Austin Watson would have been ecstatic if told he would make 14 field goals over the course of his high school football career.
Imagine the Center Grove junior’s reaction to doing it in his first 10 games.
Watson, who is called on to kick off and handle field goals and point-after kicks for the Trojans, has been a much-needed model of consistency leading into tonight’s Class 6A sectional final against Franklin Central.
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Should a drive stall at or inside the opposing team’s 30-yard line, Center Grove has options. Watson booted three field goals in against both New Palestine and Cathedral during the regular season, and made a career-best 48-yarder at Lawrence Central.
“That was pretty awesome. It was really exciting,” said Watson, who has also made all 25 of his point-after attempts. “It’s been a blessing, for sure. It’s been nice having the opportunities that I’ve had, and it’s been a fun season so far.
“I try to avoid all the stats and stuff. My priority is this team, and that’s what I want to be focused on.”
Over the summer, Watson attended a weekly kicking camp at Warren Central. Fittingly, his varsity debut in August was at that same facility.
Injuries to junior back Carson Steele have limited Center Grove’s ability to punctuate drives with touchdowns from the outset. As a result, Watson’s accuracy and cool-under-pressure persona became increasingly important as the season progressed.
“Even after the first couple of games, I thought it might just be a strange way we started the year. But then, by the Carmel game, you’re counting on him,” Trojans coach Eric Moore said. “Austin has, by far, exceeded my expectations. This is a kicker, but he works so hard in everything.”
Last season, the Trojans’ offense averaged 3.5 touchdowns a game, compared to the 2.2 trips to the end zone the offense is making this fall. Luke Eckert, Center Grove’s kicker from 2016-18, finished with 48 points last season; Watson exceeded that number by Week 8 and is currently at 67.
Watson is the latest in the long line of outstanding kickers at Center Grove in Moore’s 21 seasons. There is one area, however, where the junior has stood out.
“Austin was our JV kicker last year, but he’s made as much of an improvement from June 1 to Aug. 1 as any kicker I’ve ever had,” Moore said. “And then from Aug. 1 to Nov. 1, he’s just consistently gotten better and better. As his confidence has raised, he’s gotten even better.
“The No. 1 thing is his confidence. We didn’t put him out there and tell him he had to kick a bunch of 50-yard field goals. We started him in short-range stuff and got him feeling good with his extra points. Austin takes pride in every little aspect of it.”
The process starts with sophomore defensive end Caden Curry, who doubles as the long snapper on kicks. It continues with Harrison Luck’s handling and placement of the football and concludes with Watson’s kicks.
“First, you have to be technically proper. It varies from kicker to kicker, but there are basics you have to have drilled down,” Watson said. “You have to be laser focused on what you’re going to do and how you’re going to do it.”
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TONIGHT’S SECTIONAL FINALS
Class 6A
Franklin Central at Center Grove, 7 p.m.
Class 5A
Franklin at New Palestine, 7 p.m.
Class 4A
Lebanon at Roncalli, 7 p.m.
Tickets: $6
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