By RICHIE HALL
Reporter Sports Editor
There is more at stake than meets the eye when the Noblesville and Fishers football teams get together at Hare Chevrolet Field tonight.
For one thing, it’s the first Hoosier Crossroads Conference game for both teams. With only six HCC games to be played, a first win gives a team a running start in the championship chase.
Also, both teams are 0-2 to start the season. Neither team is happy about that, and neither team wants to be 0-3, either.
“We are going to work to put together a full 48 minutes with productivity from all three phases of the game,” said Millers coach Jason Simmons. “The hungrier, more desperate team is likely to come out on top Friday.”
“We are playing some very young and some very inexperienced players due to some injuries and some sickness our team has been dealing with,” said Tigers coach Rick Wimmer. “Those players who have the opportunity to play are going to need to step up to play the kind of Fishers football we can be proud of. We have not been 0-3 since our first season in 2006 so we are playing for the pride of our program. We will find out something about the character of this team this week.”
Both teams have gone up against Metropolitan Conference opponents in their first two games. Noblesville dropped a 17-13 decision to Lawrence North at home, then fell to Carmel 31-0 at the Greyhounds’ Stadium. The Tigers, meanwhile, fell to North Central 19-17 and Pike 43-0.
Despite their rough starts, both teams have quarterbacks that are capable of throwing the ball well. Noblesville’s Grant Gremel has already compiled 277 yards in his two games, with a 33-of-58 completion rate. Fishers’ Jon Vore is well over 200 yards as well, with 246 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
“We are playing a team that is aggressive with movement and scheme defensively,” said Simmons of the Tigers. “They have sound special teams and their offense has weapons at every skill spot. We will have our hands full Friday.”
“I’m very impressed with Noblesville’s defensive front, particularly versus the run game,” said Wimmer. “Carmel had a tough time running the football on them. Offensively, they have good speed at the tailback position and the two quarterbacks give you plenty to prepare for.”
COPPER KETTLE UP FOR GRABS
The Greyhounds will play at Carmel Stadium again tonight, taking on Center Grove in a game that – again – is big for several reasons.
First, it opens MIC play for Carmel. Second, it’s a re-match of last year’s Class 6A state championship, won by the ‘Hounds in overtime. Third, it’s for the Copper Kettle, the traveling trophy that has been at stake ever since both teams began playing each other in 1998.
Both teams are 1-1 entering this game. The Trojans actually started their season with a MIC contest, losing narrowly to Warren Central 27-24. Center Grove took out its frustration on Whiteland in Week 2, winning 41-0.
Carmel’s non-conference season consisted of a 31-3 loss to Kentucky powerhouse Louisville Trinity, then a 31-0 win over Noblesville.
“Our team is trying to continue the momentum we gained last week,” said Greyhounds coach John Hebert.
The Trojans have a junior quarterback, Jack Moore, who has already passed for 233 yards and a touchdown. Center Grove’s leading rusher is a freshman, who has already gained 289 yards and six touchdowns in two games. Junior Sam Hohlt has four receptions, including a score.
“Like always, Center Grove is physical, disciplined and very strong in all three facets of the game,” said Hebert. “In order to win, we will need to have a great week of practice and play with passion and unity. We will need to be able to control the football and win the hidden yardage of the kicking game, a major strength of Center Grove’s.”
Carmel quarterback Jake McDonald has gotten off to a solid start, already passing for 262 yards and two touchdowns. In addition, the Greyhounds have the top two receivers in the county in the early going: Dylan Downing has 11 catches, while Atticus Clouse has nine catches for 125 yards, by far the most distance for a county receiver.
GUERIN TRAVELS TO HERITAGE
Guerin Catholic will play at Heritage Christian tonight in a battle of 2-0 teams.
The Eagles have had two easy wins in their first games, taking care of Broad Ripple 68-0 and Noblesville Home School 63-16. Guerin, meanwhile, has had to tough out its victories, over Martinsville 13-11 and Lafayette Central Catholic 28-14.
The two teams will be conference rivals next season, when Heritage joins the Circle City Conference. The Golden Eagles already have a solid scoring threat in Thomas Kaser, who is the county’s leading rusher with 357 yards in 52 attempts. Kaser has already scored one touchdown, two field goals and five extra-point kicks.
HUSKIES OPEN CONFERENCE PLAY
Hamilton Heights will go on the road to start play in the Hoosier Conference, where it will play Lewis Cass in a battle of 0-2 teams.
The Kings have fallen to Pioneer 30-0 and Coldwater (Mich.) 27-0, while the Huskies have lost to Mount Vernon 17-13 and Kokomo 19-7.
Heights already has an established runner in Blake Webel. The sophomore has scored two touchdowns for the Huskies, and is currently the county’s second-leading rusher with 186 yards.
ROYALS HOST AVON
Hamilton Southeastern begins conference play at Royals Reynolds Stadium tonight, welcoming Avon.
Both teams are 1-1 for the season. The Orioles opened up with a win at Plainfield 58-32, then lost to Ben Davis 52-20. Meanwhile, Southeastern won on the road in Kokomo 24-2, but lost to a much-improved North Central team 37-14.
Avon has some experience on its squad. The quarterback is senior Cameron Misner, who has passed for 234 yards and made 24 of his 40 attempts, including seven touchdowns. The top rusher is junior Sampson James, who has gained 282 yards and scored four touchdowns. Senior Isaac Guerendo, a track and field star for the Orioles, has 11 receptions already, including three trips to the end zone.
The Royals have gotten some good play from new quarterback Cody Huppenthal, who has rushed for two touchdowns so far. Lance Stephens is already past the 100-yard mark in rushing, having compiled 122 yards.
‘HAWKS TAKE ON TROJANS
Sheridan will head to Sharpsville to take on Tri-Central in a game between two Hoosier Heartland Conference teams that won their first league games of the season last week.
The Trojans are 2-0, first edging Delphi 16-14. Then Tri-Central won its conference opener over Taylor 37-21. The Blackhawks dropped their season opener at Western Boone 19-7, then pummeled Clinton Central 56-6 to take their first HCC game.
The Trojans take care of most of their business on the ground, with three rushers already over 100 yards. All three are seniors: Xavier Tunmer has 146 yards, Kyle Colbert has 138 yards and Jarron Grubb has gained 123 yards. All three have scored a touchdown. Senior quarterback Jacob Ripberger has rushed for three scores.
Sheridan, of course, has been doing well on the ground so far. Gunnar Williams already has four touchdowns, two of them by rush. Joe Callahan is one of the county’s running leaders, with 171 yards in his two games.
‘ROCKS PLAY AT ZIONSVILLE
Westfield will start Hoosier Crossroads Conference play tonight at Zionsville. The Shamrocks are 2-0 to begin the year, with the Eagles 1-1.
Zionsville slipped past Pike 33-32 in its opener, but then was stunned by Boone County rival Lebanon 34-31 last week. Westfield beat Harrison 22-7 in its first game, then came back to beat Southport 21-14 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Eagles have an outstanding senior quarterback, Andrew Broecker. Already he’s totaled 421 yards and thrown for four touchdowns. Seniors Mitchell Canada and Sam Edgell both have 11 receptions and are already well over 100 yards in that category.
Shamrocks quarterback Cameron Nance has emerged as a dual threat, with 110 yards rushing and 213 yards passing so far. Nate Froelich is rushing for 173 yards, while Pat Beam is thus far the only county player with two touchdown receptions.
