If there’s one thing that’s never a problem for the Carmel football team, it’s finding leadership.
Greyhounds coach John Hebert called several returning players “leaders” while talking about his 2021 team. Carmel will have an experienced group coming back from last year’s 9-3 squad that also won a sectional championship.
The list starts with quarterback Zach Osborne. The senior was solid for the ‘Hounds last year, totaling 1,353 yards passing and 575 yards rushing. Osborne threw for 16 touchdowns and ran for 10 more.
“He’s such a great kid,” said Hebert. “He’s a good leader. Probably our most vocal leader, but at the same time, doesn’t always have to be vocal.” The coach also said that Osborne is super attentive and always asks “great questions” in meetings.
“He thrives on getting feedback that he can use to improve,” said Hebert.
The rushing offense will be handled by senior Ethan Hall, who rushed for five touchdowns last year, and junior Desmond Duffy, who steadily improved throughout the 2020 season.
“By the end of the season he was our No. 1 kick and punt returner,” said Hebert. “He had several explosive plays from Week 8 on. He’s definitely an electric player with big-play capabilities.”
Senior Jaedon King and Reece Bellin make up the wide receiver list. King had 13 catches last season as junior.
“He’s really good,” said Hebert. “He’s very smooth, great athlete, accelerates really well, catches the ball great. He’s got a lot of straight-line speed, he can jump up for balls really well. Duffy’s the other end of the spectrum. He’s elusive, he’s super quick. They’re nice counterparts to each other.”
Two offensive linemen returning are left tackle Eric Keffer, who started nine games at that position last season, and right tackle Jack Stark, who Hebert said “started at least three games.” Ryan Pauley, at right guard, is someone that Hebert said “really stands out as a leader.” Also on the lineup are left guard Ben Jeffrey and center Ethan Trent.
Continuing the leadership theme on the defensive end, a player to watch is Solomon Williams. The senior safety brings back the most tackles from last season with 63.
“He’s going to be a great leader for us, kind of like Osborne,” said Hebert. “He’s that type of leader. He’s got several offers from varying level. He’s a 4.3 student. He’s just really, really special.”
Evan Brehl is slated for the nose tackle position, improving in only his second year of playing football. Mason Bardwell and Chase Becker are the defensive ends.
As for newer players, Jackson Reece and Will Heldt are in the outside linebacker positions.
“Neither guy has much varsity experience, but they’ve really done an about face over the off-season in terms of overhauling everything,” said Hebert. “They’re both significantly bigger and stronger and faster and more confident.”
The inside linebackers, Will Webster and Billy Blevins, are also relatively new to varsity football, but they will certainly be passionate about playing.
“They’re seniors, so it just matters so much to them,” said Hebert.
Finally, there are the defensive backs: Safety Winston Berglund (who Hebert thinks is a Divison I player) and corner backs Aidan McFall and Kyle Fedorcha. Other defensive players to watch are Brody Frey, Vince Neal, Artemis Bryant and Lawson Sinnis.
Carmel will play a 3-4 defense and will be rotating fresh players out on to the field throughout the game, which Hebert hopes will be an advantage.
“If you just keep rolling defensive linemen out there, over the course of a game it could be a difference-maker out there,” said Hebert.
The Greyhounds begin their season with a Friday trip to Louisville to play Trinity Lutheran. Carmel was to play Trinity last season, but the game was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. Trinity went on to finish 10-0 and win the Kentucky Class 6A state championship.
“Trinity’s going to be good, no matter what, every year,” said Hebert. “They may have to retrain some guys that don’t have experience. They play football the right way, and you’ve got your hands full every time you go against them.”
The Greyhounds’ home opener is Aug. 27 against Detroit King, a team Hebert calls “supremely talented” with a five-star quarterback, Dante Moore, who is entertaining multiple Division I offers. Carmel hosts Center Grove on Sept. 3 to begin Metropolitan Conference play.
