Are You Ready For Some Football?

This was North Central football players in the fall of 2009. In the front row, to the right, is Colin Alexander during his senior year. 

North Central High School grads Jamel Edwards and Colin Alexander after a victory while playing for Hanover College.

This is Lawrence North's Trent Minter as a freshman. He will be competing for a starting QB spot for LN.

This is Gavin Alexander, above and below, he recently transferred from UIndy to Hanover College.

Behind center is quarterback Gavin Alexander during his freshman year at North Central High School.

North Central High School football seniors from the class of  2010.

In a UIndy practice, Gavin was about to show off his strong arm.

This is a shot from a beautiful fall day as Hanover College played at Anderson University.

Lawrence Central's finish equals victory over North Central

By Vince Alexander

     Ask any coach: It’s not how you start; it’s how you finish.
     That’s how the slow turtle beat the fleet-footed hare. And that’s how host Lawrence Central defeated upset-minded North Central, 34-31, in a Metropolitan Interscholastic high school football game.

     After watching five of his last six passes fall well short of connecting to his receivers, Lawrence Central quarterback Tyler Redfern had exactly one minute left to finish the game strong and guide his team to a victory.
     Redfern did just that. After North Central quarterback Michael Loggan scored on a 1-yard run, putting the Panthers ahead 34-27 with 1:06 left, Lawrence Central began to put the finishing touches on the victory. The Bears returned the kickoff to the Panthers’ 44-yard line. Redfern misfired on his first pass before he began to connect to wide receiver Kenny Jones. Then he connected with Jones for 16 yards down the right sideline, putting the ball at the 28. A pass interference call moved the ball to the 14—setting up the game-winner.
     With 38.2 seconds left, Redfern, who had missed several throws into the end zone in the third quarter, finally connected with Jones in the back of the end zone. The throw was perfect and Jones did a great job of getting his feet inbounds for the touchdown. The extra point was good, giving Lawrence Central a 34-31 lead. 
     Redfern finished the game 11-of-23 passing for 126 yards. Jones and Will King caught four passes each for LC. Juanyel Holmes added two catches for 85 yards.
    However, North Central has also been told about finishing strong, and showed their resiliency by overcoming a 27-10 third-quarter lead. The Panthers had one last chance with 30.8 second left buried at their own 19-yard line. Loggan, who helped them come back, was unable to do it again. After he threw two incomplete passes, he was facing a third-down-and 10. He raced out of the pocket trying to make a play, but was hit and fumbled the ball away to LC to end the game.
     Loggan finished the game 16-of-34 passing for 168 yards. Teammate Demond Roberson had 13 carries for 96 yards for North Central, including TD runs of 35 and 5 yards. Milton McClain added 14 carries for 66 yards. McClain had an 8-yard TD run.

Pike confirms it belongs in the MIC

By Vince Alexander

     It was initiation time for Pike.
     Pike, playing at home in its popsicle-red uniforms, triumphed in its first game as a member of the powerful Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference with a 41-22 high school football victory over North Central, kicking off the 2013 season.
     Pike and defending state champion Lawrence Central have joined the MIC, replacing Terre Haute North and Terre Haute South. The Red Devils will be joining Lawrence North, Ben Davis, Carmel, Center Grove, and Warren Central in arguably one of the toughest conferences in the country.
     Led by quarterback Brent Lyles and linebacker Quentin Moon, Pike was ready for the challenge against North Central’s dink-and-dunk offense. Pike led 21-15 at the half, before Lyles began to connect with his receivers. With only a six-point lead, Lyles took the Red Devils on an 8-play, 65-yard drive. He finished it off with a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Devin Pearson, building the third-quarter lead to 28-15.
     Pike’s defense helped set up the lead. Moon had two tackles for losses in the quarter and the Red Devils got the ball for Myles and company after recovering a fumble.
     However, North Central showed why the MIC is tough. The Panthers responded when running back Milton McClain caught a dump-off pass from quarterback Michael Loggan, broke several tackles and a few Pike ankles with his dazzling moves before racing down the right sideline for a touchdown. Loggan finished the game 22-of-34 for 209 yards.
     On defense, North Central linebacker’s Sherrod Graham and Jeff Harris were making tackles all evening. But Lyles kept them off balance with his passing. After McClain’s impressive catch and run, Lyles helped Pike score 13 unanswered points. He scored on a 1-yard run, but the extra point was blocked by Graham. His final score came on a 36-yard pass to Dominique Booth.
     Lyles finished the game 20-of-33 passing for 282 yards. Along with Booth, Rashad Medaris caught one and Pearson two. Teammate Quentin Taliaferro added five catches for 86 yards. Lyles also scored on a 1-yard run.
     Pike opened the scoring with a 71-yard run by Taylor Sanders. Sanders finished the game with seven carries and 130 yards.

