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Center Grove’s ‘War Horse’ running back setting program best marks while trying to lead team to state title
Carson Steele has been dominant as the Center Grove Trojans‘ running back over the last four years, and has his team on the brink of a state championship this fall. (Photo: Lindy Scott)

Center Grove’s ‘War Horse’ running back setting program best marks while trying to lead team to state title

GREENWOOD, Ind. (BVM) — Carson Steele has been flat out dominant as Center Grove High School’s running back over the last four years. Setting numerous program records despite sitting out most of last season due to injury, Steele has come back with a vengeance this fall as a senior, and has the Trojans on the brink of a state championship.

Steele began playing football already in kindergarten, and drew an instant love for the sport. As a bigger kid than most growing up, Steele was not able to play running back early on in his career. He mainly played as a linebacker until moving up to play with older kids at the running back position.

The now 6-foot, 200-pound back won a league super bowl while in fourth grade. A couple years later in sixth grade, Steele realized the potential he had as a true tailback.

Perhaps one of the best memories from Steele’s youth comes from earning his nickname, the “War Horse.” After running in a long touchdown on a hot, 100-degree day that got called back by penalty, Steele got sick and would have to come out of the game. With the contest on the line, though, he came back in to score an important touchdown run, officially earning his nickname.

The “War Horse” name and where it comes from could not have been more fitting for Steele during his time with the Center Grove Trojans. In his first game as a freshman, Steele was admittedly nervous, but would make a splash instantly, rushing for over 100 yards and two touchdowns.

“It definitely took a nervous toll,” Steele said about his first high school game against Warren Central. “Coming out against kids who are 17 or 18 years old, you don’t know what to think. But it was definitely a cool thing and started my development as a player.”

Steele would not slow down over the rest of the 2017 campaign, finishing the season with 1,703 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. Considering he expected to take the majority of his reps at the junior-varsity level as a freshman, it was an impressive feat for the 18-year-old.

Carson Steele burst on to the scene as a freshman at Center Grove, and got even better as a sophomore with a dominant season in which he ran for 2,270 yards while scoring 29 touchdowns. (Photo: Lindy Scott)

As a sophomore, Steele became even better, as he would end up rushing for an eye-popping 2,270 yards to pair along with 29 touchdowns.

“That was definitely a special year,” Steele said. “Coming out and rushing for even more yards and more touchdowns was really cool. It was a great learning process and I got even better developing as a true player.”

A scary thought to any opponent who had Center Grove on the schedule, Steele was still developing with a potential to get even better in his junior year. However, the 2019 season would be a tough one for the Trojan football star.

A hamstring injury would force Steele to miss the first six games of the season. For one of the guys that is the heart and soul of the offense, it was tough to have to watch from the sidelines.

“It was a crazy year,” Steele explained. “It was just a fluke season. Hamstring injuries are kind of hard and you never know when you’re ready to go out and get running again. But it kind of developed me more mentally to just not take anything for granted.”

Steele was poised to return for Center Grove’s homecoming game after a long layoff. But then, after jumping up for a ball, he broke his foot. While Steele described the injury as “crushing,” the “War Horse” lived up to his nickname once again.

With his team making a deep postseason run, Steele returned for the team’s final three games of the year. A usual multi-month recovery was set aside by the running back, as he returned just weeks after surgery to try to help his team earn a coveted state title.

“It was just a blessing to be able to get back on the field,” Steele said. “Coming back, I was three weeks out of surgery so it was a crazy thing. I had my foot all wrapped up and it definitely wasn’t 100%.”

The Trojans would make it all the way to the Class 6A state championship game where they fell short to Carmel, 20-17. However, that loss has served as motivation for what has been a special 2020 season.

Center Grove has been ranked as the No. 1 team in Class 6A in Indiana throughout this fall, and they have compiled an undefeated 13-0 record. Now, they are back in this year’s state championship game with a chance at revenge.

