North Central has best season since 2006

         Terre Haute -- North Central’s offense appeared to be still stuck in high way construction zones between Indianapolis and Terre Haute before rebounding to defeat host Terre Haute North 43-29 – attaining a winning regular season for the first time since 2006.
         North Central (5-4) will travel to Class 5A top-ranked Warren Central (9-0) Friday in the first round of the Sectional 5 state football tournament with a three-game winning streak.
         But in the first quarter, North Central’s offense appeared still stuck in traffic. The Panthers lost two fumbles in the first quarter and fell behind 14-0. But the running of Jalen McIntyre and the timely passing and running of Gavin Alexander helped North Central find the road to victory.
         The comeback started in the second quarter. Facing a third-down-and 17 from the 48-yard line, Alexander raced up the field for a 14-yard gain. On fourth-and-3, McIntyre followed with 9-yard run to keep the drive alive. Three plays later, McIntyre scored the first of his four touchdowns on a 4-yard run, making the score 14-7.
         In the second quarter, North Central continued to find its way. On its next possession, North Central used only three plays that ended with a McIntyre 8-yard run. The big play in the drive was Alexander’s 55-yard pass to wide receiver Reidus Trimble.  On the extra point, back-up quarterback and point-after touchdown holder Michael Loggan threw a pass to Matt Hicks for a two-point conversion, giving North Central a 15-14 lead. It was a lead North Central wouldn’t relinquish.
               In the quarter, Alexander was 3-of-5 passing for 94 yards. He finished the game 5-of-11 passing for 114 yards. He also had 13 carries for 74 yards. and scored on a 20-yard run.
              But it was McIntyre who had his way navigating through the Terre Haute North defense. He finished the game with 26 carries for a career-high 163 yards. He scored on runs of 4, 8, 7, and 19 yards.
                Whenever Terre Haute tried to make the game close, North Central’s defense would come up with a big play. North Central had a strong pass rush, getting a quarterback sack each from two-way linemen Darius Latham and Michael Raby and linebackers Jeff Harris and Wanya Johnson.
                Led by cornerback Melvin Graham, the North Central defensive backs also put up blockades to any Terre Haute North comeback attempts. Graham, a senior, had two interceptions. Cornerback Korey Rogan and Raby, a defensive end, each added an interception. Raby returned his pick for a 10-yard score.
               Melvin’s brother, sophomore middle linebacker Sherrod Graham, was also credited for helping to stop Terre Haute’s running game by making sideline-to-sideline tackles.
               It took a while to get there, but it may have been one of North Central’s best team efforts of the season.          

North Central's football team sings the school song to celebrate its 43-29 victory over Terre Haute North

     

North Central draws Warren Central in football sectional

            It’s official: North Central will play at Warren Central in the first round of the Class 5A Sectional 5 Indiana High School Athletic Association football tournament. According to the Sagarin ratings, which ranks every team in the state regardless of class size, Warren Central (8-0)  is ranked No.1 and North Central (4-4) is No. 13. Both teams play in the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference. Earlier this season, Warren Central defeated visiting North Central 48-16.
            The winner of the North Central-Warren Central game will play the winner of the No. 136 Arsenal Tech (4-4) vs. No. 47 Lawrence North game. No. 8 Lawrence Central (7-1) plays at No. 26 Southport (5-3). No. 33 Perry Meridian (3-5) plays at No. 2 Carmel (7-1).
            North Central is 3-3 against top 25 teams.
           Sagarin’s top 25:
1.      Warren Central (8-0)
2.      Carmel (7-1)
3.      Hamilton Southeastern (7-1)
4.      Ben Davis (7-1)
5.      Avon (7-1)
6.      Brownsburg (7-1)
7.      Cathedral (5-3)
8.      Lawrence Central (7-1)
9.      Penn (8-0)
10.  Fishers (6-2)
11.  Center Grove (5-3)
12.  Zionsville (5-3)
13.  Indianapolis North Central (4-4)
14.  Columbus North (5-3)
15.  Castle  (8-0)
16.  Bishop Luers  (7-0)
17.  Bishop Chatard (6-2)
18.  Pike (3-5)
19.  Lake Central (7-1)
20.  Homestead (8-0)
21.  Andrean (8-0)
22.  Columbus East (7-1)
23.  Crown Point (5-3)
24.  Merrillville (5-3)
25.  North Putnam (8-0)

NC fans celebrate victory at Center Grove

NC's victory formation. Gavin Alexander takes a knee to run out the clock.

