There is always so much at stake whenever a Mudsock trophy is up for grabs, and that will be especially true for this year’s Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern football teams.
The two teams will meet Friday night at Southeastern for the 18th time. Last year, the Tigers beat the Royals both times they played each other. First was a 20-14 victory in Week 4 of the season, then Fishers triumphed 9-6 in a bitterly cold sectional semi-final.
Both teams will come into the season with 1-2 records. The Tigers defeated Pike 31-14 in their Week 2 contest; that came in between a 31-7 loss to North Central in Fishers’ opener, then Noblesville beat the Tigers 21-9 last week.
Southeastern started its season with a dramatic 21-20 win over Lawrence Central at Lucas Oil Stadium, but then fell to North Central 31-13 in Week 2 and lost to Avon 29-6 last week. This means that both teams started out Hoosier Crossroads Conference play 0-1, so that puts added emphasis on this game as well.
Senior HL Lewis has been a leader on the ground for Fishers. Already Lewis has run for 328 yards in 57 carries, including three touchdowns. Another senior, Mason McCartney, has caught two touchdown passes, and overall has six catches for 75 yards. Junior Geoffrey Brown leads the defense with 27 total tackles (21 solo, six assists, five for a loss).
The Royals played well in a difficult assignment against Avon, which is ranked No. 2 in Class 6A, behind only unanimous No. 1 Warren Central. Matt Harris scored HSE’s touchdown, a 36-yard run in a fourth-and-1 situation. Manny Daniels caught an interception, Crae Kunkleman made a sack and forced a fumble, Ben Boysen had 11 receptions for 73 yards, and Mitch Hebenstreit punted the ball seven times for an average of 44 yards, with his longest punt 68 yards.
WESTFIELD-NOBLESVILLE
Another big rivalry game featuring two Hamilton County teams is on tap for Friday, as Westfield travels to Noblesville for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The two teams played a close game last season, with the Shamrocks winning 30-26.
The ‘Rocks will enter the new Beaver Materials Field with a 2-1 record. Westfield beat Harrison 28-16 in its opener, then took care of Zionsville 41-28 in its Hoosier Crossroads Conference opener last week. The Shamrocks have only lost to Decatur Central 35-21; the Hawks moved up to No. 2 in this week’s 5A poll. (Zionsville is No. 10 in 5A).
The Millers had to absorb losses against two of the state’s best teams in its first two games. Noblesville fell to Cathedral (this week ranked third in 5A) 31-7 at Lucas Oil Stadium in its opener, then dropped a rivalry game to Carmel (No. 5 in 6A) 34-7. But the Millers rebounded to beat Fishers 21-9, giving them a big win to open HCC play.
Junior quarterback Camden Simons has done well for Westfield, with a 58.2 percent completion rate (39-of-67) and 444 yards. Another junior, Eli Patchett, is already at 200 yards rushing and three touchdowns in 34 carries. Senior Nathan Nguyen, who was out injured last week, has 177 yards and one touchdown to his credit. Senior Colin Caldwell is up to 22 tackles on defense (12 solo and 10 assists).
Senior Luke Blevins is off to a good start on the ground, with 191 yards in 29 carries and a touchdown. Senior quarterback Grant Gremel has thrown for 257 yards and two TDs. Noblesville’s defense has been tough, with eight players already at 20 tackles or more. Jacob Hamm leads with 42 total tackles (17 solo and 25 assists), with senior Eddie Dziennik next in line with 28 stops (19 solo and nine assists). Dziennik and senior Dalton Davis both have four tackles for a loss.
CARMEL-PIKE
Carmel will look for its first Metropolitan Conference win of the season on Friday when it welcomes Pike to Carmel Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
The Red Devils are 1-2, starting with a season-opening victory over Zionsville 27-19. Pike then lost to Fishers 31-14 and Ben Davis 40-19 in its MIC opener. The Greyhounds, ranked No. 5 in 6A, beat Louisville Trinity 24-21 and Noblesville 34-7 before falling to Center Grove 17-7 to start conference play.
Junior Jasen Graves has been an all-purpose leader for the Red Devils. As quarterback, he has completed 38 of 62 passes for 473 yards and three touchdowns, while also carrying the ball 46 times for 172 yards. Pike’s top receivers are both seniors: Cameron Williams has 12 catches for 155 yards and Richard Huston has 10 receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown. Senior Wisemen Jordan-Clark leads the Red Devil defense with 31 tackles (10 solo, 21 assists).
