In control of everything

Connor Campbell has never been concerned with scoring a lot of goals.

“As long as we get the win,” the Center Grove senior said, “that’s really the only thing that matters to me.”

More often than not, Campbell ends up happy.

The lone returning starter from Center Grove’s 2015 state championship team, Campbell again anchored the middle of the field for the Trojans, who repeated as sectional champions and reached the regional final.

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The senior didn’t put up huge numbers — just five goals and three assists — but his command of the field earned him the nod as the Daily Journal’s 2016 boys soccer Player of the Year.

“I’m just a guy who likes to keep possession and just keep the ball for my team,” Campbell said of his role. “I’m not the guy who’s going to score a lot goals, but I’m mainly the guys who’s going to set up my teammates so they can score.”

In addition to setting the table for the offense, Campbell was also tasked with fronting a defense that was Center Grove’s strength all year, allowing just 11 goals.

“His job is to make sure we don’t get countered on,” Trojans coach Jameson McLaughlin said.

Next fall, Campbell will man the midfield at the University of Indianapolis, which recently wrapped up its season with a trip to the finals of its conference tournament and notched double-digit wins for the fourth straight year.

It doesn’t appear Campbell will have to get accustomed to losing anytime soon.

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Connor Campbell’s career by the numbers:

Year;Goals;Assists

2014;5;1

2015;3;3

2016;5;3

Center Grove’s record during Connor Campbell’s varsity career:

2014;20-2

2015;21-2-1*

2016;12-4-3

* — won state championship

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The 2016 All-Johnson County Team for boys soccer:

Owen Atkison, Franklin sophomore: Led an explosive Grizzly Cubs offense with 17 goals and 13 assists. … Named to the All-Mid-State Conference first team.

Austin Barnard, Franklin senior: An all-conference netminder who yielded just 19 goals while making 111 saves and posting eight shutouts during a 14-2-2 season.

Gus Caito, Center Grove senior: A second-team All-District selection who quietly helped the Trojans dominate defensively and in the midfield.

Connor Campbell, Center Grove senior: The straw that stirred the drink for the Trojans both offensively and defensively. … Finished with five goals and three assists. … Will play for the University of Indianapolis next year.

Jacob Cooley, Center Grove junior: Outstanding goaltender who was scored on just nine times while making 144 saves. Posted 12 shutouts for the 12-4-3 Trojans.

Gerrit Huizinga, Greenwood Christian junior: An all-Pioneer Conference pick who collected a team-high 15 goals and added four assists.

Andrew Morgan, Whiteland senior: Center midfielder who was the top all-around player for the Warriors. … Totaled six goals and five assists.

Joe Nerding, Franklin junior: Named to the All-District second team and the all-conference first team after tallying 11 goals and 16 assists for the Grizzly Cubs.

John Nystrom, Center Grove junior: One of the anchors for a Trojan defense that held its first five opponents scoreless and gave up just 11 goals all season.

Camden Peters, Greenwood Christian senior: An all-conference choice who scored nine goals and distributed eight assists for the Cougars.

Griffin Smith, Center Grove senior: Another key cog in the Trojans’ defensive midfield. … Scored four goals, including two in a sectional victory over Martinsville, and had three assists.

Jared Wilkerson, Center Grove senior: An All-District selection who paced the Trojans’ offense with seven goals and three assists.

Honorable mention

Luke Boha, Center Grove; Hayden Borges-Hardesty, Greenwood; Griffin Huizinga, Greenwood Christian; Fernando Lopez-Perez, Franklin; Cole Mahan, Greenwood; Damon Maynard, Greenwood; Jack Neal, Center Grove; Lalen Ralte, Whiteland; Shawn Sullivan, Whiteland; E.J. Young, Franklin

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