HAMILTON SE CHEERLEADERS: They Are the Champions!

The Hamilton Southeastern Varsity Football Cheerleaders brought home the Class 4A Indiana high school State Cheer championship for a record third consecutive year.

After completing the 2 ½-minute routine, there was no doubt that they were back . . . and everyone else was competing for second place.

Having won in 2009 and 2010, the Lady Royals made history by becoming the first 4A team to accomplish three State titles in a row.

Southeastern seniors Abby Montgomery and Morgan Lacy were named to the 12-member All-State Cheer Team.

Jake Jones (in cast) finally gets to celebrate Southeastern's sectional football championship with his offensive linemen/photo courtesy of the Jones family.

For the Hamilton Southeastern football team, it’s all about family, a one-for-all-and-all-for-one unity.

The team really came together after quarterback Jake Jones went down in the Sectional 4 victory over Fishers.

Despite being in pain and laying on his back waiting to be carted off to an ambulance, the senior motioned to junior backup quarterback Ross Risley. Risley bent over to hear what Jake had to say . . .

Junior QB Ross Risley says he's ready to guide Royals/HC Sports Daily photo.

“It’s your team now,’’ he told him.

Jones obviously knew that what was originally believed to be a dislocated ankle was more of a serious nature. Much more.

That was a pretty classy way to handle things.

Jones, a three-year starter and one of the area’s top signal-callers, wasn’t  around to see the finish of the 35-10 game or to join in the celebration. His outstanding career came to an abrupt end with 8:54 remaining with his team leading 21-10.

On Saturday after the senior underwent surgery to repair his fractured  right ankle, members of HSE’s offensive line took the sectional plaque to his house  for Jones for him to see and to savor and to cherish just like his team had done several hours earlier.

“I was ready, but I didn’t want to take over this way,’’ Risley said. “It was the next-man-up thing we always talk about. You have to be ready. I was. Coach Toby (offensive coordinator Jacobs) is always telling me to be ready. He told me earlier, but you hope it’s never  necessary because of a major injury like this.’’

Risely, an excellent all-around athlete who has a 32-inch vertical jump in basketball, has taken many snaps this season. However, they were with the junior varsity team. He would practice with the varsity and hone his game throwing the football for the JV team.

“I’m always ready and loose and calm,’’ said Risley, the son of former Indiana University standout Steve Risley, a meber of the 1981 national championship team. ”I know I’m the man now, and I’m ready to lead. I know that Jake will be on the sideline always talking to me, and giving me some advice. We’re a team, all of us, and we play and win as a team.’’

Winning is something the Royals, ranked No.  4 in one poll and No. 6 in another, do quite well. Their only loss was in a 38-37 shootout to Brownsburg, and they are 11-1 going into Friday night’s regional in Fort Wayne against Snider (8-4).

Southeastern coach Scott May says he has a lot of confidence in Risley and his entire team, for that matter.

“It’s unfortunate what happened to Jake. I’m disappointed for him. He was having such a great season,’’ May said. “We know what Ross can do. And we know he has two really great running backs in Ripp (Ryan) and Crockham (Jamitreus) to hand the ball off to. It’s now Ross’ time to lead us.’’

As good as the skill players have been for HSE this season, the offensive line (seniors Hayden Janney, Nestor Porres, Quinn Reuter, Tyler Ochs and Alex Goldinger, and juniors Zach Shuler and Boyd Warner)  have been extremely important in the Royals’ attack.

The line has blocked for an offense that has averaged more than 440 total offense yards per game and is averaging 40.4 points per game.

Now, it’s Risley’s turn to stand and lead behind such a strong line.

Ross says he’s more of a drop-back quarterback than Jake, but that he’s comfortable doing whatever needs to be done to help his team win.

“Jake can throw and likes to run. I’m very comfortable in the pocket, but I can run when the situation calls for me to do so,’’ said the 6-3 Risley, who’s 2 inches taller than Jones.

Jones ended his high school career  completing 102-179 passes (.570 percent) for 1,796 yards this season. He also threw for 17 touchdowns and ran for six scores. He rushed 74 times for 421 yards, a 5.7 average.

