Despite its narrow defeat in the Class 6A title game, Center Grove was arguably the best high school football team in the state of Indiana over the course of the 2016 season.
The Trojans, not surprisingly, were well represented when the Indiana Football Coaches Association released their All-State teams over the weekend.
Five Center Grove players were among those tabbed to the IFCA’s Top 50, those considered the best in the state regardless of class. Russ Yeast — considered a leading candidate for Mr. Football — was chosen at running back, Clay Hadley at offensive line, Dan Root and Parker Ferguson on the defensive line and Bailey Bennett at linebacker.
Whiteland defensive lineman Ryder Emberton was also a Top 50 pick, as was Roncalli offensive lineman Ben Walesky.
Four other Center Grove players were named to the 6A All-State teams. Offensive lineman Nick Davis and safety Logan Bontrager made the Senior All-State squad, while defensive lineman Cole Williams and punter P.J. Buck were Junior All-State picks. Buck was one of six sophomores selected for that team.
On the Class 5A Senior All-State team, Whiteland’s Tarnjeet Singh and Franklin’s Alex Van Dyke were picked on the offensive line, and Whiteland kicker Jacob Ballain was also tabbed.
Unbeaten state champion Roncalli was represented on the Class 4A Senior All-State team by quarterback Derek O’Connor and linebacker Josh Swan. They were joined on that team by Greenwood defensive back Dylan Rosado.
Greenwood defensive lineman Nick Young and Roncalli linebacker Cade Morgan were chosen as 4A Junior All-Stars.
