The Trojans lost 16 starters to graduation, but there is plenty of talent returning in 2024.

EAST CENTRAL TROJANS

Head Coach: Jake Meiners (57-9 in 6th year at school)
2023: 15-0 (won Class 4A State Championship 42-14 over NorthWood)
Graduated 22 seniors: Robbie Bleh, Cory Helms, Jace Dorsey, Cole Burton, Eli Ertel, Moses Wheat, Chase Bellman, Josh Ringer, Jacob Genetti, Ryan Brotherton, AJ Garrison, Caden Wheat, Dylan Maxwell, Logan Morris, Connor Kuhn, Brayden Rouse, RJ Seig, Collin Engle, Noah Schneider, Michael Hilliker, Nolan Howard, Jentzen Carter. 

There is only one school in the state that can say they have had a better two year run than the East Central Trojans. 

Over the past two seasons, East Central has gone 28-2 with two Class 4A State Championship wins. The only team to outdo that is Indianapolis Lutheran, who is unbeaten the past two years in Class 1A.

Due to their tournament success factor, the Trojans will move up to Class 5A this season and next, making their quest for a third straight state title more challenging, but not impossible.

The Trojans return some key pieces on defense, the offensive line, and a sophomore running back that is already garnering attention from Division I schools. 

OFFENSE: Junior Nolan Maple is expected to take over as the starting quarterback in St. Leon. He takes the reigns of the offense following the graduation of three-year starter Cole Burton. The Ohio Dominican commit threw for 4,862 yards and 62 touchdowns (school record) as a Trojan. Maple, voted a team captain for 2024, completed 6-of-7 passes for 43 yards in limited action last season. 

In the backfield, sophomore Ryan Minges returns as the feature back. He has the unenviable task of replacing Indiana Mr. Football Josh Ringer, who set too many records to list during his time at East Central. Last season, Ringer ran for 2,880 yards and 55 touchdowns (both school records). Minges showed flashes of brilliance in 2023, rushing for 411 yards and four touchdowns on 69 carries. In April, Minges received his first D1 offer from Miami (Oh.). 

The Trojans will also have a whole new set of starting receivers following the graduation of Western Michigan commit Ryan Brotherton, Mount St. Joseph commit Robbie Bleh, and Cory Helms. New faces at wideout are Ethan Feldcamp, Aaron Mayer, Trevor Perkins, Eli Sehlhorst, and Carson Ibold are battling for playing time. 

Anthony Darpel (6'3", 220) is a player the coaching staff is excited about at tight end after playing a bunch of JV last season. He is joined by Blake Woobler, who has a similar build and has also developed into a better player this offseason. 

On the offensive line, the Trojans return three starters in sophomore Noah Brown, senior captain Wyatt Smith, and senior Gavin Osterman. Logan Bleh and Sam Kreimer are battling to start at center, while Wyatt Metcalf, Hank Timon, and Logan Colyer and competing to start at a tackle spot. 

DEFENSE: Senior safety Carson Pieczonka returns as a leader on the defense. He was named to Indiana Football Digest Prime Time 25 this preseason. As a junior, Pieczonka totaled 52 tackles, five interceptions, and 13 passes defended.

The Trojans also return experienced players in the front seven such as Cole Sebastian, Alex Kuhn, Brendin Kolter, and Brayden Becknell. Between the four, the combined for 23.5 tackles for a loss and 13 sacks in 2023. Reamus Reatherford and Trey Nishime are other guys you will see up front, while Jake Lutz, Jake Bear, Troy Sebastian figure in at linebacker. 

In the secondary, Gavin Berting, Karson Dorsey, Matthew Roy, Nyden Euson, Mitchell Karris, and Carson Roth are striving for starting spots and/or playing time.  

SPECIAL TEAMS: Senior kicker Nathan McFee returns as one of the best kickers in the region. He converted 87-of-91 PATs in 2023, and connected on 2-of-4 field goals, including a long of 29-yards. McFee also averaged 48.4 yards on kickoffs, including 41 touchbacks. 

COACH COMMENTS WITH JAKE MEINERS: 

On last season:

"I think what a lot of people don't see that I got to see on a weekly basis was their preparation. It's easy as a teenager to get overconfident. Our guys truly went through the process each week no matter who the opponent was, preparing mentally and physically for that week. When our guys stepped on the field, they were prepared for the moment, each game and each opportunity as it came. Just an incredible season for us. First time in school history we've been 15-0. To go back-to-back state champs, you couldn't ask for a better season. Now, the challenge is to move forward and take on new challenges." 

On continued success:

"We graduated 16 of our 22 starters. It's time for new faces to step up. It's time for new faces to make names for themselves in our program. I think our guys have a chip on their shoulder a little bit. They understand what has taken place over the last couple years and they understand the expectations in our program. The expectations don't change on a yearly basis."

On new offensive playmakers:

"Throughout the first few weeks, it's really going to be pivotal for those guys to grow up in a hurry. And those guys have played minutes before, but maybe weren't required to do as much that is going to be asked of them this fall. But a really, really talented group."

On linebacking core:

"We feel really good about our linebacking core. I feel like they will be the identity of our football team. Just tough nosed, aggressive group that really gets after it."

On moving to Class 5A:

"Very few public schools have had to make the jump because of success. First of all, it's just a huge honor to get success factored to the next level. Six years ago, when these guys were in middle school we got together as a coaching staff, as a team, as a program and said we want to put ourselves in the upper Eschelon of Indiana high school football, and I think we have an opportunity to do that. Yes, you do that with back-to-back state championships but if can go and make a run at it in a level you really aren't supposed to be competing at you can really put your program on a different level than most."