NC safety Jaron Clark poses with his dad.

Lineman Darius Latham cuts the tape off his ankles after a great night of rushing the passer and blocking.

The Graham family enjoying the sweet taste of victory with son's Sherrod, No. 55, and Melvin, No. 33.

Quarterback Gavin Alexander tries not to smile following big victory.

North Central defeats Center Grove 14-7

GREENWOOD – North Central proved that it knows how to win.
                The underdog Panthers went on the road to defeat Center Grove on its Senior Night 14-7 Friday night in Indiana high school football.
                But the Panthers victory didn’t come easily, and it never does in the tough MIC, which features three top five teams in the state. But they overcame a few turnovers – including quarterback Gavin Alexander’s fumble 1-yard away from a touchdown. The fumble came after Alexander’s second straight quarterback sneak attempt in a 7-7 second-half game.
                Center Grove recovered the fumble, but North Central’s defense got the ball back to its offense.  The Panthers got the ball on their own 39-yard line and marched 61 yards on seven plays, culminating in a 9-yard touchdown pass from Alexander to wide receiver Krayshawn Brewer. Brewer’s catch gave the Panthers a 14-7 lead with 5:28 left in the game.
                Brewer finished with three catches for 25 yards. Jordan Williams led the Panthers with five catches for 45 yards.
                Center Grove got the ball back looking for a chance to tie, but North Central held the Trojans on a fourth-down play. The Panthers took over on downs. They used the running of Jalen McIntyre to run the clock out. McIntyre picked up two first downs on third and fourth down runs, helping the Panthers run out the clock.
                Alexander and McIntyre’s runs kept Center Grove off balance. McIntyre finished with 119 yards on 25 carries. He also scored the Panthers first touchdown on a 5-yard run. Alexander also had 14 carries for 46 yards to go along with 11-of-17 passing for 109 yards.
                But it’s been North Central’s defense that has contributed mightily to its victories. The Panthers shut out Terre Haute South last week 47-0, and limited Center Grove to one touchdown this week. Two-way linemen Darius Latham (DE/OT) and Michael Raby (DT/TE) have provided a consistent pass rush. Linebackers Jeff Harris and Sherrod Graham have had a big hand in stopping the opposing team’s running game.
                The Panthers (4-4) have won two straight games.

North Central ends its losing streak; tops Terre Haute South

Literally and figuratively, North Central ran away with a 47-0 Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference victory over visiting Terre Haute South Friday night in Indiana high school football, ending the Panthers four-game losing streak.

            It was also North Central’s first home victory since 2008.
            North Central’s overwhelming victory also led to two trivia questions:
            When was the last time the Panthers scored more than 40 points in a game, and when was the last time they recorded a shutout?
            Nonetheless, it was the running game and a tough defense that led to the victory.  Jalen McIntyre carried the ball 22 times and finished with 121 yards.  Halfback Kevin Davis added 62 yards on nine carries, scoring on runs of 5 and 1 yard. McIntyre also scored twice, on runs of 10 and 15 yards. Halfback Brandon Alexander also scored on a 1-yard run.
            In the air, quarterback Gavin Alexander completed 5-of-9 for 98 yards on the windy, cool day. He also had five carries for 32 yards, scoring on a 14-yard run.  Jordan Williams had three catches for 80 yards and Krayshawn Brewer had two catches for 18 yards.
             Gavin Alexander was relieved by Michael Loggan in the fourth quarter with North Central leading 40-0. Loggan kept the running attack going, scoring on a 25-yard run to end the scoring.
             North Central’s defense was also tough, getting two quarterback sacks from Michael Raby and one from Darius Latham.
             North Central (3-4) travels to MIC-rival Center Grove (5-2) on Friday.