Carmel defeats Penn to advance to 6A Final; fallen official is OK
By CRAIG DRAGASH
ISL Correspondent
CARMEL, Ind. — The Carmel Greyhounds ended 6A #1 Penn’s bid at an undefeated season, knocking off the Kingsmen 28-13 on Friday night and advancing to face Warren Central in two weeks for the inaugural 6A state title.
But there was a bigger story that came about in the second quarter, and it had nothing to do with the game.
With 8:44 left in the second quarter, Carmel had a first-and-goal from the 9-yard line, and as the head referee went to blow the whistle to start the play clock, he collapsed on the field. Carmel training and medical staff rushed onto the field, and they were seen performing CPR and shocking the fallen official with an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Both teams were sent back to the locker room as the staff continued to work on the official. About 10 minutes later, the official was carted off of the field, and as he was being transported off of the field, he waved his hand in the air, indicating to the crowd that he was alright. The crowd on both sides erupted in applause with the good news. There was an additional delay afterwards as the remaining officials collaborated on how to proceed, and the players were allowed to warm up.
Carmel athletic director Jim Inskeep updated the official’s status on Twitter: “Tonight’s referee is alert and prognosis is good. Spoke with him late & he is extremely appreciative of the well wishes and @DefiningSports“
The score was 7-3 in favor of Carmel at the time, as Carmel scored on its first drive on a 12-yard touchdown run by Isaac James, and Penn settled for a field goal after driving deep into Greyhound territory. It was the first time Penn trailed all season.
When play resumed, Carmel appeared to be affected by the delay. The Greyhounds had a false start on their first play, consecutive plays that each resulted in 1-yard losses, and a dropped pass by Jason Baldridge and a missed 33-yard field goal attempt by Adam Kremer.
Carmel started its next possession after a second field goal by Penn with good field position at its 42-yard line. After advancing the ball into Penn territory, consecutive false start and holding penalties moved the ball back to the Carmel 37, and after consecutive incomplete passes by James, Carmel punted, and Penn ran out the clock, going into the locker room trailing 7-6.
The Greyhounds received the second half kickoff, and as they have many times this season, they marched down the field with a heavy dose of running back Shakir Paschall. He eventually was stopped on fourth-and-one, and Penn took over at its 21.
Similar to Carmel’s previous drive, Penn moved the ball to the 50-yard line, then consecutive holding penalties backed up the Kingsmen all the way back to their 24. Carmel would again have great field position at the 50, and this time, the Greyhounds cashed in. James made several Penn defenders miss with his shifty moves, and he scampered 31 yards to give the Greyhounds a 14-6 lead after three quarters.
With just over eight minutes to play, Carmel cornerback Jack Conway jumped in front of a pass intended for Nate Miller and picked it off and had nothing but the end zone in front of him. He returned the interception 31 yards for the touchdown, and the Greyhounds led 21-6.
Penn started a drive with just under six minutes left. On second and five from their 48 yard line, Penn quarterback Zach Oakley found Tyler Sousely, but as he advanced into Carmel territory, the ball was knocked loose from his hands and Carmel defensive back Alex Akins picked it up and ran it back to the Penn 18-yard line.
On Carmel’s next play from scrimmage, James kept on the read option and scored, but the play was called back on a holding penalty. On the next play, Chris Perkins fumbled and Penn had the ball back at its 25, down 15 with five minutes to play.
On a third-and-4, Oakley broke a 56-yard run to the Carmel 13-yard line, and four plays later, he finished the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run to cut the Greyhounds’ lead to eight with 3:11 left.
Paschall dominated the next Greyhound possession as he carried on all four of Carmel’s plays on the drive, the last one a 27-yard touchdown run, and Carmel led 28-13 with less than two minutes left.
Penn failed to gain a first down on its final possession, and Carmel took over, ran out the clock and secured a date with Warren Central, a 12-7 winner over Center Grove.
Penn finished with a 12-1 record. Carmel improved to 10-3.
Observations:
- The Carmel training and medical staff employed by St. Vincent’s Sports Medicine deserves high praise for their work in taking care of the fallen official on the field. It appeared as though they saved his life.
- Penn quarterback Zach Oakley was very impressive. He showed tremendous arm strength, and made several throws that needed to be right on target to complete the pass, and he did just that. Central Michigan did well to sign him. His passing numbers didn’t stand out, as he completed 15 of 29 passes for 119 yards, but he ran for 147 and a touchdown.
- Carmel’s Isaac James went the distance at quarterback in this game. He had been gradually taking over Carmel’s offense throughout the season.
- Carmel’s rushing attack continues to get better and better. James finished with 136 yards and two touchdowns while Paschall tallied 121 yards and one touchdown.
- The game’s first penalty was the play after the game resumed after the delay for the official with 8:44 left in the second period. After that, there were 11 penalties called over the remainder of the game.
- Carmel defeated Warren Central 21-15 in their regular season contest on October 4. Both teams enter the championship game with 10-3 records.
- Former Carmel quarterback and Mr. Football Morgan Newton was seen at the game, as was Bud Wright, legendary Sheridan head coach, and father of Carmel coach Kevin Wright.
