Carmel endured a frustrating night on Friday, as Center Grove came into town and beat the Greyhounds 41-14 in their Metropolitan Conference opener.
The defending Class 6A state champion Trojans led 10-0 after the first quarter, and held Carmel to negative rushing during the period. The ‘Hounds got back on track in the second period, as their defense stepped up and didn’t allow Center Grove any points. Meanwhile, Desmond Duffy got Carmel on the board by catching a two-yard pass from Lleyton Lukowski.
Ben Sponsler made the extra-point kick, and the Greyhounds were within 10-7 at halftime. But the Trojans got going again, putting up 24 unanswered points to lead 34-7 by the fourth quarter.
Lukowski scored in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard run, with Sponsler again making the extra-point kick. The Trojans added a late touchdown to bring the score to the final margin.
Lukowski, filling in for injured Zach Osborne, had a solid game, going 12-for-25 and totaling 160 yards through the air, and also rushing for 53 yards. Jaedon King and Duffy both made five catches.
Carmel is 2-1 and continues MIC play next week at Pike.
CENTER GROVE 41, CARMEL 14
Score by Quarters
Center Grove 10 0 17 14 – 41
Carmel 0 7 0 7 – 14
Team Stats CG CAR
First Downs 22 8
By Rush 15 2
By Pass 6 6
By Penalty 1 0
Rushes-Yards 47-385 38-20
Yards Passing 132 163
Comp-Att-Int-TD 11-15-0-1 13-30-2-1
Fumbles-Lost 2-2 0-0
Penalties-Yards 2-63 1-13
Punts-Average 1-33.0 5-34.8
Carmel Scoring
Second Quarter
5:27 – Desmond Duffy 2-yard pass from Lleyton Lukowski (Ben Sponsler kick)
Fourth Quarter
7:08 – Lukowski 10-yard run (Sponsler kick)
Carmel individual stats
Rushing: Lukowski 9-53, Ethan Hall 9-minus 6, Nick Beidl 2-minus 9.
Passing: Lukowski 12-25-160, Jackson Kazmierczak 1-4-3, Solomon Williams 0-1-0.
Receiving: Jaedon King 5-99, Duffy 5-40, Reece Bellin 3-24.