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Conference foes make toughest tournament teams

By Andrew Browning
<abrowning@hilite.org>

Since 1999, the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference (MIC) has boasted finalists in the 5A State Championship football game eight of nine times. Since 1985, the championship game has featured current MIC schools in 18 of those 23 contests.

And for players and coaches, the high level of play featured in the MIC certainly prepares them for tournament play.

“(Playing in the MIC) really helps us get prepared physically because there isn’t a tougher conference than the MIC in the state of Indiana,” cornerback and senior Tyler Cates said.

Currently, five of the 16 remaining teams in the Sectional tournament are from the MIC. But what makes Carmel’s possible return to the State Championship game unique is that it would not face any MIC rivals until the final. Cates said there are pros and cons to not facing a MIC foe until the State championship.

“There’s a little bit of both (advantages and disadvantages) when you’re playing teams who aren’t in the MIC,” Cates said. “You’re able to get away with mistakes you can’t get away with against teams in MIC.”

Since 1985, Carmel has won the State Championship three times — in 1986, 1989 and last year — and lost in the final once, in 2006.

If the team wins tonight, it is scheduled to play the winner of the Fort Wayne Snider v. Fort Wayne South Side game for the Regional championship on Nov. 14. The Semistate and State games are scheduled for Nov. 21 and Nov. 29. With additional reporting by Faith Mwalwa.

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