For the second week in a row, Carmel prevailed against a Metropolitan Conference opponent in a close game.
This time, it was Spencer Hanna who kicked the Greyhounds out of trouble. Hanna nailed a 34-yard field goal with no time left on the clock in the fourth quarter to send Class 6A No. 10 Carmel to a 36-34 victory at 6A No. 5 Lawrence North.
This game was truly back and forth. The Wildcats scored first when Omar Cooper caught a 41-yard touchdown pass midway through the first quarter. Carmel answered with a quick drive to the eight-yard line, and Zach Osborne ran the ball into the end zone from there.
Hanna kicked the extra point to tie the game. Midway through the second period, Hanna booted a 29-yard field goal to put the ‘Hounds ahead 10-7. Colton Parker would later score for Carmel on a 50-yard run. The Wildcats’ Ali Richardson punched the ball in from the one-yard line late in the period, but the Greyhounds still led 17-14 at halftime.
The third quarter was all Hanna, as he scored the only points of the period. Hanna made field goals from 35, 33 and 40 yards, slowly getting Carmel ahead 26-14 by the end of the quarter.
A three-yard touchdown run by Richardson cut the Greyhounds’ lead to 26-20, but Carmel answered that when Osborne zoomed in 32 yards for a score, putting his team up 33-20 with 5:46 to go.
But seconds later, Cooper grabbed a 71-yard pass and took it in to the end zone. Richardson scored late in the quarter on a four-yard run to push LN ahead 34-33, but that set the stage for one last Greyhounds drive and Hanna’s game-winning kick.
Hanna was perfect on the night, making five field goals and three extra-point kicks. Luke Conley was Carmel’s leading rusher, gaining 121 yards in 16 carries. Osborne finished the game 9-of-22 for 139 yards, with Baron Smith making four receptions.
The Greyhounds are 2-1 in the MIC and 3-2 overall, and play at North Central next Friday.
CARMEL 36, LAWRENCE NORTH 34
Score by Quarters
Carmel 7 10 9 10 – 36
Lawrence North 7 7 0 20 – 34
Team Stats CAR LN
First Downs 23 22
By Rush 14 9
By Pass 7 12
By Penalty 2 1
Rushes-Yards 56-312 34-120
Yards Passing 139 386
Comp-Att-Int-TD 9-22-1-0 16-24-1-2
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 2-2
Penalties-Yards 6-130 6-54
Punts-Average 5-35.6 6-36.2
Carmel Scoring
First Quarter
2:51 – Zach Osborne 8-yard run (Spencer Hanna kick)
Second Quarter
6:33 – Hanna 29-yard field goal
3:13 – Colton Parker 50-yard run (Hanna kick)
Third Quarter
6:54 – Hanna 35-yard field goal
4:24 – Hanna 33-yard field goal
1:20 – Hanna 40-yard field goal
Fourth Quarter
5:46 – Osborne 32-yard run (Hanna kick)
0:00 – Hanna 34-yard field goal
Carmel individual stats
Rushing: Luke Conley 16-121, Osborne 14-74, Parker 4-63, Nick Beidl 13-28, Jordan Jones 7-15, Baron Smith 1-10, Daniel Mullins 1-1.
Passing: Osborne 9-22-139.
Receiving: Smith 4-94, Jaedon King 2-14, Parker 2-13, Jones 1-18.