Youngs sparks Center Grove surge in 49–14 victory over Pike
Trojans break second-quarter tie, score 35 unanswered points to pull away
Staff Report
INDIANAPOLIS — Pike had Center Grove tied midway through the first half Friday night. Roman Youngs and the Trojans made sure the game did not stay close.
Youngs caught three touchdown passes and added a defensive touchdown as Center Grove scored the final 35 points in a 49–14 Indiana high school conference football victory. The Trojans improved to 6–1, while Pike fell to 0–7.
Sophomore quarterback Evan Wischmeier threw four touchdown passes, and Center Grove’s defense shut out the Red Devils in the second half.
The opening quarter offered little indication of the separation to come. Center Grove scored twice, including a touchdown reception by Youngs, but Pike stayed within reach and trailed just 14–7 entering the second period.
The Red Devils then drew even. Elijah Smith connected with Joseph Franklin for a touchdown, and the extra point tied the game at 14–14.
Pike’s defense followed with a stop, forcing Center Grove to punt and giving the Red Devils possession near midfield. The Trojans answered with a defensive stand of their own, and Pike’s ensuing punt pinned Center Grove at its own 10-yard line.
From that difficult starting position, the Trojans produced the touchdown that put them ahead for good.
Youngs caught his second scoring pass of the night to finish the possession, and Dallas Cornpropst’s extra point gave Center Grove a 21–14 lead. The Trojans carried that seven-point advantage into halftime.
The third quarter changed the game decisively.
After receiving the second-half kickoff, Center Grove extended its lead with another touchdown pass to Youngs. The extra point made it 28–14, giving the Trojans their first two-touchdown cushion.
Youngs then supplied another score on defense. The live scoring account recorded an 85-yard interception return for a touchdown, pushing Center Grove’s advantage to 35–14 after the extra point.
A game that had been tied in the second quarter was quickly slipping away from Pike.
The Trojans added a third touchdown in the period when Wischmeier found Jayden Biggerstaff for a 2-yard scoring pass. Center Grove entered the fourth quarter ahead 42–14 after outscoring the Red Devils 21–0 in the third.
Biggerstaff contributed a long run during the final period, and Hudson Winkler finished the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run. Tyler Lowden’s extra point brought the margin to 49–14.
Center Grove’s defense kept Pike off the scoreboard for the remainder of the night, completing a second half in which the Trojans scored 28 unanswered points.
Youngs finished with six receptions for 103 yards and three touchdowns. He also recorded two interceptions, giving Center Grove a difference-maker on both sides of the ball.
Wischmeier completed 11 of 17 passes for 185 yards and four touchdowns, with one interception. Biggerstaff led the rushing attack with 102 yards on 13 carries, averaging 7.8 yards per attempt.
Winkler added 49 yards on 10 carries and was credited with two rushing touchdowns in the final statistics. Ricky Lange contributed 42 yards as Center Grove finished with 203 rushing yards and 388 yards of total offense.
Blake Walker led the Trojans with 10 tackles. Jackson Burnett and Colt Siner joined Youngs in the interception column, giving Center Grove four takeaways through the air.
Pike had matched the Trojans through the early stages of the second quarter. Center Grove’s response — a go-ahead touchdown before halftime followed by three third-quarter scores — turned that challenge into a comfortable road victory.
Scoring by quarter
Team1st2nd3rd4thFinalCenter Grove14721749Pike770014