Risley has yet to have his 15 minutes of fame, as the saying goes. The Royals hope he has much more than that . . . many times and in many games, beginning Friday night.

It's been a long time coming for Bud Wright, who received the game ball and got a ride on the shoulders of his players/HC Sports Daily photos: Kirk Green.

Larry “Bud” Wright added a page to the Indiana high school football coaching record book on Friday night.

History greeted the 70-year-old legendary coach with open arms, as the Sheridan High School football coach became the state’s winningest football coach with 369 victories in the 48-16 Class A Sectional 36 semifinal victory over  Lapel.

And it was only fitting that the coach of 47 seasons, 46 at Sheridan, set the record at home and on the field where the stadium is named in his honor. Wright tied Jasper coach Jerry Brewer’s record of 368 career wins last week, also in Bud Wright Stadium.

From left: Eric Price, Tyler Carey and Cody Watts form numbers with their fingers to proudly display coach Bud Wright's record 369 victories.

Wright now is 369-160 overall as a head football coach . . . and is 368-157 in 46 seasons at Sheridan.

Wright has led the Blackhawks football program to nine Class A state championships.

That’s also a record . . . nine state championships by one coach, and all at the same school. Retired Ben Davis coach Dick Dullaghan and Fort Wayne Luers’ Matt Lindsay each have won eight.

On Nov. 4, Wright’s Blackhawks (8-3) will play for another sectional championship, the school’s 18th. This time on the road against South Adams (10-1).

When asked about the monumental feat, Wright said he might have time to reflect on it after the season is over.  He credited the support of his past players, administration, community and coaches to his successes in the program.

Coach Wright had the Blackhawks ready to play hard from the start en route to the dominant performance against Lapel. They were up 27-0 before the Bulldogs knew what hit them. Eric Price carried six times for 118 yards and Tyler Callahan rushed 10 times for 79 yards to spark the offense. Price scored on touchdown runs of 1, 78 and 26 yafrds and kicked four PATs; Callahan scored on runs of 20 and 3 yards; and Sam Zachery, who was 9-of-14 passing for 153 yards, fired a 40-yard TD strike to Adam Hoover, who finished with five receptions for 89 yards.

Cody Watts and Tyler Carey keyed the strong defensive effort. Each had two sacks and 10 tackles.

After the game, Price said they wanted to win big for their coach, even though the record  really hasn’t been a subject discussed much. Price added that they will have to work hard this next week to prepare for their next challenge.

This banner says it all!/HC Sports Daily photos: Kirk Green.

It was a double celebration for Sheridan football.

Larry “Bud’’ Wright may be short in stature, but he’s tall in competitiveness and humility . . . And deep inside beats the heart of a champion . . . in a championship coach . . . And a coach who deserves and gets respect.

The legendary Sheridan high school football coach is one step closer to scaling the biggest mountain in Indiana high school football coaching history.

It has taken him 47 years to share the all-time mark of 368 victories with Jasper’s Jerry Brewer.

And now only one more victory in one more game in one more week will have him, all 5-foot-4 of him, firmly entrenched atop that mountain as Hoosierland’s winningest football coach.

Bud Wright wanted to talk more about his team and winning than about records.

Wright, the only football coach to win nine state championships at the same high school, made History I with a 49-12 Class a sectional-opening victory over Southern Wells in Bud Wright Stadium on Friday night.

And it’s only fitting that the record, History II, or at least a chance to get it, is at home once again. The No. 6-ranked Blackhawks (8-3) will meet Lapel (2-8).

“This is the time of year that’s big . . . the start of sectionals. We’ve been fortunate to do that (win a few),’’ he said, when asked his feelings about making 11 trips to the state finals and winning those nine titles.

“Are you getting tired of all the media hype around the record?’’ he was asked.

“Yes,’’ he said with a chuckle. “It’ll be nice to get it past us.’’

Then he turned a little more serious.

“We really hadn’t talked about the record as a team . . . tonight is the first time,’’ Wright said while reflecting on his accomplishment and what his teams have done  to get him where he is. “But it’ll be nice to at least have a chance to get the win in front of our fans.’’