Hanover College football 2012

Former North Central High School football players Jamal Edwards, left, and Colin Alexander, right, are playing well for Hanover College.

 



Colin Alexander, a junior, said that Hanover College was No. 1.

Hanover College celebrates a victory!

 

Here is a look at Division III college football.

College Quarterback Prospect

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.

Warren Central proved it's special, defeats North Central

            Top-ranked Warren Central overcame North Central’s comeback attempt before going on to defeat the Panthers 48-16 in a Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference high school football game.
            Warren Central dominated the game early, building a 13-0 first-quarter lead. The Warriors scored on a 55-yard touchdown run by Shaquille Breeding, and Ronnie Alexander’s 5-yard scoring pass from quarterback Kyle Faunce.
            But North Central battled back. Ben Stoller nailed a 35-yard field goal with 3:56 left in the second quarter. After Stoller’s successful pooch kick recovered by the Panthers, NC’s running back, Kevin Davis, raced up the middle for a 37-yard score, pulling NC within three points at 13-10.
            After Davis’ touchdown, time and Warren Central’s strong special teams play put North Central away.  North Central was forced to punt from its own 21-yard line,  but Warren Central’s strong rush resulted in a 3-yard punt, putting the Warriors 24 yards away from another score with under 2 minutes left in the half. The Warriors’ drive was started with a holding penalty and ended with 1-yard run by McFarland Dominique with only 10 seconds left on the clock. Warren led 20-10 at the half.
            Warren Central’s special teams continued to impact the game.  North Central was forced to punt from its own 23-yard-line. But the Warriors nearly blocked another punt, resulting in a negative 2-yard punt, putting WC at NC’s 21. The Warriors took advantage again, getting a 5-yard run from Faunce. The Warriors led 27-10.
          When North Central punted successfully In the third quarter, Warren Central’s Karn Utter returned the punt 62-yards for a touchdown, making the score 34-10.
          By the time North Central scored on a 45-yard touchdown from Gavin Alexander to Krayshawn Brewer, the game was over. The TD made the score 34-16. Alexander finished the game 10-of-23 passing for 159 yards. North Central Jordan Williams had five catches for 39 yards and Matt Hicks added three catches for 57 yards.

North Central loses to LN, losing its swagger

               For two games, North Central had a swagger. They entered games with their chests stuck out, with their heads held high, and with their fists balled up.
                Entering games, NC’s body language said, “Bring it!
This swag – a confidence not seen from a North Central team in several years – led to road victories over ranked Pike and Lawrence Central.
             Where did this swag come from? It came from the football players’ parents. They were parents who gassed up their SUVs, vans, and cars and drove their kids all over the Midwest to compete against the best high school players in the area in front of many Division I, II, and III college coaches.  Our players found out what their parents have been telling them for years: Son, you are good! You are just as good as every player in this camp.  The college coaches also told them positive things.
                   So for the first two games – NC sauntered into enemy territory and came back with enemy heads on a figurative stick.
                   The media was scrambling. Is North Central that good? If they had asked one of the dads who  supported – played catch with them, hopped the NC fence with them, and spent their last dimes on them – they would have gotten a decisive answer to that question: Hell yeah they’re good!
                But over the last two weeks – especially in the recent 14-9 loss to Lawrence North, the Panthers have lost their swagger.
                Against LN, North Central scored first, marching down the field with relative ease before settling on a 26-yard field goal by Ben Stoller. Stoller’s field goal and a 51-yard TD run by Tyrin Liggin in the second quarter may have been the only bright spots for the Panthers.  Liggin, who had a 72-yard TD run last week, gave NC a brief 9-7 third-quarter lead.
                That’s when things got weird. The Panthers had two snaps sail over their punter’s head, leading to two safeties. Throw in a Craig Larew 31-yard field goal and Lawrence North walked away with a 14-9 victory.
                In the game, quarterback Gavin Alexander was held to 10-of-20 yards passing for 96 yards. He also had seven carries for 54 yards. Alexander played without all-county receiver Jordan Williams, who didn’t play because of an injury.
                Reidus Trimble led North Central with three catches for 17 yards. Mike Raby (37 yards) and Marquel Wattley (21 yards) had two catches each.              

