No. 18 Warren Central

By Stephen Spiewak Jun 18, 2011, 8:08pm

Traditional Indiana powerhouse has the ingredients for a magical season.

It will be a banner year for Division I talent at Warren Central.
It will be a banner year for Division I talent at Warren Central.
Photo by Warren Robison

On paper, this year's rendition of the Warren Central Warriors could be as impressive as any in program history, which speaks volumes given the success of the Darren Evans-led team of 2006.

Entering the summer, 12 Warren Central seniors hold Division I offers, making expectations sky-high for 2011.

Sheldon Day, the team's most-coveted recruit, will lead a defensive line that has the potential to dominate. He'll be joined by Josh Posley, Jonathan Burt and Darnell Smith. Transfer Tyrone Pearson could also be a factor.

Jordan Shine and Kaleb Humphrey return in the secondary, which should be another strength of the team.



Running back Deionte Buckley spearheads Warren Central's offensive attack. Quarterback Kyle Faunce, a transfer from Arizona's Mountain Pointe, could assume the reigns behind center.

Up front, the Warriors feature Deyshawn Bond and junior transfer Dwayne Brown. They'll need other players to step up before the fall for the team's offense to be as potent early on as it could be.

The team has a number of capable targets at wide receiver, including returner Kevin Davis, 6-foot-4 junior Evan Faunce and McKelti Williams, the only freshman to crack the varsity roster thus far.

Warren Central knows it is clearly the hunted team in Indiana this season. If it has even one off-week, like it had in the playoffs against Lawrence Central last season, what could be one of the team's most accomplished seasons will become one of its most disappointing.

Local look: "Warren Central has two things working for it in 2011: An immense amount of talent and a lot of motivation. Tackle Sheldon Day anchors a defense that should be the best in the state and running back Deionte Buckley figures to play a featured role in Warren Central's ground-based attack. The Warriors were upset in the first round of sectionals last year by Class 5A runner-up Lawrence Central, marking the first time they didn't win a playoff game since 1997. Some believe this team could rank up there with the program's dominant 15-0 state championship team of 2006."
- Kyle Neddenriep, Indianapolis Star

Continue to School Profile
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SCHOOL PROFILE
Head coach John Hart.
Head coach John Hart.
Photo by Warren Robison

School size: Class 5A


Enrollment: 3,900 (approx.)




2010 finish: 8-2


Head coach: John Hart


Career record: 227-69


Years at school: 3


Notable players coached:
RB Ricky Crider (Northern Illinois)
DT Kris Harley (Virginia Tech)
OL Kiaro Holts (North Carolina)

Continue to Key Returners
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KEY RETURNERS
Sheldon Day is a coveted defensive tackle.
Sheldon Day is a coveted defensive tackle.
Photo by Warren Robison

No. of returning starters: 5 (offense), 7 (defense)
Deyshawn Bond is a leader on the offensive line.
Deyshawn Bond is a leader on the offensive line.
Photo by Warren Robison

Key losses:
DT Kris Harley
OL Kiaro Holts
LB Nick Temple



Key returners:
DL Sheldon Day
RB Deionte Buckley
DB Jordan Shine

Key newcomers:
QB Kyle Faunce
OL Dwayne Brown
WR/TE Evan Faunce




Continue to Season Outlook

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SEASON OUTLOOK

This Warriors squad has high expectations.
This Warriors squad has high expectations.
Photo by Warren Robison

Toughest game:
Indianapolis Cathedral. The defending champion in 4A returns more than a dozen starters and will be a good early test for Warren Central.
Senior Jordan Shine brings experience
to the secondary.
Senior Jordan Shine brings experience to the secondary.
Photo by Warren Robison

Question mark: How well will this team's talent mix to produce a consistent effort each week?

Local outlook: Warren Central is the clear-cut favorite in 5A, but the Warriors could get pushed by perennial power Carmel and retooled 2009 champion Center Grove.

Overall outlook: Anything short of a state title would be disappointing for Warren Central. At this point, given the robust amount of talent the Warriors have, anything short of an undefeated season may be a let-down. Coach Hart and staff have plenty of pieces to work with defensively, and the team's offense, with new faces at quarterback, receiver and offensive line, should come together nicely.

Coach quote: "A lot of colleges come in and think we're one of the hardest-working schools they've ever seen. It's not so much a testament to me or our staff so much as our kids."
- John Hart



Continue to Video of Returning Players
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VIDEO

Image for MaxPreps Video.