Star tailback Eric Price, who leads Hamilton County in rushing with 1,616 yards, reiterated pretty much his coach’s thoughts on the record.

“No, we really don’t talk about it, not even when those of us (players) get together,’’ said the senior who accounted for 18 points, including touchdown runs of 13 and 81 yards. He also kicked three extra points and ran in a 2-point conversion and rushed 20 times for 212 yards.

Junior Tyler Callahan runs for one of his two touchdowns.

(Tyler Callahan and Sam Zachery each rushed for two scores to help the cause. Callahan also rushed 17 times for 106 yards, and Zachery passed 15 yards for a score to Adam Hoover.)

“He’s a great coach. He puts us in a position to win,” Price said. “If we keep winning, then he’ll get the record. But winning state is our goal, so we want to win for us, and then we want to win for him. Coach, like us, puts football and our team success first. But it will be nice to be part of it with him.’’

A special moment came near midfield after the game when Wright assembled his team, which is common after every game. But, of course, this wasn’t just another game.

The P.A. announcer announced that Wright had tied for the most victories in in history. The players, in unison, cheered and then clapped.  It was probably one of those rare speechless moments for their coach. He nodded in appreciation, and then led them in prayer.

Then he walked toward the stands and was greeted by some of the player’s mothers who proudly displayed a banner congratulating him for his big moment in history.

A big moment, indeed!

Sheridan's Larry "Bud'' Wright has been a builder of young men on the football field and in the classroom for nearly a half century.

For the Wrights, the Family Tree is rooted deep in athletics and academics.
Larry “Bud’’ Wright, the legendary coach at Sheridan High School who’s on the verge of becoming Indiana high school football’s winningest coach, started it all as an educator and state-championship football coach.

Coach Wright with his youngest of two daughters, Cheri Hume, the athletic event coordinator at Sheridan High School/HC Sports Daily photo: Kirk Green.

All three of his sons played on one of his nine Class A state championship teams.
Kevin Wright, 47, played on his dad’s first championship team as a sophomore in 1980.
Kevin, who won three straight Class 5A state football championships at Warren Central, is in his second season as the head coach at perennial 5A power Carmel. He’s 17-3 at Carmel entering Friday night’s sectional opener against visiting Perry Meridian.

Kevin, one of the state’s top coaches, has a 152-57 won-loss record (.727 percentage) in 18 seasons. Papa Wright’s overall record is 367-160 (.697).

Legendary coach: Bud Wright needs 2 wins to become Indiana high school football’s winningest coach with 369.

More Photos & Memories: Click on continue reading.

Kent Wright is in his 11th season coaching at Class 4A Lebanon, where he’s won a little over 50 percent of his games. He played on Sheridan’s 1984 championship team.
Travis is an assistant football coach at Pioneer. He played on the 1995 team.
Three of Bud Wright’s grandsons played. Tyler Hume, played four seasons at Sheridan. He started on the 2008 team, and graduated in 2011, while Brent Hume played four seasons and was the Phil Eskew Mental Attitude Award recipient in 2008, and Chris Laughlin played on the 1998 team.

Coach Wright with grandsons Tyler (left) and Brent Hume after receiving state runner-up medals. Both young men attend DePauw University.

Now, moving on to teaching and their other business of being educators, consider
this: Kevin’s wife, Elizabeth, is principal at Hamilton Heights middle school.
. . Kent’s wife, Trina, is a professor at Purdue University . . . Bud’s daughter
Cheri (Hume) is the athletic event coordinator at Sheridan High School, as well as a middle school social studies teacher.
All of Bud Wright’s state championships came at the same Hamilton County school. Family aside, that puts him in another class by himself.
 Now in his 47th season at Sheridan, Wright needs two more wins to be in another class by himself: Indiana’s top high school

Coach Wright in the RCA Dome coaching one of his state championship teams.

football coach in career victories. Jasper’s Jerry Brewer retired with 368 victories . . .  but only one state championship. Wright can match that victory total Friday night at Sheridan in a sectional opener against Southern Wells.

Wright has worked hard and long . . . and he certainly deserves to get the record.

