ST. JOSEPH CENTRAL INDIANS – FOOTBALL

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St. Joseph Central enters 2026 in the midst of major change and growth within its district. Head coach Sheldon Farrell, in his third year as head coach and eighth overall at Central, explains that “Central is undergoing a major and positive reorganization.” With “the closing of Lafayette High School within the St. Joseph School District,” he says, “we have taken on more players,” expanding the roster and talent pool. Farrell notes that “throughout the summer, many players have stepped up and have jelled well together,” and believes that “with an increase of the student athletes Central should be better on and off the field.” He adds, “There is a lot of excitement within the Central walls and within the community, supporting the players and coaches into these new and exciting times for the city,” capturing the optimism around the program.

Offensively, Central returns five starters and bases out of the spread. The philosophy is simple and clear: “Spread – Get the ball to playmakers in space.” Senior wide receivers Drake Gilkison, Evan Parksel and Cole Hass headline the passing game, giving the Indians multiple options on the perimeter. Senior running back Christian Richey provides experience in the backfield, while junior linemen Tre’Siah Harrison and Ma’Kavian Perkins help anchor the offensive line. That core gives Central a foundation for an attack designed to create mismatches and let athletes operate in space.

Defensively, Central returns five starters and will run a “4-2-5… Tackle well and control the game.” Parksel and senior Ladanian Morris line up at safety, seniors Josh Gorrell and Trayton Hooper play defensive end, sophomore Maxton Puckett works at cornerback and junior Makavion Cook anchors the defensive front at tackle. The emphasis is on tackling and controlling the game’s flow, which fits with the increased depth created by the district reorganization.

Parksel is the MVP nominee, and Farrell describes him as “a Lafayette transfer” who “is a two-way starter at wide receiver and at safety.” He notes that Parksel “has worked this off-season and in the summer developing a better catch radius,” and that “with his 6’5 frame, he is hard to miss on the football field.” Farrell says, “I expect Evan to garner a lot of attention while he is on offense and opposing offenses to avoid him while he is on defense,” and calls 2026 “a big prove it year making the jump to 6A,” adding that Parksel “is ready for and very capable of a big year.” Sophomore Maxton Puckett is the underclassman to watch; the staff notes he “has worked himself into a two-way starter throughout the summer playing cornerback on defense and playing a hybrid tight end on offense,” and describes him as “sneaky athletic with a high football IQ for his age,” capable of playing “6-7 positions for Central this upcoming season.”