By Skylar Blackburn
Contributing Writer
INDIANAPOLIS – A day full of high-flying footballs at the Pike 7 on 7 “Let It Fly” Tournament ended with Indian Creek intercepting Carmel’s quarterback for three points and driving down the field for eight more June 13. After this turn of events, the Braves did not look back while the clock ran down on the day’s events as Indian Creek prevailed.
That may raise some eyebrows considering that Indian Creek went through a wicked final three opponents – defending Class 5A sectional finalist Lawrence Central, seven-time state champion Ben Davis, and finally six-time state champ Carmel – en route to the title. But ninth-year coach Mike Gillin’s now-3A Braves (up from 2A) took on the competition and made the plays to win.
Let’s take a two-months-out look at the Top 10 teams of the competition, starting with the champs and working our way down to No. 10 …
1. Indian Creek
The main thing that Indian Creek wanted to keep going from last year was to keep now-junior quarterback Trey Reese playing strong. Um, yeah, that worked out OK as Reese, who was eighth in the state in passing yards per game a year ago, had one of the best days of any QBs in leading Indian Creek to the 7 on 7 championship.
• The Braves lost both the state’s all-time leader in career receptions, Zac Tharpe, and the state’s fourth-best receiving yards leader in Brandon Collins, yet they found new options to throw to.
• Jacob Jackson was Reese’s main target throughout the day. He has great hands, speed, and size, which makes him a dangerous long-ball threat. He should be expecting some good offers from colleges about this time next year.
2. Carmel
There are a lot of question marks with a lot of different answers in Greyhound country coming off that collapse in the 5A state championship game to Center Grove. Carmel has lost QB Morgan Newton and running back Kurt Freytag in the backfield, along with safeties Joe Rippe and Scott Dehnke.
• Scott Stilson gained the opening advantage at starting QB after Newton’s departure, with counterpart Adam Shafer leading the way at safety. Shafer’s length in the defensive backfield seems essential for the Carmel defense to succeed this fall against that ferocious Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference schedule.
• “It looks to be a pretty even battle between Shafer and I (for QB),” said Stilson.
• “Right now, they are battling it out, and they are both pretty even” said Carmel assistant coach Jed Richmond.
• Billy Davis, Carmel’s second-year tight end, will be complemented on the other side by a new lengthy receiver, Herman, which will help them spread the field. Having those two will open up the running game, with weightlifting 1,000-pound clubber Jesse Hollander and his lightning counterpart, Devon Brenson, in the backfield.
3. Pike
Ever since the end of last season, the main question for most Red Devil faithful was who was going to be throwing the ball for them? The Answer: Grant Kickoff.
• Kickoff – seriously, that’s his surname – is a great work in progress but shows accuracy and potential to get better throughout the season. The biggest problem he has at this juncture is reading the defense, which will probably get fixed with experience. It won’t be hard for him to shine if he can get it to his two amazing receivers, Dyjuan Lewis and Anthony McClung.
• Pike was able to make it to Saturday’s semifinals but was shut out by Carmel’s defense, which forced two interceptions. The Pike defense was tough as well in the semifinal matchup, allowing only an early touchdown.
• On a separate, but equally impressive, note, the Pike linemen won their own challenge. They outworked everyone else with a score of 22, while their closest competitor recorded a 15.
4. Ben Davis
After losing some key contributors from last season like Greg Rice and Jordan Stepp, the Giants will be looking to other parts of their athletic team for victory.
• The QB tossing the rock for the Giants does not have the typical height or length that Ben Davis fans are used to watching the past few years. The offensive firepower likely will be anchored in the legs of running back Phillip Dudley, who shows great athleticism, more than the passing game. Like most Giant squads, the running game fuels the rest.
• The BD defense is stout and loaded with playmakers – anyone wanting to throw against Ben Davis will have to do it sparingly and methodically as their sheer size will be a problem for most contenders. The defense is anchored by linebacker Isaiah Lewis.
• Do not be surprised if Ben Davis wins it all this year in 5A land.
5. Warren Central
Many in Warrior Nation are wondering if Derek Hart grew more efficient since last season. Both coach John Hart and his QB son were at another 7 on 7 tournament with some of the other Warriors, but I did get to watch an up-and-coming Clarence Hayes throw the ball around to some amazing Warren athletes. Hayes will be a good QB once he adds the touch pass to his repertoire.
6. Lawrence Central
Can you say DANGEROUS? This team, if focused, could be considered a heavy 5A contender. Their athletic wideouts plus QB Tre Roberson, who can run and throw, will make this a very high-powered offense come August. The only question now is do the Bears have the hogs up front?
• Roberson needs to work through his steps more throughout the summer, and that will help ease his trouble in reading defenses.
• The Bears have two twin outside linebackers in the Johnson brothers. These two may not be the tallest of LBs, but watch for both of them to deliver hits with power.
7. Noblesville
Coach Lance Scheib’s offensive schemes don’t really fall into the 7 on 7 category most of the time, but the Millers were able to take down an extremely talented Pike squad with a solid defensive effort right off the bat. Noblesville was able to make it to the third round, where they were defeated by a Carmel team that needed to make a comeback to win.
8. Hamilton Southeastern
Jordan Hoffman, the state’s 12th-rated passer last year, has graduated – who is going to step up for the Royals and lead them through the North? Realignment has brought the old rivalry of HSE vs. Carmel back to life by placing them in the same sectional. It has been a few years but come playoff time, look for fireworks from Sectional 4. Jake Jones may replace Hoffman at QB and is a more prototypical pocket passer, but the Royals also have a more scrambling type that is battling it out with Jones.
9. Perry Meridian
The Falcons went 3-1, with their only loss to Carmel. Their wide receivers have great speed, and their route running was some of the best I saw throughout the day. Their QBs appear to lack decision-making skills and seem young, but it is still early in the summer. The passing game will definitely be utilized come next season.
10. Yorktown
The Yorktown big men tied for first in the tire flip, while their 7 on 7 team battled into the second round of the tournament before falling to a stacked Ben Davis team.
There were plenty of great teams at this tournament. It was a tremendously fun, but competitive, environment. I would like to thank Pike coach Derek Moyers and his staff for working so hard to put on a great event – the Pike 7 on 7 “Let It Fly” Tournament and Linemen Challenge has become a must-see summer event for any Hoosier football fans.
Tune in next week when Hoosier Authority travels down to Center Grove’s Bantam Football Facilities for another 7 on 7 outing!
Results from the Pike 7 on 7 "Let It Fly" Tournament:
First round
Fort Wayne Luers def. Fort Wayne Wayne
Indianapolis Arlington def. Indianapolis Northwest
Wabash def. Eastern (Greentown)
Yorktown def. Indianapolis Broad Ripple
Second round
Perry Meridian def. Fort Wayne Luers
Pike def. Anderson Highland
Noblesville def. Indianapolis Arlington
Carmel def. Warren Central
Lawrence Central def. Wabash
Indian Creek def. Greenwood
Ben Davis def. Yorktown
Hamilton Heights def. Hamilton Southeastern
Quarterfinals
Pike def. Perry Meridian
Carmel def. Noblesville
Indian Creek def. Lawrence Central
Ben Davis def. Hamilton Heights
Semifinals
Carmel def. Pike
Indian Creek def. Ben Davis
Championship
Indian Creek def. Carmel