Center Grove running back Russ Yeast has played football in Indiana for only two weeks, but has made his opportunities count.
Yeast ran for 143 yards on 9 carries against Whiteland last night while filling in for Titus McCoy. He also ran for 172 yards in a two-point loss to Warren Central in Week 1.
Yeast transferred to Center Grove from Ohio after his father, Craig, was hired as offensive coordinator at Franklin College. He originally committed to Kentucky, but opened up his recruiting prior to the start of the season. Since that time, he has had offers from Auburn and Alabama.
“It feels good because I’m getting to make a name for myself all over again,” Yeast tells IndyScout on his first two games of Indiana football. “I think we should be 2-0 right now but we all have to step up and make plays to replace Titus. When he gets back I think our offense is really going to be dangerous.”
McCoy suffered a high ankle sprain in the season opener against Warren Central and is expected to be back in September. The Trojans face Carmel at home on Friday.
There are high expectations for the Cathedral Irish this season, including their new quarterback – Quincy Keller.
The 5’10, 170 Indianapolis Cathedral quarterback had to replace Max Bortenschlager, who graduated and became a Maryland Terrapin. Bortenschlager led the Irish to the regional finals last season against Avon – a game they narrowly lost – and proved that the Irish belong in 6A football.
Keller has an array of targets to throw the ball to, including Zavier Brown, Daijon Collins and Western Michigan commit Luke Sanders. He took a positive step forward in Week One against East Noble, finishing 12/18 for 140 yards and three total touchdowns in a 48-0 win.
“Our team was very prepared for the first game,” Keller tells IndyScout. “I got some nerves out of the way and have a lot of confidence going into the future weeks.”
Those future weeks will include tougher competition. The Irish face Mishawaka on Sept. 2 and defending 3A champion Chatard on Sept. 9. They wrap up the season against 6A Fishers on Sept. 30 and defending 6A champion Center Grove on Oct. 14.
Still, Keller feels confident with Cathedral’s stacked roster supporting him.
“I felt my game has improved a lot over the summer, and it was good to finally get out there and show it under the lights,” Keller said. “(We are) as prepared as we ever will be. I’m very confident in this team and what we’re capable of.”
Hamilton Southeastern senior quarterback Adam Mullett’s first start was against AP’s #2 ranked Indiana team – Carmel. The Greyhounds are stacked with Division I talent.
Mullett started this season after Carter Poiry graduated and went to Western Illinois to play baseball. He described himself as “a bit nervous” going into the game but also felt ready, citing his preparedness in the offseason.
Mullett, who looks the part at 6’5” 200, threw a first-quarter interception against the Greyhounds before finally settling down.
“After the interception I knew that I had to step my game up and think about each and every play in order to make it a success,” Mullett tells IndyScout. “I felt a bit more relaxed and I was ready to get after it the next possession.”
He started threading needles, including a touchdown over the middle to Will Michaelis, which gave the Royals a 14-7 lead. Hamilton Southeastern walked out of Carmel with a 27-21 upset win.
Mullett has received recruiting attention from Hillsdale College, University of Indianapolis, Western Illinois, Indiana State, and Depauw.
“A small team of ‘A’ players can run circles around a giant team of ‘B’ and ‘C’ players.” – Steve Jobs
I’m never a fan of making predictions. It always leads to people taking things way too personally, or somehow using the prediction as motivation to prove the predictor wrong. When I Tweeted yesterday that I predicted that Center Grove just might not win it all again this year, I heard it from a few Center Grove fans. That proves my point.
IndyScout has decided, though, to offer his thoughts on 6A, and he has had thoughts on this for a really long time. There are five or six teams with very legitimate chances to reach Lucas Oil.
And it wouldn’t shock me if I was totally wrong. There is so much parity.
All that said, I believe the INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL IRISH will be our 6A state champions when the dust settles this fall. Although Center Grove has the horses to repeat, Carmel presents the most complete roster (I almost chose them) and although Ben Davis has a ton of great players, I think the Irish will have a redemptive season. They proved last year that they belong in 6A football.
Top DB Pete Werner, along with safety Ben Stewart, will present matchup problems for teams with heavy passing attacks. Stewart has range and is an excellent in-space tackler.
A front seven consisting of Hugh Davis and Jackson Barrow will also be tough to block. Kris Marshall, too, is another one to watch. Up-front, the Irish have a national recruit in Emil Ekiyor and an underrated center in Gaven Johnson.
Those two will be blocking for running back Markese Stepp, who could be the best player of his class. The Irish have top receivers in Indiana commit Luke Sanders and 2018 WR Daijon Collins, who can make some acrobatic catches and is due for a breakout season.
This team is really stacked.
But it wouldn’t shock me if I was totally wrong due to the parity in 6A football this season.
So many underclassmen have big shoes to fill and it’s going to be very interesting to see how well they do. Ben Davis, too, is stacked – the talent on their roster is undeniable. At Carmel, who I’ll see tonight, top WRs Ethan Merriweather and Jalen Walker and tight end Kurt Rafdal are all great targets for either Eliott Charlebois or Jake McDonald. They, too, will be very competitive.
In response to some Center Grove fans, I have steadfastly said over and over and over that they are the top team in the state until someone proves otherwise. The fact that they haven’t lost a game in nearly two years is something I have repeated more than once. Eric Moore is a terrific head coach. Titus McCoy is one of the toughest players in the state. Russ Yeast is a great addition to the roster. I believe they will be right in the thick of things after the regular season. Like I said, they have the horses to repeat.
My hunch, though, is that another team is just a little better, and that team is Cathedral. Either way, not much separates the top five or six teams – Center Grove, Cathedral, Ben Davis, Carmel, Warren Central, Penn – who all have great chances to win it all.
Rise up and make this season great.
Indiana Football Scout 