Writer / Kevin Conrad, CG Sports Network
Photography / Tony Pironello; Broad Arrow; Mason Lee; Ethan Gable
The 2023 CG Trojan Football team rolled through the regular season with a 9-1 record and, once again, marched to the Semi State Finals.
Sectional 8 Semifinals Oct. 27, 2023
Franklin Central at Center Grove
Final score: 40-14 CG
CG rallied from a 14-13 deficit late in the first half with 27 unanswered points to beat FC, 40-14, in the opening round of the state tournament. Tyler Cherry threw five touchdown passes, three to Noah Coy, and two to Brevin Holubar. Matthew Yoder was the Trojans’ top rusher with 93 yards. Owen Bright had 11 tackles to lead the defense. Brody Boswell and Luke Barrett each had two interceptions, and Barrett returned one interception 47 yards for a TD. CG Head Coach Eric Moore’s program is 6-0 against the Flashes.
Sectional 8 Finals Nov. 3, 2023
Center Grove at Columbus North
Final Score: 35-12 CG
CG captured its 19th Sectional title with a convincing 35-12 win at Columbus North. Tyler Cherry threw two touchdowns and ran for one score, Matthew Yoder and Austin Hennessy each had rushing touchdowns, and Noah Coy and Tristan Baxter each had receiving TDs. Owen Bright recorded eight tackles, Nate Johnson had three sacks and Brody Boswell had an interception. CG has the longest active streak in the state for the most consecutive Sectional titles with 13 and 28 straight Sectional wins. This was the 18th Sectional title under CG Head Coach Eric Moore.
Regional Finals Nov. 10, 2023
Warren Central at Center Grove
Final Score: 14-0 CG
CG earned a hard-fought Regional title at home over Warren Central, 14-0. After a scoreless first half, the Trojans scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to win their sixth straight Regional title and 18th overall. Noah Coy caught two touchdown passes from Tyler Cherry to lead the Trojan offense. The defense recorded its first shutout of the season. Kobe Cherry had 11 tackles, including one sack, Owen Bright had 10 tackles, Ryder Woolwine had six tackles and a sack, Nate Johnson notched eight tackles, and Brody Boswell had an interception. This was the 17th Regional title under CG Head Coach Eric Moore.
Semi State Finals Nov. 17, 2023
Center Grove at Ben Davis
Final Score: 37-34 OT BD
CG’s pursuit of five straight class 6A State championship appearances ended with a 37-34 overtime loss in the Semi-state final at Ben Davis.
The three-time defending state champion Trojans trailed the Giants 28-10 late in the third quarter before mounting a valiant comeback, taking a 31-28 lead with 2:58 left in the fourth quarter. With seven seconds to play in regulation, BD kicked a game-tying field goal to force overtime. CG regained the lead at 34-31 in overtime following a 28-yard FG by Patrick Smith. On its first offensive play in OT, BD connected on a 10-yard TD pass, to win, 37-34. Indiana Mr. Football candidate, Tyler Cherry, led the Trojan offense with 406 yards passing and three touchdowns. Noah Coy had 157 yards receiving and two touchdown catches and Brevin Holubar had 118 receiving yards and a 69-yard TD reception. Matthew Yoder scored the other CG TD with a 10-yard run. Smith connected on two field goals and two PAT kicks. Owen Bright recorded eight tackles, A.J. Beggs had six tackles, and Kobe Cherry had a sack. CG ended the season with an 11-2 record, ranked number one in the 6A State Coaches’ Poll, and Sectional and Regional champs. In four seasons, the CG senior class won three State titles, three Semi-states, four Regionals, four Sectionals, two Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference titles, and three Copper Kettle Trophy games over Carmel, and amassed an impressive 51-4 overall record (26-1 home, 22-2 away, 3-1 neutral). Thank you to CG Head Coach Eric Moore, the coaching staff, and the Trojans for an amazing four years.