Over the summer, Steele and his teammates were fearful they wouldn’t have a chance to put on the Center Grove uniform this fall with sports being postponed or canceled due to COVID-19.

“With not having much of a junior year either, I was definitely freaking out the most about not having a season with the virus,” Steele mentioned. “It’s been a true blessing to be able to come out and play this year.”

Steele and his Trojans teammates have taken full advantage of being able to play this fall. As a senior, the “War Horse” has again rushed for over 1,500 yards and 29 touchdowns, helping his team be thoroughly dominant.

With another strong senior season, Carson Steele has helped the Trojans to a dominant undefeated record, and they are just one win away from a state championship. (Photo: Lindy Scott)

Outside of a close one-score game against Indianapolis Cathedral on Oct. 16, the Trojans have won every game by at least 15 points, and have outscored their four playoff opponents by a combined 183-27. 

Led by a potent offense and stifling defense, Center Grove has made it back to the state final once again, where they will do battle with Westfield High School on Friday, Nov. 27. Bringing home a gold trophy after the way last year ended would mean everything to Steele and his teammates.

“It’s definitely been awesome this year,” Steele said. “As a team we’ve felt really strong. One of the toughest things about us is our defense. Almost half of them are DI athletes so they are always lights out when they come to play. Our offense is great as well, especially our offensive line. It’s been a blessing to come out and play with these guys and hopefully we can finish it off against Westfield.

“This next game would be such a meaningful win for us. It would be a cool thing to come back after losing last year. Everything has been stressful this year so it would really be nice for the community as well.”

With business to still take care of, Steele hasn’t thought much yet about the legacy he has left on the Center Grove football program. But it is one that won’t be forgotten. 

The 18-year-old has set program records with nearly 5,800 career rushing yards and 80 rushing touchdowns. He has also marked program bests in career points and total touchdowns (83). 

“Being able to play at Center Grove has been a total blessing as well as getting all those records,” Steele said. “Hopefully in a couple years some other kid comes in and breaks all those records too but it’s just a great thing, especially doing it in only three years essentially.” 

Steele’s impact has gone beyond his play on the field as well. Growing up, the Trojans’ senior often looked up to former Center Grove running backs, particularly Titus McCoy. Being able to talk to guys like McCoy and take pictures with them on the field after games meant everything to a young Steele, and now, he has had the chance to do the same as his former idols.

“When I was younger, I would run out on the field and always try to take pictures with all the big-time running backs for Center Grove,” Steele explained. “I always told myself that if I was ever going to do this and play at Center Grove that I would love to come down and see those little kids just as they did for me. When I’m long gone there will be some other running back here doing the same thing, and that’s the cool thing about this community.”

With recruiting greatly affected over the last eight months, and limited film on tape from his junior season, Steele is still currently working through the recruiting process. He already has offers from Ball State, Indiana State and Illinois State, and continues to talk with Division I schools such as Purdue and Kentucky as well.

Steele will look to make an official commitment soon, and hopes to make his name known by putting in hard work at the college level. But ultimately, a successful college career could be a stepping stone for the 18-year-old to achieve his lifelong goal — playing in the NFL. Steele has idolized guys like Christian McCaffrey, Leonard Fournette and Derrick Henry throughout the years, and to be able to join them on Sundays would be a dream come true.

“That’s definitely been one of the big-time dreams of mine,” Steele said. “It will take a lot of hard work and time but I am dedicated to doing that so hopefully everything works out and I can live up to my dream.”

Steele’s name being called on Sundays may not be far off. But all he cares about right now is having it called on Friday night, and ending his tenure as a Center Grove Trojan with a state championship victory.

“It’s just been crazy to play for this great, all-around community,” Steele said. “Everybody kind of knows everybody. It would be a great thing to go out as one of the big-time teams to come out of Center Grove and would be cool to leave a legacy as one of the great teams. Hopefully we can do that on Friday.”