By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
All eight Hamilton County teams will be in action this week, playing for a chance at a sectional championship next Friday.
Last week gave Classes 5A and 6A a week off while Classes 4A through 1A had the spotlight with Hamilton Heights, Guerin Catholic and Sheridan getting dominant wins in their first-round matchups.
Carmel and Westfield hope to be on a collision course for another playoff matchup in the sectional championship on Nov. 8.
Class 6A Sectional 3
Carmel (3-6) at Zionsville (3-6)
It’s hard to believe that the Greyhounds and Eagles have never met on the football field. Bordering communities with Carmel on the western edge of Hamilton County and Zionsville on the far eastern part of Boone, tomorrow night’s sectional semifinal will be a first.
Head coach John Hebert is in his 10th season with a record of 82-38. Hebert’s in search of his seventh sectional title. In his time, Carmel also has five regional, three semi-state, one state runner-up (2018) and two state titles (2016, 2019). Overall, they have 32 sectional, 22 regional, 13 semi-state and nine state championships (four runner-up finishes).
Carmel got off to a 2-1 start to the season with a home-opening win over Homestead (34-10), lost at Westfield 17-13 and got a big road win over Centerville (OH), 44-23.
The Hounds then lost two in a row to Louisville Trinity (35-23) and Brebeuf Jesuit (28-27). They evened their record on the road at North Central with a 48-14 win over the Panthers.
The final three regular season games were against former MIC rivals, falling in all three contests to Ben Davis (58-30), at Warren Central (32-3) and against Lawrence Central (17-14).
Anthony Coellner completed 60.8 percent of his passes (172-283) for 1,896 yards, throwing 17 touchdowns. He also rushed for 72 yards.
Andrew Pemberton is the leading rusher with 442 yards on 76 carries and three TDs. Josiah Gilmore, Craig Kepler and Khalil Hardister have all been key to backfield depth.
Jacob Bellin has caught 45 for 556 and four TDs, Nathan Williams 522 on 43 with five touchdowns, Dominic Shockley 33 for 345 with three scores (and one kickoff return) and Liam Mann 20 receptions for 211 and a TD.
Former Carmel assistant (2011-18) Scott Turnquist is in his sixth season as head coach (31-38).
Zionsville has followed a similar pattern with their game results. The Eagles lost at Pike, outlasted Lawrence Central and lost at Westfield. They then won two in a row against Franklin Central and Noblesville mid-season.
Now, Zionsville is on a four-game losing streak with losses at Hamilton Southeastern, Brownsburg, at Avon and Fishers.
Quarterback Zach Trent has passed for 981 yards and 12 TDs. Eugene Hilton has 44 catches for 561 yards and 12 TDs and Nolan Teising with 435 on 34 receptions and two scores. Running back Sam Manna has 680 yards rushing and eight TDs.
Carmel last won a sectional in 2020 and Zionsville won three in a row from 2019-2021, with consecutive 5A runner-up finishes in 2020 and 2021.
Harrison (West Lafayette) (6-3) at No. 2 Westfield (8-1)
The Raiders and Shamrocks have renewed their former Hoosier Crossroads Conference rivalry in recent seasons. Westfield owns a commanding 20-5 record in the series and has won all four playoff meetings. The Rocks have won 14 in a row against Harrison.
Westfield won last year’s regular season meeting 33-11.
Head coach Josh Miracle is in his first season after being an assistant under Jake Gilbert since 2011.
Westfield got off to a 5-0 start with wins at Center Grove (34-28), Carmel (17-13), Zionsville (28-10), at Noblesville (38-18) and HSE in overtime (21-14).
Brownsburg (17-13) halted the undefeated start, but Miracle’s squad has gotten back on track with dominating wins over Avon (45-13), at Fishers (46-12) and home against Franklin Central (44-7).
Carsen Melvin leads the Shamrocks at QB with a 66.2 completion percentage, going 106 of 160 for 1,400 yards, throwing 11 TDs and has just four interceptions. He also has rushed 39 times for 154 yards and five touchdowns.
Deacon King leads the ground attack with 848 yards (6.2 average) on 137 carries and 11 TDs. Mikeah Webster has added 289 yards and four scores.
Gabe Aramboles leads the receiving corps with 499 yards on 37 catches and five TDs and Beau Braun 335 on 23 catches and a touchdown.
Westfield has won three 6A sectional titles in a row. The Shamrocks also have seven regional and five semi-state championships, taking home the 2016 5A state crown over Columbus East.
Harrison is coached by Terry Peebles, now in his 11th season (75-40) with the Raiders.
Peebles has guided the Raiders to two Class 5A sectional titles (2018 and 2019). Overall, Harrison has won eight sectional, four regional, one semi-state and one state championship. They won the 1992 4A state title over Fort Wayne Wayne, 21-3.
The Raiders began with a solid win over their neighbors two miles to the south at West Lafayette, 30-22. Then they lost two in a row to Plainfield (24-9) and at Brebeuf Jesuit (56-28).
Mid-season, Harrison went on a four-game winning streak. A road win at Richmond (51-14), home against McCutcheon (35-14), at Marion (36-6) and Anderson (52-0).
Three weeks ago, the Raiders lost at 5A No. 2 Lafayette Jefferson (45-21) and won the regular season finale at Kokomo (29-28).
Quarterback Lannon Nicoloff is a 65 percent passer (102-157) for 1,332 yards and has 11 TDs and four interceptions.
Jack Gonzalez has rushed for 592 yards on 87 carries, good for 13 TDs. Michael Sullivan has 292 on the ground with a pair of scores and Nicoloff has scored five times with 116 yards.
Gonzalez is also the leading receiver with 477 yards on 44 receptions and four TD catches. Quinn Clary has 320 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Jacob Schwartz (223) and Channing Glick (162, 4 TDs) provide depth.
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