Should the football gods not grant him his wish this season, then he’ll be back to get it in 2012. He’s said he plans to return — with or without the record.

Wright has not put a time table on retirement. “There’s no reason to do something else if you enjoy what you are doing,’’ he says, matter-of-factly.
Other than possibly setting the record, he really doesn’t have a bucket list.
He was asked “if you had one wish you’d like to see come true, what would it be?’’

“Would it be to see Kent get a state championship?’’

He leaned back in his chair in his crowded and stuffy office and smiled, “Yes . . . to see Kent win a state championship.’’
Continuing on with the growth of the Family Tree, Kevin put it all in perspective.

“Travis has a daughter, Emily (8th grader). I actually have another sister (Lana), who is one year younger than me and was class valedictorian; she never made a “B” in her life!’’ said Kevin.

Lana is the oldest sister, and Kent is four years younger than Kevin. Also, Perry Hume, Bud Wright’s son-in-law, played for him and was a starter on the 1984 state championship team.

Coach Bud Wright, in 1992, when he was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame.

“All of my dad’s sons and grandsons played on at least one state champ team at Sheridan,’’ Kevin said. “At one point on my dad’s side of the family there were 23 teachers, and someone from our family was teaching in every school system in Hamilton County.’’

Kevin said his dad’s mom always wanted to be a teacher but was unable to teach because she raised her children and several others that were not hers . . . “We always marvel at how her unselfishness led to dozens of teachers who have gone on to impact hundreds of lives both teaching and coaching.’’

Kevin said his mother, Jayne, who has been deceased for a few years now, was the same way. “She raised 5 of her own children, and one grandchild; she was a fixture at SHS . . . washing uniforms, working the concession stand, making sure she was allowing her husband and kids to be successful,’’ he said, with a sense of pride.

When Jayne passed, they had to have the funeral in the SHS gym where over 3,000 people attended.

“That shows you the impact she had on a community of 2,500,’’ Kevin said.

You have to believe that the Sheridan Blackhawks victory bell isn't done ringing. A loud ring Friday night at Bud Wright Stadium would be only fitting for a coach on the threshold of achieving more greatest and adding to his legacy.

As far as carrying on the family legacy . . . everybody starting with me has worn the #25 (jersey),’’ said Kevin, “So it would go like this”:

Sons — Kevin . . . he has a 5-year-old named William. “Not sure where he will play yet!’’ Kevin said. Kent . . . 2 sons; Kameryn who graduated from Lebanon in 2010, and a younger son who is a junior. Both played in SHS youth program where Kevin’s sister Cheri was the Youth Football president.

Lana, Kevin’s other sister, had a son named Chris Laughlin, the son of Lana, Kevin’s oldest sister, later helped coach for Bud after he graduated (he is in law school at IUPUI).

Tyler got to wear  #25 when Cheri’s oldest son, Brent, graduated in 2009.

And to add to the success factor, Kevin, Kent, Brent and Tyler were All-State players as well.

That’s truly an All In The Family story . . . the Wright way!

Bud Wright’s State Finals Years

State Championships (9)

1980 (A), 1984 (A), 1987 (A), 1988 (A), 1992 (A), 1998 (A), 2005 (A), 2006 (A), 2007 (A)

Runner-Up Finishes (2)

1994 (A), 2008 (A)

Unbeaten Seasons (5)

1980-81 (13-0)      Sheridan 27, North Judson 0

1984-85 (14-0)      Sheridan 19, North Judson 10

1988-89 (14-0)      Sheridan 59, Bremen 0

2006-07 (15-0)      Sheridan 34, Cardinal Ritter 28 (OT)

2007-08 (15-0)      Sheridan 34, Rockville 28

HC Sports Daily photo: Mark Morrow.

First-year Hamilton Southeastern Principal Matt Kegley proudly accepts the 2011 Indiana high school girls golf championship plaque prior to the start of Friday night’s HSE-McCutcheon football game. The seniors made the presentation. The Lady Royals won the past two state championships, and three of the past four. They are coached by Steve Guenin.

