(SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Southport’s Charlie Schott (52) drew raves from coaches for his line play on offense for the Cardinals.

By Bob White
Community Outreach

Southport’s Charlie Schott earned 6A all-state football recognition from the Indiana Football Coaches Association despite the Cardinals’ 0-10 season. The closest Southport came to winning a game was against Terre Haute North, 28-21 on Oct. 1 at Cardinal Stadium.

Schott was named a member of the 2021 6A all-state football team and also was named a member of the Conference Indiana all conference team for the second time.
 
He played offensive line where he had 36 pancake blocks and also was called upon to throw a pass for 32 yards. He also shined on defense where he blocked a fieldgoal and had a quarterback sack.

Even with the Cardinals winless season Charlie was still honored for his outstanding ability and leadership. He even played special teams as a punter where he averaged 31 yards a punt.

“Charlie will be successful in whatever he decides to do and where he decides to play college ball. He and I made a goal last season for him to be all-state and he was able to accomplish this goal through his work ethic, passion, intensity and his teammates,” said offensive line coach Micah Brown.
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He also added, “Charlie has always been a very gifted player and one of the most athletic offensive lineman I have ever had the pleasure to coach. He hasn’t made his college choice yet, but is drawing interest from Marian University and UIndy. 

​(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY AL STILLEY)
Center Grove senior and Mr. Indiana Football runner-up Caden Curry, sporting a Ohio State t-shirt, with parents Maria and Chris Curry, announces his choice of Ohio State University where he will play NCAA Division 1 football in 2022.

By Al Stilley
Editor

After announcing his college football future on a national cable network Dec. 14, Center Grove High School lineman Caden Curry - a top 100 prospect of the 2022 national recruiting class - gave a sigh of relief.
After all, OSU was the first NCAA Division 1 program to offer him a scholarship and the Buckeyes are the last team standing alongside the 6-5, 245-pound Indiana Mr. Football runner-up.
    
"It's a big weight off my chest," Curry said.  "Now it's all for the Buckeyes."

He will be in Florida with friends through next week before reporting to OSU on Jan. 10 for spring semester classes, physical conditioning, and spring football practice.

Curry finished his career by achieving the Trojans goal of capturing a historic second consecutive IHSAA 6A championship in Lucas Oil Stadium.
 
He drew praise from CGHS coach Eric Moore for the way he handled his team aspirations and waded through the recruiting process.

"He did it the right way," Moore said. "He came to my office in July and he said he really wanted to win state, that he wasn't going to put in much time on the recruiting stuff and put all his time in on winning."
Curry's decision was solidified after attending the Penn State game Oct. 30 at Buckeye Stadium.

"From the beginning, I kind of set them (OSU) as my bar and based everything off it," Curry said.  "I'm not going to have high expectations going into a big program.  I'll have to work really hard, do the lifting and get as big as I can."

Curry joins one of OSU's best recruiting classes and will be a teammate with former Beech Grove High School lineman Josh Fryar, who talked with him occasionally through the recruiting process.

Coaches from OSU and Indiana University visited with Curry last week. I.U. and Alabama were among his final three.

"Telling them (I.U.) definitely hurt and hurt coach Allen but a (decision) had to be made at some point," Curry admitted.

One of 28 Trojan football seniors, Curry made 65 tackles with 24 for losses behind the line of scrimmage, and seven sacks this season. He finished his four-year CGHS career with 290 tackles, 83.5 for a loss, and 28 sacks.

He was among three finalists for Indiana's Mr. Football, including winner Gibson Southern quarterback Brady Allen, a Purdue recruit, and Westfield running back Micah Hauser. Center Grove running back Carson Steele, now playing for Ball State University, was the 2020 Indiana Mr. Football.

Curry's football journey that began in CG youth football and continued through middle school and high school has reached OSU where he will prepare for the ultimate football future in the NFL.
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One day after Curry’s announcement, five teammates signed NCAA Division 1 letters-of-intent, including James Schott, Michigan State; Kalen Carroll, Cincinnati; Sam Buras, Ball State; Shane Bennett, Indiana State; and Tayven Jackson, Tennessee.