By JIM BELSER
A smothering, opportunistic defense by visiting Penn climbed all over Carmel and didn’t let up on its way to a 34-7 win Friday night, punching a ticket to the IHSAA 6A tournament state championship game next week.
The Penn defense accounted for four interceptions and several quarterback pressures. It also put up a wall that the Greyhounds just couldn’t crack. Carmel (8-5) mustered just 123 yards in the air and 99 yards on the ground in the north Semi-State contest.
A disappointed Carmel coach John Hebert was succinct afterward but complimentary of the opposition.
“Hats off to Penn they had a great game plan and played a great game. Their defense played outstanding,” he said. “They caused turnovers that gave them the ball twice inside the 10 and they ran back another one for a touchdown. It’s hard to win football games when that happens.”
After a 14-0 first half advantage, Penn (12-1) opened its first possession of the second half with a 63-yard eight play drive to go up 21-0 with 6:44 to go in the third. A few minutes later, Caden Paquette of Penn picked off Camel quarterback Jake McDonald at the Greyhound eight-yard line and ran it back for a score.
Carmel answered on its next possession, putting together a seven play 79-yard drive that culminated in a four-yard TD reception by Atticus Clouse. Clouse also hauled in a 42-yarder down the middle on the drive. The senior finished with 80 yards on five receptions.
Carmel suffered a miserable half of football in the first two quarters. Twice McDonald was intercepted, and a muffed punt in the end zone by Carmel netted just one yard, giving Penn the ball at the Greyhound six-yard line. Penn converted two of those Greyhound miscues into scores in the first half.
Turnovers weren’t the only areas of struggle for Carmel. The Kingsmen blanketed the Greyhounds on defense, allowing the hosts just 23 yards on the ground and 38 yards passing. Penn scored on a five-yard touchdown run and a seven seven-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter on the strength of its defense and special teams play.
Nate Frye of Carmel delivered the eight-time State Champion’s only highlight of the first half with an interception. On the play, a Kingsmen receiver allowed the ball to go in and out of his hands with Frye in position to complete the pickoff. The turnover, coming midway through the first quarter, stifled Penn’s third-down play and set up Carmel’s lone attempt at a first half score.
Three downs later following Frye’s interception, Carmel’s field goal attempt went just wide left from 32 yards out. Carmel didn’t get much luck on the other side of the kicking game. Penn’s punter pinned the Greyhounds inside their own red zone twice in the first half.
Summing up the season, Hebert pointed to the positives in a season with a lot of high points, including the Greyhounds deep run in the tournament.
“I am proud of them, we had a lot of ups and downs this season and overcame a lot. I am really proud of our seniors for pulling through this season” Hebret said. “I am going to go into the locker room and give each one a hug and tell them how much I appreciate them.”
Penn plays Ben Davis for the Class 6A State Championship at 7:05 p.m. Nov. 25 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Carmel’s Will Schmidt makes a run during the Greyhounds’ semi-state football game with Penn Friday at Carmel Stadium. Also pictured are Haakon Van Beyen (48) and quarterback Jake McDonald (13). (Kirk Green)