Kicking off postseason play, the boys soccer team travels to Martinsville tonight where they will face off against Bloomington North in the opening round of sectionals. The 8-5-2 Trojans hope to improve their record and give the team a chance to win their sectional for the first time since 2020.

Bloomington should be a familiar opponent for the Trojans; the two teams matched up only a week ago, with Center Grove emerging victorious with a 5-3 win. Junior winger Ely Detty recognizes that with such a quick turn around, the team needs to come out of the gate firing on all cylinders.

“We have started practicing on grass which will help prepare us for the field we’re playing on this week. We have been working on attacking and defensive transitions, which I think will help us get several opportunities to get ahead of Bloomington North,” Detty said. “The key for us to win the game is to get up early. If we can find the net in the first five minutes of the game, I think the team’s confidence will sky rocket. Overall, if we just play as a team and work hard during the whole game it should be an easy win.”

When it comes to playoff games, the team with more experienced players tends to prevail. Senior midfielder Caden York understands the responsibility of being Center Grove’s most experienced player and leader.

“With this being my fourth year of going into the state tournament, I have a lot of experience with all the situations we could possibly be in,” York said. “That experience allows me to best lead this team into the postseason with the highest chance of winning.”

An underestimated key to the Trojans’ game plan is their defensive front. Center Grove has seemingly had to deal with injury after injury throughout the season, especially with players in the backfield. Despite this, sophomore defender Evan Hewitt is confident in the team’s ability to stifle the Bloomington North offensive attack. 

“It is really no question that this has been an injury-riddled season, and everyone has had to step up,” Hewitt said. “Coming into the season we all knew our team would have a much better offense than defense. With both of our senior center backs getting hurt, it has been a struggle, but by communicating with my coaches and other teammates, we have learned to adjust and play defense as one.”

The Trojans have been through ups and downs this year, but once the post season begins, every team is given a fresh start and a chance to prove themselves. 

“At this point in the season, we have put in all the work necessary to succeed,” York said. “What is more important to this team is ensuring that we all have a positive mindset and outlook. When this team has the confidence that we can win, we could go all the way in this tournament.”

Riding on the energy of four consecutive wins to finish the regular season, the Trojans enter sectionals with high expectations and confidence. Senior forward Landen Montfort knows that the momentum the team carries could prove to be pivotal in a deep tournament run.

“The four straight wins helped us find a good rhythm we needed. The team has so much talent, it’s just figuring out how to play with one another and to play for each other. These past four games we have found that piece that we needed to score goals and keep the other team from scoring,” Montfort said. “We will be carrying this into sectionals knowing that we have the talent and skill, we just need to be mentally prepared, and I know that every single one of us are.”