by Chris Asbrock

The Carmel (IN) Greyhounds made their debut in the Crosstown Showdown and were handed a matchup against the defending Division 2 State Champions, the LaSalle Lancers. The Lancers come into the 2015 season returning nine starters from last seasons team, including Cincinnati commit, running back Jeremy Larkin.

Things got quickly out of hand for the Greyhounds as they got a first down on the first play of the game but then were forced to punt after they failed to get another first down. LaSalle Junior, Jarrel White took the ensuing punt to the house with an 85-yard return for a touchdown. The first quarter was dominated by LaSalle as Carmel had no answer for the Lancer offense. Larkin punched one in from one yard out to make it 14-0. The first quarter ended that with LaSalle dominating the game.

LaSalle would continue to take it to Carmel in the second quarter as they added another 13 points on two Nick Veite field goals and a 26-yard run by Christian Turner. All was not lost for Carmel as they were able to get on the board, on a 26 yard touchdown pass by Michael Viktrup to Ethan Merriweather with nine seconds left in the half. The Lancers lead 27-7 at the end of the first half.

LaSalle received the opening kick of the second half and drove down the field. Lancer running back Christian Turner had a crucial fumble which Carmel returned 84 yards to the 1-yard line. Tobias Watkins punched it in on the next play making it 27-14. Both defenses stood strong as they kept each other off the scoreboard.

Viktrup changed that as he scampered for a 23-yard touchdown, to make it 27-21 in favor of LaSalle. The Lancers tacked on to their lead when Jarrel White punched it in from two yards out. Larkin converted the two point conversion on a direct snap to make it 35-21 with just over five minutes left. Carmel would make it interesting at the end after Viktrup scored again from seven yards out. It was to no avail as the Lancers recovered the ensuing onside kick and took a knee to end it.

The 35-28 victory for LaSalle was a great way to start the season against one of the best Indiana has to offer. Things don’t get any easier for the Lancers as they take on the nationally ranked (No. 10 by USA Today) Colerain Cardinals.