Guerin Catholic quarterback Quentin Klee was 24-of-33 and threw for 301 yards and three touchdowns in the Golden Eagles’ win at McCutcheon last Friday. (Mike Navarro)
By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
Hamilton County teams went 6-2 in their openers and things amp up even more in Week 2. Greyhound Stadium is the site of one of the top games in the state as Class 6A No. 6 Carmel hosts neighboring No. 3 Westfield to open its home schedule. Just east of Carmel on the south side of Noblesville is another top 10 matchup. Class 3A ninth-ranked Guerin Catholic hosts Class 4A No. 10 Pendleton Heights in their home opener.
Week 1 had a few firsts for three Hamilton County teams and they all occurred on the road.
Carmel’s Kevin Wright began his second stint with the Greyhounds with a 49-24 win at Fishers. Former Carmel coach John Hebert notched a road win at Mt. Vernon in his first game as head coach at Noblesville, 21-6. First-year head coach Jake Chesney guided the Sheridan Blackhawks to a comeback win over Greenwood Christian in his first game, 32-29.
The Indiana Football Coaches Association poll entering Week 2 has half of the Hamilton County teams ranked. In Class 6A, Westfield (3), Carmel (6) and Hamilton Southeastern (7) sit solidly in the Top 10. Guerin Catholic is No. 9 in Class 3A.
The USA Today poll has Westfield up at No. 2, HSE (6) and Carmel (7) flip-flop spots. Guerin is at No. 11.
Westfield (1-0) at Carmel (1-0)
The Shamrocks make one of the shortest road trips this week, heading just south to Greyhound Stadium.
Westfield made a statement to open the season last week with a 35-0 home shutout over Homestead. Senior running back and Northern Illinois commit Deacon King showed he’s one of the best backs in the state with 160 yards on just seven carries, highlighted by TD runs of 70 and 50 yards. Aiden Grabowski and Cooper Melvin also ran in scores. Diego Herrera also converted two field goals.
Junior Olumide Fapetu led the defense with 10 tackles, while seniors Isaac Weingart and Alex Aramboles each made 2.5 sacks.
The ‘Hounds got down 10-7 early at Fishers but scored 35 points in the middle two quarters to come away with a 49-24 Week 1 win. Senior quarterback Anthony Coellner, a Troy University commit, showed he’s one of the best in the state. Coellner ran nine times for 108 yards and three scores. He also was 11-for-15 for 200 yards, tossing one touchdown to senior Jacob Bellin, who caught two passes for 54 yards.
Senior running back Andrew Pemberton also crossed the century mark with 101 yards on 17 carries and TD. Sophomore Ayden Johnson added 87 yards and a score on the ground.
The last six matchups in the series are tied 3-3. Westfield won last year’s game, 17-13.
Pendleton Heights (1-0) at Guerin Catholic (1-0)
The Golden Eagles welcome the Arabians this week for just the fourth meeting ever between the two. Pendleton Heights won the first three games in the series in Guerin’s first three seasons between 2006-08. Pendleton Heights won the last meeting in 2008, 41-22.
The Arabians were able to hold off Lebanon in their home opener last week, 22-18.
Guerin posted a big Week 1 win at 5A McCutcheon in Lafayette, 30-13.
After a low-scoring first half, Guerin led 10-0 at halftime. The lead was cut to 10-6 at the end of the third. A 20-point fourth period busted the game open for the big road win.
Senior quarterback Quentin Klee had a handful of targets that he found all over the field in defeating the Mavericks. Klee was 24-of 33 for 301 yards and three TDs. Klee connected with sophomore brother Kolbe in the first and then opened the fourth with strikes to senior Jack Linden and Isaiah Lewis within just 11 seconds of game clock.
Junior Aiden Horn led with 102 yards on five receptions. Lewis caught nine for 83. Kolbe, Linden and Trevor Macey combined for the other 10 catches. Nick Wilson also kicked three field goals.