>>>Pairings for the 39th Indiana High School Football State Tournament, presented by the Indianapolis Colts, will be announced Sunday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. on the IHSAA Champions Television Network (WTTV-4). The brackets will also be announced via webcast and on radio affiliates statewide webcast at www.ihsaatv.org .

>>>Also, the pairings for the 40^th IHSAA Volleyball State Tournament will be announced via webcast at www.ihsaatv.org on Oct. 10 at 7 o’clock. Again, pairings will be posted on the IHSAA website at the end of the show.

 Tigers’ Drew Clark Makes JC Baseball Commitment

Drew Clark, an oufielder/first baseman/righthanded pitcher for the Fishers Tigers, has made a verbal commitment for 2012 to attend Heartland Junior College in Illinois

No. 1 Singles Hound Mihir Kumar Commits to Northwestern 

Senior Mihir Kumar, Carmel’s No. 1 singles player the past two seasons, made a verbal commitment to Northwestern University.

 Sarah Pruden Honored As Noblesville’s  Athlete of the Week

 Sarah Pruden was named Noblesville’s Athlete of the Week in Week No. 7 since the high school started honoring athletes this season.

Pruden, a member of the Lady Millers volleyball team, had 14 digs, 5 blocks and 28 kills in two wins last week.

She registered 20 of those kills in Noblesville’s victory over Hamilton county rival Hamilton Southeastern.

_

Bone Marrow Registry Drive Scheduled For Oct. 14

The Michael Treinen Foundation is sponsoring a Bone Marrow Registry Drive — Be The Match!

It is on Friday, Oct. 14 at Hare Chevrolet Football Field before and during the Noblesville football game. The registry is from 6-8 p.m.

“This is truly a chance for you to save a persons  life. Join the registry and be the HOPE for someone,’’ said Kelly L. Treinen, Principal at Promise Road Elementary.

                                                                                                                                                              — Hamilton County Sports Daily

The calendar says it’s October. That means Indiana high school basketball soon will be upon us.

Practice begins Oct. 24 for the girls, with first contests scheduled on Nov. 7. That’s also the first official practice date for boys basketball. Their games tip off on Nov. 21.

Hamilton Southeastern expects to field very competitive teams in both girls and boys basketball this season. The boys team, in fact, will compete in the City Securities Hall of Fame Basketball Classic in New Castle on Dec. 30. The Royals play Pendleton Heights and North Central meets Kokomo. The winners play that night for the championship. 

(The girls Classic is Dec. 29.)

 Prior to the start of one of the football games this season, these members of the Lady Royals basketball team took time to check out the Hamilton County Sports Daily banner. Pictured are (from left to right) seniors Rebecca Berger, Kaylee Willman and Jordin Alexander.

 Hamilton County Sports Daily is in its second season covering the nine Hamilton County high schools. It is the only daily all-sports website in Hamilton County . . . as well as the only free daily sports and news website.

Will 2011 produce any state championship games  or titles for Hamilton County football teams?

The IHSAA will air the tournament draw on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.

 If you put any stock in the Sagarin Rating System, then . . . yes . . . there’s a strong possibility. If things play out the way they currently stand in those computer ratings, three county teams should be playing for state championships.

 Class 5A Carmel, with the state’s highest rating (107.53), and No. 3 Hamilton Southeastern (102.35) play in different sectionals this season, so they could follow the road to a possible Class 5A collision in the state championship game on Nov. 26.

 Carmel is ranked No. 2 in the state behind No. 1 Warren Central in the state polls. And, of course, only one of those Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference schools could advance to the state finals since they are in the same sectional.

 Those fierce rivals square off Friday night at Lucas Oil Stadium. Ironically, Warren Central – second in Sagarin Ratings – is ranked No. 15 nationally.

 In Class A, two-time defending state champion Lafayette Central Catholic  is both No. 1 in the AP and Coaches’ Association polls and No. 1 in that class, according to Sagarin. Sheridan is No. 2 in the power rankings. LCC is unbeaten and riding a 36-game winning streak; Sheridan is 4-2, but riding a great deal of momentum with a four-game winning streak after losing to Class 3A Western Boone and second-ranked Hamilton Heights, which is No. 6 in the Sagarin ratings.

 But first things first.

