The annual Mudsock Game between two 6A Hamilton County powers draws a huge crowd every year.  Friday night will be not be different when Fishers takes on Hamilton Southeastern.  It’s a stage Fishers running back Carson Dunn takes seriously.

“It’s a dream come true,” Dunn says,  “I’ve been preparing for this game my entire career.  Great atmosphere, great traditions, great athletes.  My goal is to leave it all on the field for my team, bring home the W and leave my mark on this rivalry game.”

The game will take on special significance as both teams are 3-0 and coming off strong wins.  The Royals have a white-hot offense, putting up over 35 points in each of their first three victories over Lawrence Central, North Central and Avon, and outscoring their opponents 120-33.  The Tigers beat a tough Noblesville team last week, holding the Millers’ offense to just 13 points.

“We don’t see Fishers’ defense as a defense with a singular star player to key in on,” said Hamilton Southeastern offensive lineman Jack Greer.  “We see them as a well-rounded, fast, and disciplined defense who can make trouble when the offense makes mistakes. Their defense is formidable with their percentages and amounts of blitzes we have been studying in film.”

“Our coaching staff pushes us like no other I’ve seen across my four years of football at HSE,” Greer added.  “We are taught games are won far before Friday, with a large part of it being mental. It comes from play study, confidence, nastiness, and the will to perform and do your job.”

Defensively for the Tigers, keep an eye on defense lineman Brady Wolf and Grant Shelton.  So far, Dunn has 70 carries for 259 yards and two touchdowns.

“He is the most polarizing player they have,” HSE defensive back Cole Earlwine said of Dunn. “He is about 90 parent of their offense and creates the most plays for their team. He also was the biggest reason they beat us in the sectional last year.”

“As a defensive player I believe the best player that Fishers has is their running back, Carson Dunn, but they have many weapons on offense that we have to be ready for,” Jackson Constantine said.  

Those weapons include Jeffrey Simmons, a 6’6 203 wide receiver/tight end with nine offers.  Simmons has committed to Miami-Ohio.  Some young playmakers include wide receiver Joe Syrus and Luke Valerio.  

Greer said he looks forward to the annual rivalry every year, especially while knowing players on both teams personally.

“No game I have played this far can recreate the feelings I get before lining up on the field across from Fishers,” Greer said.  “With this being my last year I’m extremely thankful to be able to play in this rivalry game in front of a great community in Fishers. I’m sure I’ll remember this game for decades down the line.”

“Being a part of this rivalry means a lot to me,” Jackson Constantine said.  “This is one of the biggest games of the year and after going to the games all my life it doesn’t feel real to be playing in the game. Having 10,000 fans in the stands is a feeling unlike any other.”

“It’s one of the most incredible things I’ve ever been apart of,” Earlwine said.  “Having that many people at one game is amazing. The atmosphere is something that you can not explain unless you have been there. But what I think separates this rivalry from the rest is that all the guys on the other side were once your teammates. You grew up playing these guys and are still friends with plenty of them. So I think that’s what makes it so special, because your playing against your friends in front of thousands.”