After defeating Warren Central in the regional championship, Center Grove looks to extend its postseason run tonight at home against Brownsburg with a berth in the state title game on the line.
Bringing energy was key to the Trojan’s success against Warren according to junior Vinnie Hayse. The team looks to bring that same energy tonight against the Bulldogs.
“I think the energy is going to be even more than it was during Warren,” Hayse said. “The build up to this game, not even knowing in the preseason we were going to make it this far, now we know that we are, so we’re just going to go and fight.”
As he leads the offense tonight, senior quarterback Gabe McWilliams will be focusing on avoiding penalties and unforced errors, which was something he feels is the reason Lawrence North, the No.1 team in the state, lost to Brownsburg in their regional final.
“We just gotta stay consistently good. On offense, maybe we don’t do as good because we’re limiting ourselves by making mistakes and beating ourselves,” McWilliams said. “Lawrence North beat themselves. They had a lot of penalties, so we have to limit ourselves on penalties this week and just prevent ourselves from beating ourselves.”
Another key focal point for the Trojans is shutting down Brownsburg’s skill players. Sophomore wide receiver Branden Sharpe has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards this season (1,075), which is the second most in Indiana. But the Trojans believe their strength of schedule has prepared them for tonight.
“[Playing out of state opponents] helped us a lot, especially with the skill players they had on their teams,” McWilliams said. “It really prepared us in the way we have to react and make big plays.”
The game tonight is very special for both Hayse and McWilliams. For McWilliams, it will be his last football game under the lights of Ray Skillman Stadium. Because of how special this game is for all of the seniors, Hayse knows this game means that much more.
“It’s our last home game for all the seniors this year, this season,” Hayse said. “It would be really nice to have their last game at Center Grove High School to be a win.”
