Every year it seems that East Central adds more hardware to the trophy case. Last fall the Trojans won their school record fifth consecutive sectional title, 24th in school history and ninth in the last 11 seasons. With the move back down to Class 4A for the next two campaigns East Central is well positioned to expand on its success.
Seven starters are back from a defense that allowed just 11.4 points per game and just 7.6 over the final eight tilts with four shutouts, a year ago. “Our team strength will be in our athleticism on defense. We return a lot of players on defense who play with aggression,” head coach Jake Meiners states. Juniors Chase McCracken, a legitimate FBS recruit and Troy Sebastian embody the unit’s athletic attacking style.
On the other side of the ball, Meiners says it all starts up front. “We will also be strong on the offensive line. We have a ton of experience and starts on the offensive line that will drive our running game. The backfield tandem of Ryan Minges and Colton Bellman have combined to run for 4,225 yards and 51 touchdowns over the past two seasons.
There are still some unknowns with the Trojans “We will need some inexperienced players to step up into key roles for us. We have a few position battles that will need to work itself out on the defensive line and at the receiver positions.,” Meiners says.
East Central will face teams that went a combined 75-33 (.694 winning %) a year ago. That includes a game at reigning Class 5A state champion, New Palestine, who knocked the Trojans out of the regionals last season. The Dragons have won 28 contests in a row and 39 of their last 40. Their last loss was to East Central in the 2023 Class 4A state championship. The following week EC heads to The Pit to take on powerhouse Elder.
Meiners laments on the benefits of the tough slate. “Our 2026 schedule is extremely difficult, it will help prepare us for the playoffs. We are looking to continue our success and make another deep postseason run.” That has become the norm at East Central and they expect nothing less.
Class 4A, Sectional 23
2025 RECORD: 9-3 Class 5A, Sectional 14; 3-0 EIAC Legends
COACH: Jake Meiners (74-16 at East Central, seven years; 74-16 overall)
TOP RETURNEES
Ryan Minges, Sr, RB, 6-0/215
Offers from: Air Force & Miami (OH)
2025 Stats: 2G, 293 RuYds & 4 RuTDs
Career Stats: 2,221 RuYds, 33 RuTDs, 6 rec., 56 ReYds & 2,277 APYds
Noah Brown, Sr, OL, 6-1/260
2026: IFCA Class 5A Junior All-State & Second Team All-TriState Football
Chase McCracken, Jr, LB,6-3/226
2025 Honors: IFCA Class 5A Jr. All-State, All-EIAC Legends & Third Team All-TriState Football
2025 Stats: 66 Tkls, 1.0 sacks, 8.0 TFLs, 1 Int & 59 IRYs
Colton Bellman, Sr, RB/LB, 5-10/190
2025 Honors: Honorable Mention All-EIAC Legends
2025 Stats: 1,589 RuYds, 13 RuTDs, 5 rec., 48 ReYds, 1,651 APYds & 3 Tkls
Career Stats: 2,004 RuYds, 18 RuTDs, 9 rec., 97 ReYds, 1 ReTD, 2,101 APYds
Troy Sebastian, Jr, DB, 6-0/195
2025 Honors: All-EIAC Legends (DB)
2025 Stats: 59 Tkls, 1.5 sacks, 3.5 TFLs, 1 FR, 1 Int & 23 IRYs
Career Stats: 86 Tkls, 1.5 sacks, 4.5 TFLs, 1 FF, 1 FR, 3 PDs, 1 BP, 2 Ints & 53 IRYs
DJ Miller, Jr, OL, 6-3/295
2025 Honors: Honorable Mention All-EIAC Legends
Sam Kreimer, Sr, OL, 6-0/260
2025 Honors: Honorable Mention All-EIAC Legends
Luke Bovard, Sr, DL, 5-10/200
2025 Stats: All-EIAC Legends (DT)
2025 Stats: 22 Tkls, 1.0 sacks, 2.0 TFLs, 1 FF & 1 PD
Noah Long, Sr, ATH, 5-11/185
2025 Honors: Honorable MentionAll-EIAC Legends (DB)
2025 Stats: 185 RuYds, 2 RuTDs, 1 rec., 44 ReYds, 311 KR/PRYs, 558 APYds, 1 PRTD, 17 Tkls, 0.5 TFLs, 5 PDs, 1 Int & 18 IRYs
Career Stats: 47 PaYds, 598 RuYds, 11 RuTDs, 6 rec., 75 ReYds, 1 ReTD, 508 KR/PRYs, 1 KRTD, 1 PRTD, 758 APYds, 15 TotTDs, 145 Tkls, 5.5 TFLs, 1 FR, 11 PDs, 4 Ints, 132 IRYs & 1 IRTD (*includes stats as a freshman and sophomore at Yorktown)
Parker Schneider, So, DL, 6-0/205
2025 Stats: 19 Tkls, 2.5 sacks, 2.5 TFLs & 1 FR
NEWCOMERS
Ben Bond, Sr, QB, 5-10/185
2025 Stats: 103 PaYds, 1 PaTD & 39 RuYds as jr. /
Chase Marsh, Jr, RB, 5-10/175
2025 Stats: 50 RuYds, 2 RuTDs & 3 Tkls
Parker Wegman, Jr, WR, 6-2/175
2025 Stats: 7 RuYds, 2 rec., 31 ReYds, 76 KR/PRYs
Hayden Bear, Jr, WR, 5-10/170
2025 Stats: 2 rec., 28 ReYds
Ace Beccaccio, Jr, OL, 6-1/255
Anderson Deters, Jr, DB, 6-1/155
PLAYOFF HISTORY (105-38)
Sectional Champion (24) –2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1989, 1987, 1985 & 1980
Regional Champion (10) – 2023, 2022, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2003, 1998, 1994, 1993 & 1985
Semi-State Champion (six) – 2023, 2022, 2017, 2015, 1994 & 1993
State Champion (four) – 2023, 2022, 2017 & 1994
2026 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/21/26 – LAWRENCEBURG (10-2 in 2025) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 08/28/26 – at New Palestine (14-0) – 7:00 PM, Class 5A state champions
Fri – 09/04/26 – at Elder (12-1)(OH) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/11/26 – FRANKLIN COUNTY (8-3) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/18/26 – BATESVILLE (3-7) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/25/26 – at Harrison (OH) (9-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/02/26 – at Connersville (4-6) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/09/26 – COLUMBUS NORTH (4-6) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/16/26 – RONCALLI (11-4) – 7:30 PM, Class 4A state runner-up
Fri – 10/23/26 – IHSAA Playoffs Class 4A, Sectional 23
