2026 Team Preview: East Central Returns to Class 4A as Top-Ranked Team

The Trojans will host Lawrenceburg to kick off the season on Friday, August 21.

Head Coach: Jake Meiners (74-16 in 8th year)
2025: 9-3 (EIAC Champs, Sectional Champs, lost to New Palestine in the Regional Championship)
Players Lost to Graduation: Jake Beare (TE/LB), Karson Dorsey (WR/DB), Eli Sehlhorst (WR/DB), Nolan Maple (QB), Carson Ibold (WR/DB), Ethan Feldkamp (WR/DB), Leland Kahny (K), Aaron Mayer (WR/DB), Zamir Whitaker (RB/DB), Nyden Euson (DB), Carson Roth (DB), Tank Chambers (RB)/LB), Jake Lutz (TE/LB), Liam Cox (K), Haiden Melton (OL/DL), Camlin Schuster (OL/DL), Gavin Osterman (OL/DL), Logan Colyer (OL/DL), Cody Riehle (OL/DL), Hank Timon (OL/DL), Evan Deters (OL/DL), Trey Nishime (DL)

Crunch Time Episode: Crunch Time - August 3, 2026 - Crunch Time - Eagle Country 99.3

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It was a successful two-year run for the East Central Trojans at the 5A level. Moving up based on success 
factor after winning back-to-back state titles in 2022 and 2023, the Trojans captured consecutive sectional titles in Class 5A. 

The Trojans' postseason run ended at the regional round, where they were defeated by eventual 5A State Champs New Palestine.

Now the Trojans return to Class 4A, where they begin the season as the top-ranked team in the IFCA Preseason Poll. 

OFFENSE

Historically, the Trojans have relied on the run game to power their offense. This season will be no different with the return of Ryan Minges and Colton Bellman. Bellman ended the 2025 season as the Trojans' top rusher with 1,589 yards and 13 touchdowns. Minges appeared in only two games last season after sustaining an ankle injury. The previous season, he rushed for 1,517 yards and 25 touchdowns. 

The dynamic duo will run behind an experienced offensive line led by seniors Noah Brown (Junior All-State in 2025) and Samuel Kreimer, and junior DJ Miller. Ace Beccaccio, Danniel Tupper, and Parker Schneider are some others in the mix for playing time, according to Head Coach Jake Meiners. 

Ben Bond has waited his turn to start at quarterback for the Trojans. In limited action as a junior, Bond went 7-for-9 for 103 yards and a touchdown. 

He will have a whole new slew of wideouts to throw the ball to after EC graduated their top four pass-catchers from a season ago. Parker Wegman and Peyton Fleming have solidified themselves at wideout. Solomon Wheat, Hayden Bear, Ethan Wynn, Chase Marsh, Troy Sebastian and Noah Long have all repped at receiver in the offseason. 

Michael Burke is expected to start at TE. 

DEFENSE

The Trojans' defense is typically stingy. East Central has not allowed more than 14 points per game since 2016. Last season, the Trojans held opponents to 11.6 points per contest. 

East Central lived in the opponent's backfield a season ago, totaling 53 tackles for a loss and 16 sacks. The defense was opportunistic as well, causing 20 turnovers (15 INT / 5 fumble recoveries). 

In 2026, the Trojans return IFCA Junior All-State linebacker Chase McCraken and fellow junior Troy Sebastian. The duo finished at the Trojans' top two tacklers as sophomores. Jared Cox and Will Graf round out a solid linebacking group. 

In the secondary, East Central will lean on returning players such as Noah Long and Mitchell Karaus. Anderson Deters and Cohen Scudder have had strong offseasons as they push for key roles in the defensive backfield. 

Up front, Luke Bovard is the lone starter returning. Adam Williams and Jake Sillis have been in the mix, along with Noah Brown, DJ Miller and Parker Schneider. 

SPECIAL TEAMS

For the first time in program history, the Trojans have a kicker from all four classes. Currently, Blake Sterwerf (Sr.) and Pedro Slazar (Jr.) are battling for kicking duties on Friday nights. Noah Long returns at punter. 

SEASON GOALS

Head Coach Jake Meiners: 

"Expectations are always extremely high in St. Leon. The expectation is that you go out and win a conference first. Then you go set your sights on the sectional. Everyone's goal is to walk out, hopefully for the seniors, as state champions. That's where our program has been at. What I try to instill in these guys is enjoy it. These seniors have 10 guaranteed games left, so enjoy the process, enjoy the moment. Never let trying to conquer the state championship goal be the focus every single day. Try to win the day, try to win the small moments, and those big moments will take care of themselves."