Carmel was dealt a Homecoming stunner on Friday night, as two late fourth-quarter touchdowns by visiting North Central sent the Class 6A No. 2 Greyhounds to a 27-21 Metropolitan Conference defeat at Carmel Stadium.
Carmel was the first team on the board, as Jacob Weaver took a fumble recovery 51 yards into the end zone midway through the second period. Spencer Hanna’s kick made the score 7-0, and that would hold through halftime.
The Panthers tied the game just 16 seconds into the third quarter with a 95-yard kickoff return. Two field goals by Scott Hoeg (one in each of the second-half periods) put NC ahead 13-7. But the ‘Hounds scored two quick touchdowns, first on a 60-yard pass to Colton Parker from Christian Williams, followed by an 11-yard run from John Rogers. Hanna made both kicks, and Carmel was ahead 21-13.
But North Central quarterback Harry Abell threw two long touchdown passes in the final four minutes, and that clinched the game. The second score came with 51 seconds left, and the Panthers also made a two-point conversion to get to the final margin.
Williams completed 6 of 15 passes for 99 yards, with Parker getting four receptions for 108 yards. Zach Osborne was 4-of-9 passing for 35 yards. Rogers led the rushing with 57 yards in 11 carries.
This was Carmel’s first loss in the MIC, making the Greyhounds 3-1 and placing them in a three-way tie for second in the conference. Warren Central, a 28-14 winner over Pike on Friday, is on top of the MIC at 4-1.
Carmel is 4-2 overall and plays at Ben Davis next Friday.
NORTH CENTRAL 27, CARMEL 21
Score by Quarters
North Central 0 0 10 17 – 27
Carmel 0 7 0 14 – 21
Team Stats NC CHS
First Downs 17 11
By Rush 4 5
By Pass 10 5
By Penalty 3 1
Rushes-Yards 28-94 26-88
Yards Passing 244 134
Comp-Att-Int-TD 18-37-3-2 10-24-1-1
Fumbles-Lost 2-1 3-2
Penalties-Yards 10-73 10-121
Punts-Average 4-37.8 6-37.7
Carmel Scoring
Second Quarter
5:45 – Jacob Weaver 51-yard fumble recovery (Spencer Hanna kick)
Fourth Quarter
6:49 – Colton Parker 60-yard pass from Christian Williams (Hanna kick)
5:08 – John Rogers 11-yard run (Hanna kick)
Carmel individual stats
Rushing: Rogers 11-57, Williams 2-17, Dylan Downing 7-13, Zach White 3-6, Zach Osborne 3-minus 5.
Passing: Williams 6-15-99, Osborne 4-9-35.
Receiving: Colton Parker 4-108, Baron Smith 2-14, Downing 2-8, Haakon Van Beynen 1-6, Williams 1-minus 2.
Carmel’s Dylan Downing makes a run during the Greyhounds’ Friday Homecoming game with North Central. (Richie Hall)