Just by looking at the box scores, one would suspect that the victories the Carmel Greyhounds have amassed in the IHSAA Football State Tournament have not been overly impressive.
21-7 over Westfield. 7-0 over Fishers. 17-9 over Hamilton Southeastern. 10-7 over Fort Wayne Snider.
Of course, that doesn't mention the fact that the last three teams the Greyhounds had played against were a combined 29-4 heading into their games against the Greyhounds. Now that's impressive.
"You know our kids hang in there," said Carmel Head coach Mo Moriarity. "They've worked hard in the off-season, they've paid the price, and they come out every day and practice hard."
That's the beauty of the 2009 version of Mo Moriarity's Carmel Greyhounds. They aren't going to blow you away, but ever since dropping their season opener against Cathedral by the score of 7-3, the Greyhounds have managed to win 12 straight times en route to their fourth straight Semi-State championship game.
"Well, you know basically this is a team that finds a way to win," said Moriarity. "That's what we did last Friday night against a very good Snider team on the road."
Down 7-3 in the third quarter against Snider, a team the Greyhounds had faced for the third year in a row in the Regional championship, the Greyhounds offense had continued their stagnant offensive play.
But that's when Senior Quarterback Adam Shaffer, who had the daunting task of replacing last year's Mr. Football Morgan Newton, stepped up on third and 19 and connected with John Schmidt on a 39 yard touchdown pass that ultimately ended up being the difference in the game.
"Adam's been phenomenal this year for us," said Moriarity. "Coming in and replacing 'Mr. Football' and the 'Gatorade Football Player Of The Year' in Morgan Newton, those are big shoes to fill. Adam has come in with the right attitude. He knows he's not Morgan Newton, but Adam's been spectacular for us. I think he's completed 70% of his passes and he runs the ball well."
"He's been really, really good for us, and he's a big reason why we're still alive right now in the tournament."
The Greyhounds are going to need that type of play from their quarterback Shaffer on Friday night when they travel to Merriville in their attempt to win a fourth straight Semi-State championship.
The Pirates, who have also won twelve straight since dropping their season opener 49-16 to Warren Central, squeaked by an 11-1 Mishawaka Cavemen 28-27 in a game that was too close for comfort.
Up 28-21 with only 1:35 left in the fourth quarter, Merriville's looked as if they were to squander their lead when Mishawaka's Cortez Lee rushed in a short touchdown to put Mishawaka down 28-27.
But instead of going for the extra point, Mishawaka's second year Head Coach Bart Curtis decided to go for the victory with the two-point conversion, and the Pirates stuffed the run attempt for the victory.
It's this Merriville defense, a squad that has allowed only 15 points per game on the season, that Moriarity believes will be Carmel's biggest obstacle in the way of their fourth straight state finals appearance.
"Defensively they are stout," said Moriarity. "They are big, physical, quick, and athletic. That is the strength of their team, their defense."
Which is why just like all of Carmel's previous victories in the IHSAA tournament, Moriarity and the Greyhounds expect a very close game on Friday night.
"That's what we've seen. Basically, there's been a lot of close football games. I expect this one to be another challenge, and our kids are going to come out and play hard."
21-7 over Westfield. 7-0 over Fishers. 17-9 over Hamilton Southeastern. 10-7 over Fort Wayne Snider.
Of course, that doesn't mention the fact that the last three teams the Greyhounds had played against were a combined 29-4 heading into their games against the Greyhounds. Now that's impressive.
"You know our kids hang in there," said Carmel Head coach Mo Moriarity. "They've worked hard in the off-season, they've paid the price, and they come out every day and practice hard."
That's the beauty of the 2009 version of Mo Moriarity's Carmel Greyhounds. They aren't going to blow you away, but ever since dropping their season opener against Cathedral by the score of 7-3, the Greyhounds have managed to win 12 straight times en route to their fourth straight Semi-State championship game.
"Well, you know basically this is a team that finds a way to win," said Moriarity. "That's what we did last Friday night against a very good Snider team on the road."
Down 7-3 in the third quarter against Snider, a team the Greyhounds had faced for the third year in a row in the Regional championship, the Greyhounds offense had continued their stagnant offensive play.
But that's when Senior Quarterback Adam Shaffer, who had the daunting task of replacing last year's Mr. Football Morgan Newton, stepped up on third and 19 and connected with John Schmidt on a 39 yard touchdown pass that ultimately ended up being the difference in the game.
"Adam's been phenomenal this year for us," said Moriarity. "Coming in and replacing 'Mr. Football' and the 'Gatorade Football Player Of The Year' in Morgan Newton, those are big shoes to fill. Adam has come in with the right attitude. He knows he's not Morgan Newton, but Adam's been spectacular for us. I think he's completed 70% of his passes and he runs the ball well."
"He's been really, really good for us, and he's a big reason why we're still alive right now in the tournament."
The Greyhounds are going to need that type of play from their quarterback Shaffer on Friday night when they travel to Merriville in their attempt to win a fourth straight Semi-State championship.
The Pirates, who have also won twelve straight since dropping their season opener 49-16 to Warren Central, squeaked by an 11-1 Mishawaka Cavemen 28-27 in a game that was too close for comfort.
Up 28-21 with only 1:35 left in the fourth quarter, Merriville's looked as if they were to squander their lead when Mishawaka's Cortez Lee rushed in a short touchdown to put Mishawaka down 28-27.
But instead of going for the extra point, Mishawaka's second year Head Coach Bart Curtis decided to go for the victory with the two-point conversion, and the Pirates stuffed the run attempt for the victory.
It's this Merriville defense, a squad that has allowed only 15 points per game on the season, that Moriarity believes will be Carmel's biggest obstacle in the way of their fourth straight state finals appearance.
"Defensively they are stout," said Moriarity. "They are big, physical, quick, and athletic. That is the strength of their team, their defense."
Which is why just like all of Carmel's previous victories in the IHSAA tournament, Moriarity and the Greyhounds expect a very close game on Friday night.
"That's what we've seen. Basically, there's been a lot of close football games. I expect this one to be another challenge, and our kids are going to come out and play hard."
