Another chapter of a classic rivalry will continue on Friday, as Carmel travels to Noblesville for Week 2 of the Indiana high school football season.
The Class 6A No. 2 Greyhounds are coming off a huge win over Kentucky powerhouse Louisville Trinity, ending the Trojans’ long win streak with a 24-21 victory. Sam Rodger’s 21-yard touchdown catch from Tyler Trent sealed the victory for Carmel with 28 seconds to go in the game.
The Millers took on an Indiana powerhouse, Cathedral, falling to the Irish 31-7 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Grant Gremel had a solid game as quarterback, completing 11 of 29 passes for 158 yards.
The two teams played each other twice last season, with Carmel winning both games. The Greyhounds beat Noblesville 31-0 in the regular season at Carmel Stadium, then won a sectional semi-final 25-7 at the Millers’ field.
“It’s a rivalry game,” Noblesville head coach Justin Roden told Hamilton County Television. “They’re right down the road. It’s a fun game. They are fantastic on both sides of the ball. John (Hebert) is a really good coach. It’s probably as good of a coached football team as you’re going to fine. You’re watching offensive linemen take perfect steps off the ball. You’re watching linebackers and secondary players orchestrate a technique that is spot on, that’s perfect. It’s definitely a pretty tough task.”
“I have all the respect in the world for Justin Roden,” said Hebert in an HCTV interview. “He and I have been friends for years. He’s a great defensive guy. He and I share a lot of the same outlooks. I know what they’re trying to do. I’ve seen it work at East Central. We scrimmaged them last year. I think it’s a matter of time. And I also think, you look at the progress a team makes Week 1 to Week 2, there’s a lot there for Noblesville to really sink their teeth into and solidify. How are our guys going to respond? You have a big, emotional win and you beat a team like Trinity. Coming back today to work, the next day or the next week is a big challenge. We’ve got our work cut out for us.”
SHAMROCKS PLAY HOME OPENER
After a win on the road last week, Westfield will take on Decatur Central Friday in the Shamrocks’ home opener.
Westfield beat Harrison 28-16, with Camden Simons rushing for and throwing for a touchdown in the game. Simons was 10-of-14 for 95 yards passing, while Nathan Nguyen rushed for 98 yards and a score.
The Hawks are ranked No. 4 in Class 5A. Decatur started its season with a 14-0 victory over Franklin Central, a team Westfield and the other Hoosier Crossroads Conference programs will see later in the season, as the Flashes joined the HCC this season. Senior quarterback Parker Harrington completed 10 of 18 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown.
“They’re very athletic and fast,” said ‘Rocks coach Jake Gilbert on HCTV. “They have some playmakers for sure, so we’re going to have to match that. They play hard, a good level of swagger and intensity coming out of those guys. They’re in your face defensively. They blitz, they play man coverage. Offensively they’re going fast and really using their speed as an advantage. So they put stress on you. They put pressure on you to do the right thing and play with discipline and execute because they have playmakers.”
HUSKIES HEAD TO NORTH MONTGOMERY
After an emotional game to open its season last week, Hamilton Heights will go on the road to play North Montgomery.
The Huskies played at the Chargers’ field last season, winning 37-23 in the first round of Class 3A Sectional 26. North dropped its opener at North Putnam 28-12 last week. Despite this, Heights coach Jon Kirschner noted that the Chargers have talent on the team.
“They are big,” said Kirschner on HCTV. “They got some large people up front. Tall, 6-foot-4, 260 (pound) type kids. I think they’re very physical. I think they come downhill really hard. They’re not a complicated defense, but I do think what they do, they execute pretty well. Offensively, they’ve got several kids, especially skilled kids returning.
North Montgomery’s quarterback is junior Jaron Bradford, who completed 10 of 18 passes for 42 yards last week. Kirschner noted that Bradford can throw the ball “pretty well” and also moves in space well; thus containing him is a point of emphasis – “making sure he doesn’t get outside of the pocket, because if he does, he’s going to take off.”
