By Parker Myers
<[email protected]>

I’m resisting the urge to write completely about “the play.”

But that’s finished. Nothing we say will bring back the call, no amount of facebook groups will change the IHSAA’s mind. The call was the official’s discretion, and that’s that.

Even so, an asterisk feels appropriate here, something we’ve seen emerge too often in sports.

But all season long, we’ve seen the team fight through expectations to become an entirely different unit. Quarterback and senior Adam Shaffer has developed into a better passer than Morgan Newton, throwing for five touchdowns in the State Championship.

And the Hounds’ defense was the reason for the Hounds’ success this year, as it surrendered only 108 points up to the State game. It’s so interesting, then, to think of what the team will be like next year. The team that is constantly referred to as “after-Newton” is about to become that “after.”

That list of seniors is astonishing to look at. Next year, the team will be without its starting quarterback, top two receivers, top safety, two cornerbacks  and three of the best linebackers in the state.
If that doesn’t unnerve you, check your pulse. The senior class really blossomed under pressure this year. In the pre-season, junior Scott Stilson battled with Shaffer for the starting position. Although Shaffer won the starting position, Stilson proved that next year would be his team.

Carmel’s top two running backs, Devin Brinson and Jesse Hollander, will both return next season. The receivers will be hit hard, but all season long we’ve seen Brett Erwin and David “DJ” Fraser step up when needed. They will be fine.

The defense is what worries me. You can’t ignore losing the top lineman, almost all of your linebackers, and most of the secondary. Justin Todd, Shawn Heffern, and Matt Seward will all return to the team next season. We’ve seen Heffern and Seward make crucial interceptions all season long, and Todd has more tackles than all but five players on the team.

It will be interesting to see how Carmel develops. But don’t make the mistake of writing the Greyhounds off. Come next season, I think we’ll all be surprised again when the team returns better than expected.