MaxPreps Indiana Team of the Week: Decatur Central football

Like Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck reading defenses, it's a progression.

In 2012, the Decatur Central (Indianapolis) football team was 4-6. In 2013, the Hawks improved to 5-5. And in 2014, they've broken through to an 8-2 campaign and are ranked 20th in the state.

For their steady improvement and determined 24-20 win over Zionsville in the snow last week, the Hawks are the MaxPreps Indiana Team of the Week, presented by the Indiana Army National Guard.

"We've got a lot of veteran leadership on our team," Decatur Central coach Justin Dixson said. "We have a great senior class. We have a lot of varsity starters that have developed, so I think experience is one reason why we've been able to improve. It's been a constant improvement, not only physically but mentally."

It took a lot to pull out last week's win, the team's sixth straight. Dixson said it was a crazy game that came down to one late drive.

"Zionsville is a great program and plays in a great conference," Dixson said. "Their record (3-6) didn't really reflect how good of a team they were. We played outstanding in the first half defensively. The wind and the weather kind of wreaked havoc in the second half.

"There was a complete white out — it snowed about two inches. It was kind of a crazy end to the game. Fortunately we were able to save our timeouts and we have a great quarterback who drove us down the field with two minutes left, and scored with 30 seconds left to win the game."

That quarterback, Tommy Stevens (6-foot-4, 200 pounds), is the 18th best dual threat quarterback in the country, according to 247Sports. He's committed to Indiana University.

In the team's first nine games, he had completed 96 of 161 passes for 1,507 yards and 15 touchdowns. He had also rushed 128 times for 779 yards and seven more scores.

"He can beat you throwing the ball and with his feet," Dixson said. "Obviously our scheme lends itself to doing that with our spread options. But more importantly he's just a really gritty, tough competitor. He prepares for the game really well as far as understanding what we're trying to do and what defenses are trying to take away. He's just a really intelligent football player and a dynamic athlete."

The Hawks have other dynamic and tough players as well.

Tyrone Tracy has rushed 62 times for 501 yards and seven scores, while Dakota Sidwell (108-494-10) has been equally effective.

Stevens has three main receiving threats in Connor Ray (37 catches, 531 yards, three scores), Chandler Barnes (20-366-7) and Ryker Stout (19-384-4).

Defensively, John Sidwell leads the team with 84 tackles, followed by Ryan Harrison (71) and Calvin Thomas (59). Anthony Graves has four interceptions and eight pass deflections. 

Tracy and Thomas are freshmen, but Dixson hasn't been surprised by their contributions.

"They can compete on the field physically and mentally because of what dynamic athletes they are," he said. "I think they're mature beyond their age as far as being able to understand the Xs and Os of the game and apply it to the field.

"I just think they're used to winning. That freshman class didn't lose a game growing up, so they're used to having success. And all those things contribute to them being very, very good."

So does having outstanding linemen, an area where the Hawks have an abundance.

Trent Maynard (6-5, 301) is the best of the bunch and has Division I offers. Austin Osborn, Austin Walker and Ryan Harrison also stand out on the line.

Dixson said what impresses him most about this team is the players' willingness to engage in the process.

"I like the way our guys prepare week in and week out," he said. "It's just a constant effort to get better. I feel like we're playing our best football at the end of the season, which every coach wants to do." Colin Ward-Henninger and Mariah Griffin contributed to this report.