Last year, Cathedral upset Carmel in the opener. The Greyhounds regrouped, delivered the school’s first unbeaten season in the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference and reached the state championship game before losing to Warren Central, the Marion County school Wright led to three straight Class 5A titles in 2003-05.

Based on Carmel’s 28-21 victory over Cathedral on Friday night, the good news is that the Greyhounds are off to a much better start. It was the sixth  – and last – meeting in the series between the 5A No. 2 Hounds and the 4A No. 1 Irish. The series ended at three wins apiece. Carmel, which visits Huntington North on Aug. 27, will play back-to-back games against Columbus North and Valparaiso to open the 2011 season.

Jesse Hollander and Devin Brinson were the difference makers against the Irish. Hollander rushed for three scores and Brinson, who rushed 23 times for 174 yards, snapped a 21-21 tie, rambling 57 yards with 1:58 remaining. 

Still, as nice as opening victories are, it remains a long season. There’s still much to be done, and Wright said he doesn’t feel any added pressure because Carmel has reached the state finals championship game four straight years, winning in 2007.

   “I have high expectations of myself and this program, which is to win a state championship. That goal will always remain the same,’’ Wright said. “Who improves the most from Game 1, well, that’s what will count on down the road. I’ve never put much emphasis on the first game.”

  Wright said he likes his team a lot.

“It will be tough in our conference once again, but we’ll get better each week. After you battle through the MIC, no matter what happens, it’s nice to know there’s a second season. We’re excited. If we stay the course and show continual improvement, then we’ll have an opportunity to make some noise.’’

Maybe even in November.

Wright, 46, said he’s grown used to playing in late November. Wright played for his dad, Bud Wright, at Sheridan, graduating in 1983. They have won 12 state championships between them. Bud, still coaching and the state’s winningest active football coach (353 wins), has nine Class A titles, the most by any Indiana coach at one school. He also helped dad win a state title his sophomore year while playing cornerback.

“I’ve grown used to playing deep into the postseason and especially around Thanksgiving,’’ said Wright, who paused and then chuckled. “I can tell you this, Thanksgiving dinner at our house was not a happy time of the year if the high school season was over.’’

When told about what his son said, Bud Wright could only smile. “We like to win and we know what it takes to win. Kevin certainly does . . . he is a really good coach, very passionate about football.’’

Some folks may have forgotten that had Wright (172 wins as a head coach in Hoosier land) stayed at Warren Central, he may have well been the one to wear another championship ring. His assistant, Steve Tutsie, took over the reins in 2006 – when Wright left the state for another coaching job – and led the Warriors to a 15-0 record and the state championship that year.

Kevin Wright, who worked his way up to NCAA Div. I football, coached at Western Kentucky University. He returned home in 2008 after undergoing back surgery that kept him from scouting and coaching, and finished his administrator’s degree and coached quarterbacks at Heritage Christian last year. He spent much of the time in the press box. Since he hadn’t fully recovered from surgery, he couldn’t be on his feet for very long.

“A coach deals with youth while an administrator basically deals with adults,’’ he said. “I really missed the inner action you get with kids as a coach.’’

Wright said he’s happy to be back living and coaching in Hamilton County.

“Football receives such great support in Hamilton County,’’ he said, proudly. “Marion County just doesn’t compare in terms of athletic support and excitement and attendance. I missed this atmosphere. I’m happy the Carmel job worked out for me. It’s the place you want to coach.’’

Score by quarters
Cathedral  6  15   0   0 – 21
Carmel       0  14  7    7 – 28

Scoring Summary

Cathedral – Schultz 2 pass from Barthel (kick failed)

Carmel – Hollander 3 run (Babcock kick)

Carmel – Hollander 1 run (Babcock kick)

Cathedral – Horn 15 pass from Barthel (Cureton run)

Cathedral – Barthel 1 run (Steger kick)

Carmel – Hollander 2 run (Babcock kick)