 A lot must happen before county schools can start thinking championships, let alone thinking about possibly winning a championship.

Carmel, for one, will know more about itself after Friday night, and then there’s that regular-season finale at No. 4 Ben Davis. Warren Central also has highly regarded Center Grove on the schedule before the postseason.

 It would only be fitting if the draw lands Carmel and Warren in opposite brackets and they meet in the Sectional 5 final.

 It would probably be fitting for Hamilton Southeastern and defending 5A state champion Fishers in Sectional 4. So far, both town of fishers schools have proved they are the cream of the crop among county schools in that sectional.

  The Tigers are 4-2. One of those losses came against HSE (28-7). The Royals beat the Tigers last year  (40-17), only to be shut out (28-0) in the sectional finale.

 So a possible HSE sectional title isn’t likely to come easily. Plus, Fishers is ranked No. 12 by Sagarin. Plus there’s that rivalry thing. Plus, things that might look one way on paper don’t always turn out that way on the field.

 In 3A, Hamilton Heights, currently working on back-to-back regular-season finishes, is rated No. 6 by Sagarin. Can the Huskies advance through a new sectional? A tough sectional, where Western Boone and West Lafayette are also 6-0? Can they finally handle No. 1 Bishop Chatard (5-1) should they meet again? Last year’s season ended 12-1 after a regional

 Sheridan and Lafayette CC would make an interesting match-up. Had Sheridan not moved from the Hoosier Conference this season to the Hoosier Heartland Conference, they would have met this year in the regular season, since LCC is in the Hoosier Conference.

 Sheridan coach Bud Wright was not happy about switching conferences, and it’s a known fact that the Blackhawks would love to get a shot at the Knights.

 Class 2A, which is a new class for Guerin Catholic, could prove interesting. The Golden Eagles moved up from Class A this season, and so far they’ve been more than just competitive, winning 4-of-6 games.

 They’ll face a mighty big test on Oct. 7, when Chatard  pays a visit. Guerin, a team with many skill players and 16 returning starters, already owns a victory over 4A Greenwood.

 Here’s a look at the sectionals (with records after six games) involving Hamilton County football teams:

Class 5A 

Sectional 4-Hamilton Southeastern (5-1) Anderson, Fishers (4-2), Anderson (4-2), Harrison, Lafayette Jeff, McCutcheon, Noblesville (1-5), Westfield (1-5), Lafayette Jeff (2-4), McCutcheon (2-4), Harrison (0-6).

Sectional 5-Carmel (6-0), Warren Central (6-0), Lawrence Central (5-1), Southport (4-2), Tech (3-3),  Lawrence North (2-4), North Central (2-4). 

 Class 3A 

 Sectional 20- Hamilton Heights (6-0), Western Boone (6-0), West Lafayette (6-0), Southmont (4-2), North Montgomery (3-3),  Twin Lakes (3-3), Crawfordsville (2-4).

Class 2A 

Sectional 29- Shenandoah (6-0) , Centerville (5-1), Guerin Catholic (4-2), Heritage Christian (3-3), Alexandria (2-3), Union City (2-4), Frankton (1-4), Winchester (0-6).

Class A 

Sectional 36-South Adams (5-1), Union City (5-1), Sheridan (4-2), Monroe Central (3-3), Southern Wells (3-3), Wes-Del, Lapel (0-6), Wes-Del (0-6). 

>>>Carmel (5-0), Hamilton Heights (5-0) and Hamilton Southeastern (4-1) are sitting pretty and would appear to be a cut above the rest.

Football: WEEK 6

____________________

Click on continue reading

for  records/team averages

____________________                                                               

>>>Noblesville and Westfield own identical 1-4 records, and each is in danger of finishing with losing records for the fourth straight season.

>>>Fishers and Guerin Catholic are in good positions to build on  3-2 records, as is Sheridan, which has won its last three games.

>>>No one has a better four-year record than Hamilton Southeastern’s Scott May, who’s 43-9 with an .827 percentage heading into Friday night’s visit by Westfield, and the 5A No. 6 Royals appear to be in the best position to win the Hoosier Crossroads  Conference championship for the fifth consecutive season, or at least share it for the third straight year.

