The old timers always used to always say, “It’s hard to beat a boy twice!” Well playas…the defending Class 6A state champs found out the reality of that statement on Friday night. After drilling Ben Davis 31-9 a little over a month at the crib they unfortunately had to roll over to the west side for the regional championship game. Unfortunately for them, BD was on a four game winning streak and hadn’t loss a game since Carmel put that thang on them on October 2.
Whatever Coach Jason Simmons said to them on the Carmel field after that terrible loss has worked because they are a completely different team right now.
When the smoke cleared the Giants were walking out of the joint with a 27-21 victory to advance to the semi-state round. It was a classic to say the least!!! Michael Jackson would have been proud to re-do his 1983 groundbreaking video to this one because it was a straight up THRILLER!!!
Carmel came into the game with the swag of a defending state champ and glided in like a Spike Lee Joint. On the opening kick off Baron Smith took it 95-yards to the house and ran through big momma’s flowers in the process. Within in seconds they had drawn blood and it looked like October 2 all over again.
However, Ben Davis’ junior quarterback sensation J’uan Swanson, who was benched the last time these two teams met, “showed up and showed out” like my momma used to say. Not playing the last time these two teams met was the best thing that could’ve ever happen to him. He’s playing with a sense of urgency now that’s unmatched. Great job Coach Simmons. I’m going to start calling him the zen master or lil’ Phil Jackson.
Swanson scored on the following BD possession to knot it up 7-7. However, before I could bite into my hot dog and drink my Coke Swanson had thrown two more touchdowns, one to Dillan Moore and the other to Devon Wiley. It was NUTS!!!
The Giants had scored 21 unanswered points before the Greyhounds could get the car started again. It was like they fell asleep at the wheel in the middle of Haughville after eating too many Long’s donuts. Ben Davis was up 21-7 at the break.
Carmel came out of the ride like some G’s in the first 13 seconds but Ben Davis’ defense was swarming the rest of the half led by the homie Aneill Boatright. He’s a stud that’s always around the football!! His name it called more than anybody on the field. Boatright, Boatright, Boatright….does this kid ever take a play off. NOPE!!!!
However, Nanna and Big Momma both must have gone into the Carmel locker room at the break and cursed them up one wall and down the other because they hit the field in the second half wide awake and looking for answers as to who took their pride. They wanted it back ASAP.
After a BD opening possession that resulted in an Angel Torres field goal that put the Giants up 24-7. The GROWN man, Zach White, started bullying boys running all over the place as Carmel scored 14 quick points to get to within three-points. It was 24-21 at the blink of an eye. It looked as though BD was about to let it slip away.
However, the Giants front 7 came to play and shut it down giving the Carmel offense no room to maneuver.
Torres was able to kick another field goal to make it 27-21 to give the Giants breathing room as the defense ushered them home.
Swanson finished the night going 15-of-25 for 201 yards and two touchdowns in the air and 12 carries for 48 yards and another touchdown on the ground. Devon Wiley toted the rock like a straight up G with 12 carries for 103 yards. Rylen Richardson led the receiving corp with 4 catches for 63 yards. Dillan Moore came through with 3 catches for 51 yards.
The Giants take on No.1 Center Grove next week for a chance to get to the Class 6A title game! It should be a good one!!! Stop me when I start lyin’!
