Outside the Huddle is breaking down every area regional matchup scheduled for this Friday.
We begin in Class 6A as Carroll (10-1) is set to host Carmel (7-4).
TWO STORYLINES
1. CARDIAC CARMEL
It was no easy road to a Sectional 3 title for Carmel, which beat one-loss Westfield 48-45 on the road to open the sectional, then knocked off Hamilton Southeastern 17-14 in the championship game.
Add in a three-point win over Lawrence Central in the regular-season finale and the Greyhounds have won their last three games by a combined nine points. After losing their first three games decided by seven points or less, the team’s last four victories have all come by four or less points.
What’s it all mean? Well, Carmel is battle tested in playing in the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference (MIC) during the year. Their level of play will be high on Friday.
2. UNDERRATED CARROLL?
As the best in and around Indianapolis, as well as northwest Indiana, battled throughout the year for spots in the top five of Class 6A in the media and coaches polls, Carroll hung around the back of the top 10. Entering the postseason, the Chargers were ranked No. 8 in both polls.
Now, Coach Doug Dinan will be the first to tell you that polls don’t matter, but this week is the first opportunity in the playoffs for Carroll to make a statement and show that it is going to be a factor in 6A.
FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
HARRISON SCHEELE, SENIOR, CARROLL
Should Scheele be getting some love as a candidate for Indiana Mr. Football?
Blitz sure thinks so.
The senior leads the state in receiving yards with 1,231 to go with 84 receptions and 18 touchdowns. He has a receiving score in every game but two this season. One of those was Week 2 against Center Grove, but he still hauled in 10 catches for 114 yards in Carroll’s lone loss of the season.
Scheele has proven to be incredibly dangerous no matter the opponent. Carmel will definitely key on him.
MYCHAEL LEWIS, JUNIOR, CARMEL
Formerly a quarterback at Pike, Lewis transferred to Carmel and has become an all-around athlete who can beat you in a number of ways. With top-end speed and the ability to make defenders miss, Lewis can be tough to corral if he reaches the second level and beyond. He has rushed for 1,355 yards and 16 touchdowns on the year, and has 21 catches as well, showcasing his role as a true all-around threat.
ELI NEUHOUSER, SENIOR, CARROLL
Want a guy who can put his hand on the ground up front? Neuhouser is it.
What about a middle linebacker who can get penetration? Neuhouser.
And what about a team’s second-leading receiver at tight? Yep, Neuhouser again.
The Chargers have utilized the senior in a variety of ways. He has 61 receptions for 654 yards and four scores, while on defense he leads the team in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks.
Carmel must keep its eye on No. 12 at all times on both sides of the ball.
DREW JONES, SENIOR, CARMEL
Jones is moved around by the Greyhounds, from middle to outside linebacker and sometimes closer to the edge of the defensive front. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, he is hard to miss and loves to disrupt in the backfield. He leads Carmel in tackles for loss with nine as well as five sacks.
Expect Jones to be active on defense in an effort to combat quarterback Gabe Frisinger in the pocket.
KEY TO VICTORY – CARMEL
DISRUPT THE PASSING GAME
Over half of Frisinger’s five interceptions this season came against Center Grove in Week 2 when the Trojans picked the senior quarterback off three times.
The turnovers alone were too much to overcome in a 42-17 loss for the Chargers that night. Expect the Greyhounds to have a similar approach on Friday. With its size and athleticism at the first two levels, look for Carmel to attempt to get into the backfield and make Frisinger uncomfortable. SAC teams had a hard time getting to Frisinger and rattling him. Center Grove did it. Carmel will try to do it.
KEY TO VICTORY – CARROLL
LIMIT POINTS
Sounds pretty obious, right? But there is a trend that Carroll needs to combat in this one.
In the Chargers’ last four games in the regional round or after, they are allowing an average of 34.5 points per game. That is including the 41-30 victory over Penn last year.
Carroll can definitely win a high-scoring game, but preferably the defense is able to limit the opponent from piling up points. What is the magic number? 20 points? 25? 30? Who knows.
The defense of the Chargers was lights-out in sectional play with a pair of shutouts, but the challenge gets bigger Friday.
PREDICTION
Coming Thursday when Blitz makes his regional picks.
These opinions represent those of Blitz and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Blitz on Twitter at Blitz_OTH
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