(12-2, 6A) Trojans reached 6A state title game against Penn last year … in semifinals for sixth straight year … 30 seniors dot the roster … coach Eric Moore, 173-56, in 19th year with Trojans … gone are three of state’s best running backs, Russ Yeast, Titus McCoy and Trevor Hohlt, combined for 3,528 all-purpose yards …junior Jake Moore becomes the new signal-caller … tight end Cory Heinrichs and D-linemen Tyler Watson (67 tackles) and Brett Boswell (28 tackles) only returning starters … Cole Williams (50 tackles) and Lucas Hunter (29 tackles) to be counted on … rugged Austin Daming, off two years with injury, lacks playing time but adds defensive strength … returning linebackers Aaron Gin, Patrick Brickley, Jonah Hays, Gleason Mappes and Tommy Robinson combined for 60-plus tackles … O-backs interchangeable with fullback Cameron Petty, sweeper Gavin Matheson, versatile Sam Hohlt and senior Alonzo Johnson Jr. ... Lucas Doyle adds size (6-5, 265 pounds) at tight end … Jake Keith and Riley Rogers are prime receivers and can block … O-line features Justin Tolle, Eric Nitiss, Gunner Lepper, AJ Weise, Aaron Snow and Skylar Spetter but most spots are open … many juniors up from unbeaten JV team … PJ Buck punting game looms large … traditional tough early schedule: Friday at powerful Warren Central; Aug. 25 Whiteland; Sept. 1 at Carmel; and Sept. 8 Ben Davis.
Coach’s comments: “This is a typical situation for a (6A) high school where you play a very strong schedule and have to play your seniors the majority of the minutes in every game. We don’t have the luxury of playing 50 kids in a game because of our schedule. Ninety percent of our players back have not been on the field on a Friday night when it counts.
“We lost mostly two-year starters off the line, who were robots out there. We have good leaders. Wing-T is not quarterback-driven. In our system the quarterback is told that he doesn’t have to be the one to win the game – just don’t lose the game. We lost three of the best running backs in Indiana in one class. Our backfield this year can go from tight wing-T to a spread without changing players. We have size but need more toughness. We’ll never play anybody better than our first four game, so let’s tee it up and get to Week 10 (playoffs).
Coach’s comments: “This is a typical situation for a (6A) high school where you play a very strong schedule and have to play your seniors the majority of the minutes in every game. We don’t have the luxury of playing 50 kids in a game because of our schedule. Ninety percent of our players back have not been on the field on a Friday night when it counts.
“We lost mostly two-year starters off the line, who were robots out there. We have good leaders. Wing-T is not quarterback-driven. In our system the quarterback is told that he doesn’t have to be the one to win the game – just don’t lose the game. We lost three of the best running backs in Indiana in one class. Our backfield this year can go from tight wing-T to a spread without changing players. We have size but need more toughness. We’ll never play anybody better than our first four game, so let’s tee it up and get to Week 10 (playoffs).
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