November 30, 2008

When you believe

       The fire trucks were out in Center Grove late Saturday night, but the only thing hot on this crisp November night was the Trojans' state champion football team.  A motorcade of White River Township fire trucks led the team to Center Grove Gymnasium, where 2,500 red-clad fans waited to greet their heroes.  Coach Eric Moore and his team entered the celebration with the state championship trophy held high as Center Grove students flowed out of the stands to greet their team at center court.  Moore and the Trojans acknowledged the support of the fans as key to the team's improbable 36-33 comeback win against Carmel.  You have no idea what it means to the players and coaches to come into (Lucas Oil Stadium) and see that place three-fourths full of Trojan fans," Moore said.  But it was the faith of the fans that especially moved the coach.  With 6:40 left in the state championship game and his Trojans trailing Carmel 33-14, Moore recalled, "I could hear the students chanting, 'We believe, we believe, we believe.'"  And the Trojans did believe, he said.  "When it came down to it, our character showed tonight," Moore said.  "When you believe, this is what can happen. Center Grove is state champion."  Seniors took turns addressing the crowd during the 30-minute rally.  "We're still in shock. You probably are, too," senior guard Trey Thompson said of the greatest come-from-behind victory in Class 5A history. "We are going to remember this forever."  Tanner Riley joked that the Trojans, a traditional running team, mounted their comeback through the air.  "Who said the wing-T offense couldn't pass, baby?" he asked the crowd. Riley caught four of quarterback Jordan Luallen's 13 completions, including a 49-yard strike that set up the Trojans' first touchdown.

         Athletics Director Jon Zwitt said the outcome was typical of games between Carmel and Center Grove.  "Someone asked me in the fourth quarter what I thought," he said. "Carmel games always come down to the finish. It is always the last play, the last series. Tonight, it was no different."  "They can keep the kettle. We've got the trophy," Zwitt said in reference to Carmel's 33-32 last-minute regular-season win for the Copper Kettle traveling trophy.  Zwitt reminded the crowd that the football victory gives Center Grove its third state championship of the fall. The boys tennis team and girls cross country runner Sarah Higgens won championships earlier in November.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)
 
    

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