Carmel gets revenge on Center Grove, wins 33-32

It was a game befitting a live broadcast and a legendary call from someone like Al Michaels. Perhaps Michaels could have even trotted out his old line from the 1980 Olympic hockey finals: "Do you believe in miracles?" Because the frantic finish to hands-down the best football game of the early 2008 season was just that - miraculous. Class 5A No. 1 Carmel and No. 3 Center Grove played an epic MIC battle on Friday night and in almost an exact reversal of their historic game last season, the visiting Greyhounds walked away with the Copper Kettle, their No. 1 ranking and an early lead in perhaps the toughest football conference in the state. This thanks to a play that you find only scripted in Hollywood movies. On fourth and inches at the Center Grove 7-yard line (with just 46 seconds to play), Carmel quarterback Morgan Newton fumbled the ball and Center Grove looked like it recovered. But the ball squirts out, touches at least a half dozen players and ends up being scooped up by Carmel wide receiver Nick Logan, who ran it in for a touchdown. During the ensuing chaos, and as Center Grove head coach Eric Moore argued the call, Carmel made the decision to go for two - and for the win. And for revenge. Recall, if you will, the No. 1 Greyhounds falling on Aug. 31 last year to Center Grove. Recall that it was a 32-21 double overtime affair. Recall that the Trojans had elected to go for two on the road, got it, and ran off as the early season favorites in 5A. Just imagine what those Carmel players must have been telling coach Mo Moriarity during the timeout. Whatever it was, he must have listened, as Carmel went for two and got it via a pass from Newton to senior receiver Eric Ardaiolo, winning 33-32. So what now? Aside from the obvious elation and disappointment on the two sides, there's still a lot of football left to be played. As Moore told the Trojans after the game, "Let's be like Carmel last year," an obvious reference to how the Greyhounds rebounded from the shocked loss to Center Grove to go on and win the state title. Center Grove has much positive to build from. The Trojans dominate much of the first half - allowing just 54 yards of Carmel offense, including an early interception of Netwon, in the opening quarters. On the flip side, Center Grove had ran for 137 yards and two rushing touchdowns to build a 17-6 halftime lead. Now, the question is: will these two teams square off again on Thanksgiving weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium for the 5A crown?