The cold wasn’t that bad, and the bus ride back from Fort Wayne didn’t seem all that long Friday night for the Carmel football team.
That’s because the Greyhounds returned home as regional champions for the fifth straight year. No. 10-ranked Carmel won the Class 6A regional by holding off No. 2 and previously unbeaten Fort Wayne Snider 22-21 in a dramatic game that was played at Northrop High School.
The ‘Hounds are now 8-4, and will host Penn for next week’s 6A north semi-state championship. The Kingsmen routed Crown Point 33-3 to win their regional.
As it turned out, the Carmel-Snider game would be decided in a manic third quarter. The score was tied 7-7 at halftime, and the Panthers struck first with two quick touchdowns to lead 21-7.
The Greyhounds started their run midway through the period, when Will Schmidt ran into the end zone from 11 yards. Matt Fortier made the extra point kick, and Carmel was now within 21-14. The ‘Hounds set up the play when Jake McDonald made a 40-yard pass to Aiden Ellison.
A couple minutes later, the Carmel defense stepped up, forcing Snider into a three-and-out. The Panthers tried to punt, but the snap went over the punters’ head and out of the end zone. The result was a safety, inching the ‘Hounds closer – 21-16.
The Greyhounds took the lead on another run by Schmidt, a 15-yard rush into the end zone. Snider blocked the extra-point attempt, but Carmel now held a one-point lead.
The ‘Hounds would keep the lead all through the fourth quarter. Carmel’s defense made a couple big plays, including a Ben Leary interception early in the period. The Greyhounds clinched the game when Snider fumbled with around a minute to go and Carmel recovered.
Both teams scored their first touchdown in the opening period. Schmidt did the honors for Carmel, punching the ball in from the one-yard line with under a minute to go. Fortier kicked the extra point.
McDonald had a solid game, going 12-for-21 with 123 yards to his credit. Atticus Clouse made four catches. Schmidt finished the game with 51 yards in 14 carries, with Camari Hunt rushing 17 times for 56 yards. Dylan Downing made the most of his five rushes, totaling 45 yards.
With the win, the ‘Hounds claimed their 20th regional title. That places them in a tie with another Fort Wayne team, Bishop Dwenger, for most regionals in IHSAA football history. Dwenger won a 4A regional by beating Angola 34-0 Friday.
