CENTERBURG — Welcome to Knox Pages’ 2026 high school football preview. Over the coming days, we’ll preview all the schools across the county. Each preview features this season’s schedule, last season’s performance, statistics, a player to watch and what fans can expect under the Friday night lights.
You can find all of our high school football previews here.
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Centerburg Trojans 2026 Preview
Division: VI
Region: 23
Conference: Knox Morrow Athletic Conference
Coach: Andy Colella
Last year: 10-2
Playoff Appearances: 9 (2025, 2024, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2014, 2013, 2005, 2003)
Playoff Record: 8-9
PLAYER TO WATCH 👀
Jackson Ballinger: An imposing 6-foot-5, 230-pound tight end and defensive end and major college recruit, Ballinger committed to Florida in February and will graduate early to get a jump-start on his collegiate career. He caught 29 passes for 467 yards and four touchdowns last fall. Defensively, Ballinger made 34.5 tackles with five tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He was a third-team All-Ohioan.
BY THE NUMBERS 📊
3
Knox Morrow Athletic Conference championships in the nine seasons of the KMAC’s existence for Centerburg, more than any other program in the conference. The Trojans were a perfect 7-0 in the KMAC last fall and won the conference crown in 2022 and 2020.
1,590
Rushing yards for senior running back and first-team All-Ohioan Miles Marshall last year. He averaged 9.7 yards per carry and scored 25 TDs.
2,663
Yards of total offense graduated quarterback Blaine Ball accounted for last season. The first-team All-Ohioan threw for 1,515 yards and 15 TDs and rushed for 1,148 yards and 12 scores.
396.7
Yards of offense per game, tops in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference. Centerburg also ranked first in scoring offense (38.1 ppg) and scoring defense (13.8 ppg) and ranked second in total defense (256.3 ypg).
2025 RESULTS
Centerburg 34, Utica 0
Johnstown 42, Centerburg 14
Centerburg 53, Worthington Christian 14
Centerburg 44, Northmor 27
Centerburg 41, Loudonville 0
Centerburg 47, Cardington 7
Centerburg 46, Mount Gilead 0
Centerburg 44, Danville 14
Centerburg 59, East Knox 6
Centerburg 34, Fredericktown 0
Playoffs
Centerburg 28, Ridgewood 14
Colonel Crawford 42, Centerburg 13
2026 SCHEDULE 📅
Aug. 21 — at Utica
Aug. 28 — at Johnstown
Sept. 4 — WORTHINGTON CHRISTIAN
Sept. 11 — EAST KNOX
Sept. 18 — at Loudonville
Sept. 25 — CARDINGTON
Oct. 2 — at Mount Gilead
Oct. 9 — at Danville
Oct. 16 — NORTHMOR
Oct. 23 — FREDERICKTOWN
TWO MINUTE DRILL ⏱️
The Trojans lost Knox Morrow Athletic Conference Player of the Year and first-team All-Ohioan Blane Ball to graduation, but the cupboard isn’t bare. There is no shortage of talent at the skill positions as both Florida recruit Jackson Ballinger and first-team All-Ohio running back Miles Marshall are back for their senior seasons. There are holes to fill on the offensive and defensive lines after the graduation of All-KMAC first-teamers Lane Johnston, Cole Evans and Aiden Gray, as well as linebacker Tommy Hause. Look for Centerburg to lean on Marshall as a new quarterback finds his footing.
Love high football? So do we! 🏈
Stay ahead of the game with exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes coverage, and expert analysis from veteran sports reporter Curt Conrad.