Ben Davis pounds North Central

     Sometimes, football is a simple matchup featuring the big boys –an unpublicized cage fight between the offensive and defensive linemen.
     In this bare-knuckle fight featuring No.4 Ben Davis and host No.7 North Central, the aptly named Giants manhandled the Panthers’ offensive and defensive lines en route to a 54-21 victory in a Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference high school football game.
     Before Ben Davis called off the big boys by putting in their second, third, and fourth-string players, the Giants led 54-7 to start the fourth quarter. In the fourth, North Central’s backups were able to score two touchdowns to end the scoring.

Panthers are 7th in AP poll; 9th in coaches poll

Associated Press Poll
Class 5A



W-L Pts Prv
1. Warren Central (14) (2-0) 298 1
2. Carmel (1) (2-0) 264 2
3. Hamilton Southeastern (2-0) 236 3
4. Indpls Ben Davis (2-0) 196 5
5. Center Grove (2-0) 142 7
6. Penn (2-0) 128 8
7. Indpls N. Central (2-0) 106 9
8. Fishers (1-1) 68 4
9. Castle (2-0) 60 T10
10. Crown Point (2-0) 40 NR


Others receiving votes: Avon 38, Lawrence Central 18, Brownsburg 14, Southport 12, Ft. Wayne Snider 10, Homestead 8, Floyd Central 6, Columbus North 4, Lake Central 2,


Indiana Football Coaches Association



Class 5A Poll (8/29/11)
1. Warren Central
2. Carmel
3. Hamilton Southeastern
4. Ben Davis
5. Penn
6. Center Grove
7. Crown Point
8. Homestead
9. Indianapolis North Central
10. FW Snider

North Central Beats Pike

In sports, especially football, you can’t give up; quitting is not an option.

        North Central finally got it.
        North Central overcame a 14-7 deficit by scoring 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to defeat host Pike 21-14 Friday night in Indiana high school football. It was the first time that North Central has defeated Pike in football in five years.
         The no-quit attitude was displayed on special teams. After North Central tied the score at 14 on quarterback Gavin Alexander’s 48-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Krayshawn Brewer, North Central kicked off to Pike with 5:17 left in the game.  The Red Devils didn’t field the kick cleanly, the ball was fumbled, and a Panther hustled down the field and recovered it with 5:05 left.
         After a rough first half, Alexander continued his hot passing. Four plays after the recovered fumble, Alexander threw a 14-yard TD pass to Jordan Williams, making the score 21-14. In the final quarter, Alexander completed 5-of-6 passes with TD throws to Brewer and Williams. He also threw the first of his three TD passes to Brewer, a 38-yard strike that gave the Panthers a 7-0 first-quarter lead.
         Alexander finished the game 8-of-17 passing for 135 yards.
         But it was the defense that may have won the game. North Central gave up a lot of field position, many times punting the ball away near its own goal line.  Despite having to defend a short field, the Panthers defense came up with several stops and big plays. Defensive backs Kory Rogan and Melvin Graham came up with interceptions. Defensive lineman Trey Williamson had a sack and Panther teammates Darius Latham and Deon Posey applied consistent pressure on Pike quarterback Aloyis Gray.
        North Central kicker Ben Stoller ended the Panthers’ scoring by going 3-of-3 on points after touchdowns.
         Again, not giving up may have led to the victory.

The Bishop Dullaghan Football Camp at Anderson University

North Central's Matt Hicks makes a leaping catch during one-on-ones.

NC's Matt Hicks, red shorts, and Melvin Graham, red socks, line up to catch a pass.

A Ben Davis quarterback throws a pass.

A Homestead High School coach demonstrates a drill.

North Central players quench their thirst.

NC receiver Jordan Williams (black helmet) prepares to attack the Crown Point defense.

NC quarterback Gavin Alexander sets the offense.