How Center Grove Can Bounce Back

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After winning a state championship for three-straight seasons (2020-2023) in dominating fashion (they only lost two games in those three years), Center Grove has come up short over the past two seasons by the slimmest of margins: a 31-27 loss to Brownsburg in 2024 and a 37-34 overtime loss to [player_tooltip player_id='1630653' first='Ben' last='Davis'] in 2023, both in semi-state action. The Bulldogs and Giants went on to win a state championship, leaving the Trojans asking what-ifs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But hope springs aplenty for Center Grove and head coach Eric Moore's team in 2025. They have more than enough talent to go back to Lucas Oil and win the 6A state championship for the first time since 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's three reasons why they can get it done:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='826779' first='Oscar' last='Sloan'].</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The talented rising sophomore will start his first varsity season, and Sloan has plenty of potential. At 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, the Brad Maendler-trained gunslinger has the goods. He has impressed at college camps this summer, already holds nine Division I offers and throws a nice ball. He had 1,250 yards and 26 touchdowns on junior varsity last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":2} --> <ol start="2" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A great supporting cast around him.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1692945' first='Charlie' last='Mandabach'] returns at offensive tackle; he had a strong showing at the Indianapolis Mega Camp and could be a late-bloomer as a recruit. C.J. Scifres, an Indiana commit, returns at guard. Tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1050823' first='Dominick' last='Barry'], who also plays in the slot, is a tall and talented receiver committed to Wake Forest, giving Sloan a big target to throw to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":3} --> <ol start="3" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Talented returners on defense.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='401652' first='Kobe' last='Cherry'] is a force to be reckoned with up-front for the Trojans. The 6-foot-6, 285-pound defensive lineman chose Purdue over Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Washington and several others. Keep an eye on linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1701571' first='Franky' last='Hayse'], who recorded 60 tackles last season, and sophomore inside linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1694729' first='Trew' last='Paxson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->