By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
Head coach John Hebert enters his 10th season leading the Carmel football program. He has had a lot of success in a short time frame, but the last handful of seasons haven’t gone as he and his staff would like. Hebert is 79-32 in his first nine seasons with six sectional, five regional, three semi-state and a pair of state titles (2016 and 2019) to his credit.
The 2023 season ended with a 5-5 record. Carmel lost three of their final four games after a 4-2 start and lost in the sectional semifinal to Westfield, 38-21.
The Greyhounds last won a sectional in 2020 and won their last state crown in 2019. Carmel heads into this football season hungry to get back to the success that their program is nationally known, having won nine state championships in its storied history.
“We feel very good about this year’s team,” said 10th-year head coach John Hebert. “We have made great progress in the weight room this offseason.”
Returning on offense for his second year behind center is junior quarterback Anthony Coellner. The ‘Hounds signal caller looks to improve on his sophomore campaign that had him complete 101 of his passes 180 for 937 yards with eight touchdowns. Senior Colin Johnson brings back a team-leading 424 yards on 93 carries and two touchdowns in the backfield. Seniors Craig Kepler and Holden Mumau, along with junior Andrew Pemberton will provide depth for the run game.
“Our QB and receivers are very talented, and we think our offensive line is as good as the best lines we’ve had in the past ten seasons,” Hebert on his improved offense as a whole.
Carmel returns a couple of key pass catchers in junior Jacob Bellin (11 catches for 194 yards and two TDs) and senior tight end Ozzy Pollard with 16 catches for 137 yards and a pair of TD grabs. Seniors Liam Mann and Nate Williams with junior Dominic Shockley give Coellner a solid handful of options to throw to.
Defensively, senior Jimmie Winbush heads up another stellar Greyhound unit. Winbush had 82 tackles (49 solo, four tackles for a loss), had two pass deflections, recovered a fumble and one blocked field goal. Shockley and senior Drew Cannon each hauled in two interceptions.
“We feel like we are potentially very deep at receiver and all three levels of defense,” continued Hebert.
Senior kicker/punter Lukas Krishtanmoorthy is back to continue his duties on special teams. Krishtanmoorthy punted just six times in limited action last season for a 30.3 average. A backup kicker as a junior, Krishtanmoorthy was a perfect 5-for-5 on PATs and 3-of-3 on field goals with a long kick of 43 yards. Junior Matthew Obermeier will be a reliable backup at both kicker and punter.
“The competition at kicker/punter between Lukas Krishtanmoorthy and Matthew Obermeier has been great this summer and has us encouraged for our special teams capabilities in 2024,” said Hebert complimenting the kicking duo.
This year’s schedule brings on four completely new opponents. Carmel opens at home on Aug. 23 against the Homestead Spartans. Week 2 on Aug. 30 is a short road trip at Westfield to play the neighboring Shamrocks. They begin September on the road at Centerville, Ohio (northeast of Cincinnati) on the 6th and host a national power in Kentucky’s Louisville Trinity on Sept. 13. The ‘Hounds stay home on Sept. 20 to host the Brebeuf Jesuit Braves.
The final four regular season games consist of matchups against former MIC rivals at North Central on Sept. 27, hosting the defending Class 6A state champion Ben Davis Giants on Oct. 4, visiting the Warren Central Warriors on Oct. 11 and back home against the Lawrence Central Bears on Oct. 18.