Indiana football preview: New class, no Josh Ringer, same title goals for East Central
ST. LEON, Indiana – The football team at East Central High School was so dominant last season that it would be a hard act to follow no matter what.
The Trojans will face many challenges as they head into a new season, but they will have the same goals.
“I’ve seen incredible growth this offseason,” head coach Jake Meiners said. “I’m really happy with where our program’s at. The expectations don’t change. We want to put the best product we can on the field on a Friday night. We hope to win each Friday night and hopefully that carries us through the playoffs.”
East Central won its second consecutive Indiana Class 4A championship last year. The Trojans won it in dominant fashion, going 15-0 and winning their games by an average score of 49-6. They also had Josh Ringer, who had one of the best senior seasons and overall careers by a running back in Greater Cincinnati history on his way to winning Indiana Mr. Football honors.
Now in Oxford with the Miami RedHawks, Ringer is one of a hefty amount of seniors who graduated from the 2023 team.
The Trojans will also try to win a third straight state title in a higher class. East Central has moved up to Class 5A under the Indiana High School Athletic Association’s tournament success rules.
“Graduation is a healthy thing,” Meiners said. “We love those guys. We love that they are moving on with their lives or they’re moving on to college football. It’s fun to root them on. Man, did they leave a mark on our program. It’s nice to see what the next wave of guys are going to do.”
East Central is in a new sectional with Columbus East (3-7 in 2023), Franklin Community (5-5) and Seymour (6-5). The Trojans haven’t played any of those teams since beating Seymour in 2016. East Central is 9-4 all-time against Seymour, 9-2 in the playoffs. East Central is 3-8 all-time against Columbus East, all in the playoffs, including their last meeting in 2014. Columbus East has 13 sectional titles and three state titles.
“Anytime a public school in Indiana can get pushed up a class, it’s honestly an honor,” Meiners said. “Not many public schools have been pushed up to the next class. The difference between 4A and 5A is the depth you have to have to win each week. That’s something we’ve discussed a bit in the offseason: Building that depth, ensuring our entire roster is ready to go. But they still play 11 on offense and 11 on defense, so we feel like if we go out there and execute, we’ll put ourselves in good situations.
The 2024 schedule is identical to recent years and just as challenging, which will help the Trojans. In addition to the league foes, East Central again plays Ohio Division I state semifinalist Moeller (10-5 in 2023), OHSAA Division II power Harrison (9-4) and perennial Indianapolis power Roncalli (4-7).
“We play some bigger schools, great competition to prepare ourselves for playoff football,” Meiners said. “This year is going to be no different.”
East Central has 10 straight winning seasons and has won 10 or more games in eight of the last nine campaigns. Meiners is 57-9 in five seasons at the helm of his alma mater.
This year’s team has only three returning starters on each side of the ball, but also several players who got quality playing time.
Sophomore Ryan Minges has the early pressure of replacing Ringer as the feature back. He had 411 rushing yards and four touchdowns last season.
Junior Nolan Maple will take over at quarterback for record-setting veteran starter Cole Burton. Maple has been Burton’s backup for the last two years and has a good command of the offense.
Juniors Eli Sehlhorst and Ethan Feldkamp will lead the receiving corps, helping fill the void left by dynamic playmakers Ryan Brotherton and Dylan Maxwell.
Preseason all-state selection Wyatt Smith returns to anchor the offensive line with returning starters Gavin Osterman and Noah Brown. Meiners said he loves the depth and skill of the entire OL group.
The defense is led by senior co-captains Carson Pieczonka in the secondary and Alex Kuhn at linebacker.
Senior linebacker Cole Sebastian is the leading returning tackler with 62 including seven for loss. Seniors Brendin Kolter and Braden Becknell were disruptive forces on the defensive line last season and will come back for more.
East Central’s fierce defense last year was overshadowed by its superstar-led offense, but Meiners feels the defense could lead the way early as the new offensive starters gain experience.
“I feel that our linebackers are going to be the identity of this team,” he said. “They’re tough-nosed. They’re aggressive. They play extremely hard and extremely physical. We look for them to not only lead our defense but lead our team.”
Lawrenceburg
2023 record: 8-3, lost 3A sectional final
Head coach: Ryan Knigga (14th season, 120-40).
Players to watch: Noah Knigga TE/MLB, D’Kari Mucker RB/OLB, Logan Fehr OL, Noah Redar OL/DL, Landon Cornett RB/DB, Keaton McGrath WR, Crue Gilmour DB, Bryce Hedrick OL, Keagan Sturgill OL, Zachary Nagele OL, Emrick Engel SS, Vander LaBazzo LB.
The Tigers will rely on a strong defense and a veteran offensive line in the early going as they work in a new quarterback and offensive weapons.
The senior class has gone 32-7, including a trip to the 3A state championship game in 2022.
The Tigers have one of the best players in Indiana, senior Noah Knigga, who has committed to Eastern Michigan University. He will play there on defense and is an impact player on offense as well for the Tigers. A four-year starter, he is a top tackler and blocker for the Tigers.
South Dearborn
2023 record: 5-5, lost in first round of 3A sectional
Head coach: Rand Ballart
The Knights lost veteran quarterback Adam Kunkel to graduation. They return junior Brady Ballart, who was the leading rusher and second-leading tackler. He had 525 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Senior Ryan Richard had 36 catches for 444 yards and eight touchdowns and senior Carson Cheek had 433 rushing yards and eight scores. The Knights return several key players on defense in addition to Ballart.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Indiana high school football 2024 preview: East Central, Lawrenceburg
