By MICHELLE GARMON
RGarmon@cherryroad.com
SHARPSVILLE — Tri-Central ended last season by winning four of its last five games. The loss came to Carroll in the sectional championship. The Trojans followed up with an off-season filled with hard work and are hoping to carry the momentum over into the 2024 campaign.
“We have low numbers but extremely hard-working kids,” Trojan coach Shane Arnold said. “They have definitely put in the work this off-season, and I am excited to see it pay off on the field. We have great competition going on for spots on both sides of the ball. We are led by an amazing group of seniors with a solid foundation of juniors, and our underclassmen are well versed and football smart. And I am excited to see us grow as the season comes at us.”
Tri-Central kicks off the season at Madison-Grant on Friday night. TC’s first home game is against Wes-Del on Friday, Aug. 30.
The Trojans graduated three key two-way starters from last season’s 5-7 squad – running back/linebacker Gatlin Hinkle, guard/defensive tackle Jarron Helmrick, and offensive/defensive tackle Connor Callaway. But they return several key starters.
The offensive starters back this fall are tight end Aaron Hoback, tight end Izzy Fowler, left tackle Patrick Kinney, running back Jacob Cline, running back Jimmy Rincon, running back Jaden Archer, running back Slater Farmer, and quarterback Brody Arnold. Paul Henry and Tate Strebin also return but are moving to left guard and right tackle, respectively.
On the defensive side of the ball, TC returns Rincon at outside linebacker, Kinney at defensive tackle, Strebin at defensive tackle, Cline at linebacker, Hoback at linebacker, Farmer at linebacker, Caden Eller at defensive back, Fowler at defensive back, and Archer at safety.
Jonathon Deweese is a player expected to contribute this season as a tight end and linebacker.
“Our team chemistry and family atmosphere are incredible this year and a huge strength for us,” coach Arnold said. “We are led by an amazing group of seniors and our line play should lead us on both sides of the ball, both offense and defense. We have a lot of experience at running back, linebacker, tight end and safety, and I’m hoping those positions will lead us through good and bad times.”
Coach Arnold and his staff are looking for improvement in some areas as the season goes on to make TC ready for the postseason.
“Our depth on the line and at linebacker has to improve,” the Trojan coach said. “Our football knowledge has to improve in our second and third teams, so that we can use those kids to get other kids some rest and not have so many kids playing both ways all the time.”
The Trojans’ 2024 schedule is unchanged. Tri-Central begins Hoosier Heartland Conference play at Sheridan in Week 3. TC will then play three straight conference games at home. The Trojans will be on the road in Weeks 7 and 8 before closing out the regular season at home against Clinton Central.
Carroll, Eastern and Sheridan have battled for the HHC title the past three seasons and though they all lost some key players, they should be strong again.
“All the teams in our conference are solid, well-coached, physical, fast and a lot are ranked,” coach Arnold said. “In Class A, Taylor, Carroll, and Sheridan are all ranked. Eastern is ranked in 2A. Clinton Central, Clinton Prairie, Delphi are all solid programs with great staffs and kids.”
The Trojans are in a different Class A sectional this season. A sectional that includes three other HHC teams – Clinton Central, Clinton Prairie and Sheridan. Cloverdale, Indianapolis Tindley and Irvington Prep round out the seven-team sectional. One team will get a first-round bye.
The coaching staff has undergone a few minor changes. Jason Eller and Ray Sheppard are no longer on the staff, while Josh Ousley, Josh Marley, Nate Sayers and Craig Barr are new additions.
Coach Arnold again points to the offseason as what could be a key to a successful season for the Trojans.
“The offseason was amazing,” he said. “Numbers, attitudes and effort were incredible overall,” the Trojans coach said. “Weight sessions, core days and field days. I am extremely happy and proud of all these young men and their hard work they put in this offseason. We made a focus of concentrating on the little things.”
And as far as what he expects from his team on Friday nights?
“Compete at a high level every Friday night,” coach Arnold said. “Have a winning season. Stay healthy, improve every day and every week and make a deep run in the tournament.”
That starts on Friday night at Madison-Grant.
