After its regular-season game with Pike went to double overtime, Carmel was aware that the Red Devils would pose a challenge during Friday’s Sectional 5 semi-final game at Carmel Stadium.
The Greyhounds learned their lessons well, and stayed focus throughout the game, which they won going away, 38-17. Carmel scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to pull away from Pike.
“We answered each time, but still was a difficult challenge against somebody that we knew was capable of challenging us the way they did,” said Greyhounds coach John Hebert.
Carmel scored one touchdown in each quarter of the first half. Luke Conley punched the ball in from the one-yard line midway through the first quarter; it was his only carry of the game, but he made it count. Then with less than a minute to go in the half, Zach Osborne rushed the ball in from 29 yards. That gave the Greyhounds a 14-0 halftime lead.
Spencer Hanna added a field goal in the third quarter to extend Carmel’s lead to 17-0. Pike scored on a 12-yard pass minutes later, and the score was now 17-7. But the ‘Hounds began the fourth quarter with a 27-yard touchdown throw from Osborne to Zach White.
The Red Devils cut that lead to 24-14 with another touchdown pass. Carmel answered again, as Osborne broke loose for a 75-yard touchdown run. Hebert credited Osborne with “really executing the offense really well,” and with leading the ‘Hounds to a point where they were in control of the game.
Ethan Hall added another rushing touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. Hanna kicked all five extra points.
Hebert said his team’s defense “played with great focus.” That included good play from defensive lineman Scott Hudson and linebacker Dominic Padjean.
“Those two were phenomenal,” said Hebert.
Osborne finished the game with 142 yards rushing, followed by White with 103 yards. Osborne went 5-of-10 in passing for 80 yards, with White and Jaedon King both making two catches each.
Carmel is 8-2 and plays at Brownsburg next Friday in the Sectional 5 championship game. The Bulldogs beat their rival Avon 34-31 to advance to the final.
CARMEL 38, PIKE 14
Score by Quarters
Pike 0 0 7 7 – 14
Carmel 7 7 3 21 – 38
Team Stats PIKE CAR
First Downs 13 20
By Rush 5 14
By Pass 7 4
By Penalty 1 2
Rushes-Yards 25-55 40-298
Yards Passing 155 80
Comp-Att-Int-TD 12-20-1-2 5-10-0-1
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-1
Penalties-Yards 3-22 4-28
Punts-Average 3-31.0 1-45.0
Carmel scoring
First Quarter
6:34 – Luke Conley 1-yard run (Spencer
Hanna kick)
Second Quarter
0:42 – Zach Osborne 29-yard run (Hanna kick)
Third Quarter
7:08 – Hanna 39-yard field goal
Fourth Quarter
11:54 – Zach White 27-yard pass from Osborne (Hanna kick)
9:25 – Osborne 75-yard run (Hanna kick)
6:07 – Ethan Hall 7-yard run (Hanna kick)
Carmel individual stats
Rushing: Osborne 13-142, White 15-103, Jordan Jones 7-24, Hall 2-20, Baron Smith 2-8, Conley 1-1.
Passing: Osborne 5-10-80.
Receiving: White 2-41, Jaedon King 2-19, Jones 1-20.