Avon’s 17-14 victory over Brownsburg last week threw the HCC race into a four-team logjam. Like Southeastern, Avon, Brownsburg and Zionsville are 4-1. HSE’s loss was a one-pointer to Brownsburg.

>>>Defending 5A state champion Fishers, which shared the title with HSE the past two seasons, still must deal with once-beaten Zionsville and Brownsburg. Fishers coach Rick Wimmer is 33-9 over the past four seasons (.786). His Tigers were 14-1 in 2010.

>>>In the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference, 5A No. 2 Carmel still must deal with No. 1 Warren Central on Sept.  30 and once-beaten Ben Davis in the regular-season finale, and Warren also still has a date with a pretty fair Center Grove team that was manhandled by the Greyhounds. Regardless of that Sept. 30 outcome, there’s a strong chance the Greyhounds and Warriors could meet again in the sectional, which gets under way on Oct. 21.

(Speaking of good records: Carmel coach Kevin Wright is 14-2 in his second season with the Greyhounds.)

>>>Over in the Mid-Indiana Conference, first-year coach Mitch Street has his 3A No. 2 Huskies putting up big numbers, nearly 35 points per game. They have won 14 successive regular-season games, and are four wins away from adding a second straight unbeaten regular season. However, after this week, they have back-to-back tests against Northwestern and Western before closing with Peru.

>>>If the chemistry is right and the Blackhawks have finally come together as a team, they could  win the Hoosier Heartland Conference in their first season in the HHC, coach Bud Wright has a good chance of becoming  the winningest coach in Indiana high school football history this season (he’s a t 364 and the record is 368), and Sheridan certainly has the talent to make a run in the postseason. The Blackhawks only have Tri-Central left on the HCC schedule.

>>>Guerin Catholic, which does not compete in a conference, could conceivably loose a couple more games, but coach Andy Kremer’s Golden Eagles are pretty solid, and another  good showing, this time up one notch in Class 2A, is possible. Guerin still has dates against 4A Greenwood and Jay County, and 3A Brebeuf Jesuit and top-ranked  Bishop Chatard, the reigning 3A state champion.

>>>Noblesville visits Westfield on Oct. 7. Though they have enough offense to trigger a surprise before it’s all said and done, only a decent run in the postseason likely will be needed if either hopes to have a shot at a winning season. The Millers are better than their record might indicate. Westfield has shown some good signs of being competitive under first-year coach Jake Gilbert, and the Rocks have one of the most prolific and big-game-capable quarterbacks around in senior Wade Burtron. Burtron was masterful in last year’s 49-42 victory at Noblesville.

Best Of The Best

>>>Carmel’s Jalen Duncan and Hamilton Heights’ Logan Cunningham lead the county in scoring, each with 11 touchdowns and 66 points.

>>>Sheridan’s Eric Price leads in rushing with 749 yards, while Duncan has rushed for 683. Cunningham, who has rushed for 547 yards in only 49 carries, owns the best percentage at 11.2 yards-per-carry.

>>>Guerin Catholic’s Mitchell Paige is the top receiver with 28 catches and 431 yards. He’s also returned two kicks for TDs and one punt for a score.

>>>Guerin Catholic’s Tino Smith has thrown for the most yards (851), followed by HSE’s Jake Jones (832), Wade Burtron (812) and Heights’ Corey Beck (808) . . . Carmel’s Brandon Denning, who has only had to  put the ball in the air 36 times, has completed 24 passes for a county-best .667 percentage. Jones follows at .652 (45 of 69) . . .  Smith, coming off a four-touchdown aerial show last week against Arlington, has thrown for 10 TDs so far. That’s one more than Beck.

Hamilton County Football

Records and Season Averages

                       W       L       Off      Def       

Carmel              5     0       49.0       8.2

Hamilton Hts. 5     0       34.8       11.6

Hamilton  SE   4     1       32.4       20.6

Sheridan          3      2      33.4      17.0 

Guerin Cath.  3      2      31.6       21.0

Fishers             3      2      22.4      18.2

Westfield        1      4      21.2        30.0   

Noblesville     1      4      12.2       25.2