Forty-three years later, the Carmel football team got the ending it wanted at Valparaiso.
The Greyhounds beat the Vikings 14-10 in the Class 6A north semi-state game, claiming their 12th semi-state championship and punching a ticket to the state finals. Carmel will play Warren Central in next Friday’s 6A title game at Lucas Oil Stadium; the Warriors held off Center Grove 27-20 in the 6A south semi-state final.
The ‘Hounds played Valpo in 1975 for the 3A state title, but lost 14-13. This game was nearly as close. Carmel scored first, with quarterback Gabe Quigley streaking in to the end zone from 49 yards midway through the first period. Spencer Hanna made the extra point kick, and the Greyhounds led 7-0.
The Vikings’ Liam Shepherd made a field goal in the second period, cutting into Carmel’s lead. Still, that was all the offense for the first half, which ended with the ‘Hounds up 7-3. Carmel made that 14-3 early in the third quarter, when Dylan Downing capped an 11-play drive with a nine-yard touchdown run. Hanna again made the extra point kick.
Valparaiso answered a few minutes later on a long drive of its own, with Jesse Harper finishing a 10-play series by running the ball in from seven yards. Shepherd’s extra point kick made the score 14-10.
That would be all the scoring, and the Greyhounds’ defense carried the team through the fourth quarter. With 1:42 left in the game, JD Rodgers sent a punt down the Valpo four-yard line. The Vikings made their way to the 30, but would get no further, as a fourth-and-15 pass fell just incomplete.
Downing led the rushing with 86 yards, while Quigley gained 73 yards on the ground. Quigley also completed six of 13 passes for 66 yards.
Carmel will be making its 15th appearance at the state finals, which moves it into a tie for first-place with Bishop Luers and Cathedral.
Carmel 14, Valparaiso 10
Score by Quarters:
Carmel 7 0 7 0 – 14
Valparaiso 0 3 7 0 – 10
Team Stats
CHS VHS
First Downs 12 11
By Rush 9 7
By Pass 3 3
By Penalty 0 1
Rushes-Yards 38-167 31-98
Yards Passing 66 98
Comp-Att-Int-TD 6-13-0-0 8-22-0-0
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0
Penalties-Yards 3-29 3-19
Punts-Average 7-33.6 7-33.1
Carmel Scoring
First Quarter
Gabe Quigley 49-yard run (Spencer Hanna kick), 5:50
Third Quarter
Dylan Downing 9-yard run (Hanna kick), 8:36
Carmel Stats
Rushing: Dylan Downing 20-86, Quigley 15-73, Zach White 3-8.
Passing: Quigley 6-13-66.
Receiving: Haakon Van Beynen 2-26, Sam Rogers 2-22, Christian Williams 1-13, Aiden Ellison 1-5.