By Anthony Mock
MaxPreps.com
With future Kentucky Wildcat Morgan Newton under center, No. 1-ranked Carmel runs one of the most prolific offenses in the state. The Greyhounds are averaging over 40 points per game this fall, and Newton is always at the center of attention.
But Carmel head coach Mo Moriarity is quick to point out the folly that comes from focusing too much on his passer.
“We’re good and very deep at every position,” Moriarity said. “We’re much more than just the Morgan Newton show.”
Running back Kurt Freytag does not mind the hype surrounding his signal caller. At 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, it is generally difficult for Freytag to simply blend into the background. It has happened to him and his teammates on various Friday nights, however, and each time the Greyhounds’ opponents pay the price.
“I kind of like being unchecked,” Freytag said. “I think we all do. We’ve probably got five (running) backs who could start for almost any team in the state. The same with our receivers and tight ends. It makes it very difficult for other teams to stop us because the guys around (Newton) and our back-ups are so good.”
It certainly has been difficult to stifle the Greyhounds, who haven’t been held under 30 points since the season opener against Indianapolis Cathedral. Freytag is a big reason for that, netting over six yards per carry against some the state’s elite.
A big, bruising runner, Freytag offers a completely different style of play for the Carmel rushing attack. Aside from just busting through linemen and linebackers, he has another trait that would endear him to any quarterback he plays with.
“I like running between the tackles,” Freytag said. “The contact is the best thing about running the ball. Truthfully, though, my favorite thing about being a running back is pass blocking. I love to see a (defensive) lineman get excited about getting past our (offensive) line until I go and knock him on his butt. It’s a great feeling.”
Freytag’s strong running style, his work ethic, and his willingness to do the little things that win football games earned him junior All-State and All-County honors last year.
Most importantly, it has earned him the trust of an offense looking for its second-straight state championship.
Freytag is mulling over offers from three Mid-American Conference schools. Two-time defending conference champion Central Michigan, resurgent Ball State and Eastern Michigan, which likes to feature big running back in its offense, have all come calling.
As potent as Carmel’s offense is right now, the Greyhounds do not believe that they have reached their potential.
In the Greyhounds’ first game, a 28-21 win against Cathedral, they lost three starters on offense. Since, two of those starters have returned. Once starting left tackle Brooks Michel is back in the lineup, Carmel’s many-headed rushing monster is going to get a big new shield.
Michel stands 6-7 tall and weighs 285 pounds. With a huge wing span and a mean streak to match, he is a force to be reckoned with. Michel’s love of football does not simply come from pounding on whatever defender happens to be lined up in front of him. Rather, it come from the desire to lead his teammates in total domination of the entire defense.
“I like to be the one to really control the game,” Michel said. “A lot of fans don’t realize how important the offensive line is, but the coaches, the running backs and the quarterbacks sure do. And I know that if we’re playing together and hitting all our assignments, there’s not much that opposing defenses can do against us.”
Between Freytag and Newton alone, the Greyhounds rush for more than 200 yards per game, a statistic that is sure to improve upon Michel’s return. He is quick to give praise to his teammates for the job that they have done in his absence.
“We’ve had a lot of injuries, but that’s just part of (the game) sometimes,” Michel said. “It shows the caliber of team we are and how good the coaching staff is when we can still get wins without some of our starters.”
Michel, another of Carmel’s junior All-State honorees, plans to be back for the big showdown at Class 5A No. 2 Warren Central on Oct. 3. It is a high ankle sprain that has forced him to the bench the past three weeks, a place he is very eager to leave behind.
After high school he will be attending the University of Minnesota, a team that has had a substantial amount of success in recruiting in the past couple years, most notably landing former Ben Davis quarterback MarQueis Gray last year.
“I really felt comfortable in Minnesota,” Michel said. “(Head coach Tim Brewster) is very optimistic about the upcoming years, and so am I.”