By: Andrew Browning <[email protected]>

The Hounds concluded the football season in stellar fashion, beating Pike 16-7 to capture Carmel’s first State Championship in the sport since 1989.

Brooks Michel, offensive lineman and junior, said the Hounds’ 35-13 loss in the State Finals to Warren Central a year ago helped keep them hungry and working to get back to the RCA Dome this season. He also said experience helped the Hounds because they knew about the tougher playing atmosphere in the Dome.

“(The experience) was pretty important because we knew about the dry heat. Playing in the Dome is different than other places,” Michel said. “Plus, we weren’t settling for another loss.”

Michel said that he believes the two years of State Finals experience the sophomores and juniors will bring to next year’s team will be invaluable. He also said that he doesn’t think the Hounds will have any problem staying motivated, even after this year’s State Championship.

“Next year we’re going to know we’re able to do it, expect the best and hope we can do it again,” Michel said. “I’m going to be a senior and I’d like to go out with a State Championship win as a senior, and I know it’s the same way with all my senior teammates.”

Two juniors who will likely be key leaders for next year’s offense, running back Kurt Freytag and quarterback Morgan Newton, have the advantage of that experience after appearing in consecutive State Finals.

Freytag split carries this year with senior Aaron King, and he will likely become the primary running back for the Hounds next season. Freytag finished the season with 960 yards on the ground and 12 total touchdowns. He also led the team with an average of 6.7 yards per carry.

“Kurt’s a big-time contributor to our offense and he played special teams as well,” Head Coach Mo Moriarity said. “He’s been able to step up and he’s been a very solid football player for us all year.”

Moriarity said Newton is an important part of the offense because when the Hounds are able to mix it up with a running and passing attack, it keeps opposing defenses guessing. This season Newton passed for 1,883 yards and 25 touchdowns, while throwing only seven interceptions. He also rushed for 760 yards and 11 touchdowns, and was named to the Class 5A Associated Press All-State team. Newton’s 25 passing touchdowns set a new school record, surpassing the mark set by Mark Herrmann ‘77, who went on to be selected as a first-team All-American at Purdue and play 11 in the NFL.

“Our goal every year will be to have a balance between run and pass. It’s harder to defend a team that’s balanced,” Moriarity said. “When you’re one-dimensional teams can load up to stop the run. Sometimes you run it more, but to have the ability to throw the ball is key and that will affect the game.”

Although the Hounds will have some talented starters back next season, the team will miss the strong senior leadership that Moriarity said played a crucial role in the State Finals run this season.

“You’re not going to have a very good season if you don’t have good senior leadership. That’s the single most important factor to have a good season ­- period,” Moriarity said. “For us to be where we are and have another run it had to start at the top.”