Carmel’s Dylan Downing has compiled 206 yards so far in 32 carries, including a touchdown, with Camari Hunt next in line with 145 yards and a TD. The ‘Hounds have two quarterbacks and both have played well: Tyler Trent is 24-of-43 for 272 yards and three scores, while Gabe Quigley is 10-of-22 for 130 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Christian Williams had 10 catches for 129 yards and two touchdowns.
SHERIDAN-CARROLL
Sheridan will try to keep its Hoosier Heartland Conference streak rolling when it travels to Carroll on Friday for a 7:30 p.m. game.
The Blackhawks are already 2-0 in the conference and 2-1 overall. After dropping a 50-12 opener to Western Boone (this week No. 2 in 2A), Sheridan has not allowed a point, shutting out Clinton Central 27-0 and Tri-Central 52-0.
The Cougars are also 2-1 overall and won their conference opener last week, edging out Taylor 28-27. Carroll beat Tri-County 33-26 in Week 1, then fell to Delphi 47-14 for its Week 2 game. Senior Luke Gamel is the Cougars’ quarterback and he has already thrown for 421 yards and four touchdowns. Senior Quinton Veach has 12 of those catches and three of those scores, totaling 191 yards. Junior Luke Marley has made 41 tackles, nine solo and 32 assists.
Sheridan’s Drake Delph is off to a fantastic start, completing 13 of 21 passes for 330 yards and six touchdowns. Three players are leading the way on the ground: Sophomore Cameron Hovey has 211 yards, senior Nick Burnell 202 yards and James Manis 186 yards; the two seniors have rushed for three touchdowns. Burnell and senior Jesse Kolb each have 35 tackles – 17 solo, 18 assists for Kolb and 16 solo, 19 assists for Burnell.
HEIGHTS-NORTHWESTERN
Hamilton Heights is out for its first win, and the Huskies will try to do that in its Hoosier Conference East opener Friday. Heights plays at Northwestern, with the kickoff at 7 p.m.
The Huskies are 0-3, with losses to Mount Vernon 43-14, North Montgomery 19-7 and West Lafayette (the No. 2 team in 3A) 76-0. Heights will meet a Northwestern team also looking for a first win, as the Tigers have fallen to Eastern Hancock 28-14, Twin Lakes 45-6 and Lafayette Central Catholic 55-0.
Junior Garrett Wecht is Northwestern’s quarterback; he has passing 260 yards to his credit. Senior Mitchell Hahn has nine catches for 151 yards.
Huskies senior quarterback Carter Campassi has completed 17 of 37 passes for 169 yards, including two touchdowns. Senior Isiah Campbell has 10 of those catches. Junior DeShawn King is Heights’ leading rusher with 235 yards. Senior Kray Leininger has made 24 tackles, 13 solo and 11 assists.
GUERIN CATHOLIC-HOWE
Guerin Catholic will travel to Indianapolis Howe to take on a Hornets team that is off to its best start since the school re-opened in 2004.
Howe is 3-0 for the season, with wins over Osceola Grace 37-12, Rock Creek Academy 53-20 and Indiana School for the Deaf 40-18. The Golden Eagles, who are ranked No. 9 in 3A this week, are 2-1; after losing to McCutcheon 19-13 in overtime in Week 1, GC has beaten Lafayette Central Catholic 40-7 and Heritage Christian 48-7.
Deshawn Mills-Batey is the Hornets’ quarterback, and he has already compiled 551 yards on 19-of-34 passing, including six touchdowns. Senior Creshaun Brown has nine of those catches for 279 yards, including three scores. Two Howe players have already topped 200 yards rushing: Senior George Beeler has 253 yards while Jorden Murphy has 223 yards and three TDs.
Junior Christian Gelov has completed 29 of 53 passes for 398 yards and four touchdowns, with junior Bernie McGuinness the leading receiver, making seven catches and 87 yards. Senior Dylan Crossen has dominated on the ground with 379 yards and seven touchdowns. Senior Charles Bock has 27 tackles, 18 solo and nine assists.
