East Central, Lawrenceburg, Batesville Football Recognized at Annual Griddy Awards

Noah Knigga and Carson Pieczonka were named 2024 Indiana Football Digest Prime Time 25

Noah Knigga (left) with Carson Pieczonka. @CarsonPieczonka X Photo.

INDIANAPOLIS - Southeastern Indiana high school football was well represented at the annual Griddy Awards. 

The Indianapolis Colts hosted the event at their practice facility on Saturday. 

Those being honored included State Championship teams, Coaches of the Year, Assistant Coaches of the Year, Players of the Year, All-State Teams, and the Indiana Football Digest Prime Time 25. 

East Central was part of the State Champions Honor Roll for winning the Class 4A State Title last November. It was their second straight state championship and fourth overall. Due to their tournament success, the Trojans will play in Class 5A for the next two seasons. 

Jake Meiners was recognized as the Class 4A Coach of the Year, while Doug Hoog (Defensive Coordinator) was honored as one of two Assistant Coaches of the Year. East Central's defense was among the top in the state, allowing 6.4 points per game over 15 games. 

East Central senior running back Josh Ringer was honored as the Class 4A Player of the Year and as a member of the 2023 Big School All-State Team. Ringer ran for a single-season school record 2,880 yards and 55 touchdowns. He is signed to play college football at Miami (Oh.). 

Two returning players, Carson Pieczonka (East Central) and Noah Knigga (Lawrenceburg), were named to the 2024 Indiana Football Digest Prime Time 25 - meaning they will be featured on the cover of the 2024 Indiana Football Digest. 

Pieczonka played a key role in East Central's back-to-back championship run. The junior safety totaled 52 tackles (4.5 TFL), 5 interceptions, 13 pass breakups, a forced fumble, and blocked field goal. He visited Valparaiso University on Saturday. 

Knigga was an IFCA Junior All-State selection despite missing nearly half the season with an injury. Still, he totaled 51 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, two sacks, and two caused fumbles in only six games. He has garnered a lot of attention on the recruiting trail, taking recent visits to Arkansas State, Navy, Duke, Ohio, and Cincinnati.  

Batesville's Alex Krekeler was named to the 2023 Small School All-State Team. Krekeler led the Bulldogs with nine interceptions. 

It was an honor today to have been named as one of the top 25 football players in the state of Indiana for my class at the @TheGriddys Awards presented by the Indiana Football Digest. I’m grateful to have been surrounded by so many great athletes today. @HoosierELITE… pic.twitter.com/eLxJz8AI4S

— Carson Pieczonka (@CarsonPieczonka) April 15, 2024