Heights lost to Mount Vernon 43-14, where Kirschner coached against his father Mike Kirschner, who is in his first year coaching the Marauders. The Huskies’ DeShawn King rushed for 139 yards.
ROYALS HOST NORTH CENTRAL
Hamilton Southeastern, which is in the 6A rankings this week at No. 10, will play their home opener Friday against North Central.
The Panthers played the Royals’ district-mate Fishers last week, winning 31-7. Meanwhile, HSE came from behind to stun Lawrence Central 21-20 in an exciting game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Matt Harris’ two-yard run in the fourth quarter tied the game, and Mitch Hebenstreit converted the extra point kick to seal the win.
North Central has a great quarterback in Liam Thompson. The senior threw for 243 yards last week, completing 10 of 17 passes and two touchdowns. Senior Alexander Tarver rushed for 119 yards and a score, while senior Tre’von Elliott caught four receptions for 132 yards and a score.
“They’re a really good team,” said HSE coach Adam Morris on HCTV. “Coach (Kevin) O’Shea does an unbelievable job. I think the quarterback’s probably the best one that we’re going to see this year, between him and Gremel at Noblesville. They have a receiver, Tre’von Elliott, who’s really special. He’s got seven or eight touches and it’s like he’s got seven or eight touchdowns. Almost every time he touches the ball he scores. Physical back, little bit younger on defense, but they’re really active up front in the box. It’s going to be a real challenge.”
TIGERS HOST PIKE
Fishers will look to rebound this week as the Tigers welcome Pike to Reynolds Tigers Stadium.
The Red Devils won their opener last week, beating Zionsville 27-19. Fishers and Pike became familiar with each other last year: The Red Devils won last year’s regular season game 43-0, but the Tigers turned the tables in the Sectional 5 championship game, winning 28-7.
Pike is led by junior quarterback Jasen Graves, who passed for 201 yards last week, completing 18 of 27 attempts. Richard Huston had six receptions, including one for a touchdown.
HL Lewis was a solid rusher for Fishers, carrying the ball 22 times and gaining 104 yards.
“They’re like North Central, very athletic,” said Tigers coach Rick Wimmer on HCTV. “They’re going to spread you out a little bit, make you tackle in space. They have an athletic quarterback that can run and pass, which North Central did, too. I think defensively, they’re a very physical defense. They’ll come after you. They run very well on defense. They’ll challenge your receivers with press coverage. In some ways they’re very similar to North Central. We’re going to have to show improvement as a football team to compete with them. And I think we can. We’ve got to play a lot better than we did last week.”
‘HAWKS TRAVEL TO CLINTON CENTRAL
Sheridan is also looking to bounce back on Friday, traveling to Clinton Central for a rivalry and Hoosier Heartland Conference game.
The Blackhawks were overwhelmed by Western Boone last week, 50-12. Sheridan scored two touchdowns in the first quarter – a Jesse Kolb pass from Drake Delph and a kick return from James Manis – but the Stars took off for 24 points in the second period.
The Bulldogs, a 1A team, won their opener by beating 4A Frankfort 18-6. Junior running back Ross Cripe led the CC offense with 144 yards rushing, including a touchdown.
GOLDEN EAGLES PLAY BISHOP’S CUP GAME AT LCC
Guerin Catholic will try to keep the Bishop’s Cup at the Eagles Nest when it travels to Lafayette Central Catholic on Friday night.
The Golden Eagles are also looking to rebound from a tough opener, as they fell in overtime to McCutcheon 19-13. Guerin got good production from Dylan Crossen, who rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown, and quarterback Christian Gelov, who threw for 107 yards and at a 14-of-21 clip.
Central Catholic fell to Tri-West 27-24 in its opener. The Knights got an outstanding effort from senior quarterback Wes Dulin, who went 27-of-44 for 297 yards and three touchdowns. Senior David Schwartz and junior Daniel Roach both had eight receptions, with Schwartz scoring two touchdowns and Roach scoring one.
