With all the success that the Carmel football team has had in recent years, it says something that coach John Hebert is calling this year’s edition of the Greyhounds “a very special group.”
There is plenty of talent returning for Carmel this season, including 14 starters that helped the ‘Hounds to a runner-up finish in the Class 6A state finals last season. The Greyhounds will begin the year as the No. 1-ranked team in 6A, traveling to Kentucky powerhouse Louisville Trinity tonight for a 7:30 p.m. game.
“We feel we have good depth at most positions and several guys ready to break out that haven’t played on Fridays for us yet,” said Hebert. “We will need to continue to build on our team chemistry in order to succeed in our schedule.”
The offense will be led by two seniors. Running back Dylan Downing gained 1,075 yards and scored five touchdowns last year, while quarterback Gabe Quigley did well both on the ground and through the air: He ran for 383 yards and seven touchdowns and passed for 582 yards, including six TDs.
Two juniors will also be factors in the ground game. Zach White was close behind Downing with 1,056 yards and led in touchdowns scored with nine. John Rogers will return as punter, and Hebert said he is “explosive” as a running back.
Quigley will have plenty of receivers to choose from, including three seniors. Christian Williams led in receptions last year with 31, including five scores. Aiden Ellison had 16 catches, one for a touchdown. Zach Gish made six catches.
Returning linemen include senior Thor Kracht, an All-Metropolitan Conference player from last year, and junior Justin Pickett, a varsity rotator at offensive guard. Junior Spencer Hanna is back as kicker; he was a perfect 36-of-36 in extra-point kicks and made 14 of 16 field goals last season.
Carmel’s defense will be solid again. Two players have already committed to Big Ten programs: Lineman Cole Brevard, a 6-foot-3, 310 pound Penn State commit who had to deal with a broken hand last year, but still played well enough to earn All-MIC honors. Outside linebacker Ty Wise, headed to Indiana University, made 94 tackles last season, including eight for a loss.
Junior linebacker Dominic Padjen returns after an outstanding sophomore season, where he made 102 tackles (six for a loss) and seven sacks. Other returners are senior cornerback Jake Paris (68 total tackles), senior safety Will Padgett (43 tackles), and junior cornerbacks Owen Schafer, a full-time varsity special teams player last year, and Tamarris Springfield, who was a key special teams player last season.
After its trip to Louisville tonight, the Greyhounds will return to Carmel Stadium next Friday for their home opener against Noblesville.
The ‘Hounds open MIC play Sept. 6 by hosting Center Grove.
Kent Graham/File photo
Carmel’s Dylan Downing led the Greyhounds’ rushing with 1,075 yards last season. Downing returns as a senior for this year’s Carmel team. (Kent Graham/File photo)
Dylan Downing looks for an opening.