Coming off of last week’s season changing win at Danville John Darrah’s Red Tornadoes returned to the Silver Bowl to host winless Milton on Senior Night. Many would look at this scenario and would call it a classic trap game, but Mount Carmel Area dispelled any notion of that early and often in a 48-0 win over the Black Panthers. “We just wanted to go out and play our best game,” Darrah said. “After getting last week’s win, the guys know what they are capable of and they showed that tonight. I’m proud of the way they executed.”
The Red Tornadoes execution that Darrah spoke of was near perfection and the offense put on a clinic and racked up 401 yards on the ground. Junior wingback CJ Reichard got the scoring started for Mount Carmel Area on a 33 yard touchdown run on the Red Tornadoes’ first possession. Senior kicker Rosolino Mangiapane would add the PAT and the Big Red would lead 7-0 early. The offensive line would continue to open up gaping holes in the Black Panthers defense throughout the quarter, a period that was simply dominated by the Red Tornadoes up front. “The line has really gotten physical and it is showing,” said Darrah. “They did a great job tonight.” Anchored by sophomore Center Billy Anderson, the line includes juniors Harrison Rees and Collin Krakowski at the guards, and junior Brendan Boris and freshman Colln Herb at the tackles. Those five must have also known it was senior night, because they paved the way on the next three scoring drives for senior Red Tornado running backs.
It was senior wingback Lane Tanney who would score the first, running through a red sea of open lanes, on a 61 yard run, a play which allowed the “Night Train” to showcase his speed all the way to the end zone. “I knew I had a one-on-one race to the end zone with their safety and I wasn’t stopping until I got there,” said Tanney. Mangiapane would add the PAT and the Red Tornadoes would lead 14-0.
Perhaps the most interesting story line of this senior night game was the play of running back Zach Zarkowski, who would score the Red Tornadoes’ next two touchdowns. Zarkowski missed the Red Tornadoes opening game against Loyalsock because of having to finish his basic training commitment with the United States Army and returned to establish himself as an exceptional blocker in the Big Red’s shotgun single wing offense. Against Milton, the senior soldier and running back, was able to slice through the Black Panther defense on back-to-back scoring runs. The first, a 9 yarder, came with 3:43 left in the first quarter, while the second, a 7 yarder, happened with 42 seconds left in the period. Mangiapane would add PAT’s after both and the Red Tornadoes would lead 28-0 , which is where the score would stand at the end of one.
Following a CJ Reichard interception in the second quarter, Mount Carmel Area would capitalize with a vertical scoring strike. Sophomore quarterback John Ayres would connect with freshman tight end Jack Chapman on 14 yard touchdown pass. After being unleashed at Danville last week, Chapman has developed into a nice option for the Red Tornadoes on offense. “I’m glad Chappy got his first varsity touchdown tonight,” said Ayres. “He is a hard working kid who is doing so well.” An excited Chapman added, “It felt great to score. I couldn’t of have done it without my teammates.” Mangiapane would again add the PAT and MCA led 35-0 with 1:58 left in the first half, which is where the score would remain as the teams would break for halftime.
Mangiapane would kick off to start the second half, but the Red Tornadoes would not have to wait too long to continue their scoring. On the return, the ball was stripped by Jack Chapman and picked up by sophomore Michael Hood, who rumbled 23 yards to the end zone for the touchdown. Mangiapane would remain perfect on his PAT’s, connecting on his 6th of the night, and MCA would lead 42-0.
Throughout the second half, the Red Tornadoes defense continued to dig in and played lights out football to preserve the shutout. Tackle leaders were sophomore defensive back Avery Demko and linebackers junior Manus McCracken and sophomore Johnny Ayres, who has been coming into his own at the position. “I always played linebacker since I was younger,” said Ayres. “I just love the position and am going to play it to the best of my ability, but I couldn’t be doing it without the help of Manus.”
The “Red Death” defense continually stuffed the Black Panthers running backs all evening, many times behind the line of scrimmage. In fact, both senior nose guard Wes Shurock and sophomore defensive linemen Chris Ehmann each had a sack and three tackles for losses, while defensive ends freshman Logan Wills and sophomore Jared Stewart each had two tackles for losses. Overall, it was the Red Tornadoes strongest defensive performance of the season for coordinator Pete Cheddar. The shutout was also aided by sacks from defensive linemen junior Harrison Rees and freshman Collin Herb, along with a second interception by junior cornerback Tommy McDonald.
To close out the scoring, sophomore running back Tanner Karycki, who showed his shiftiness and speed throughout the second half, punched in a 1 yard touchdown run. The PAT on this last Touchdown was an unsuccessful try by jack-of-all-trades freshman Logan Wills, who undoubtedly was given a try at kicking by Darrah to develop depth at the position. The Red Tornadoes would lead 48-0, which would be the final score. Next week, both teams will continue Heartland Conference action. Milton hosts Montoursville, while Mount Carmel Area will play at Lewisburg with their game being held at Amos Alonzo Stagg Field at Susquehanna University.
MCA: 28-7-13-0 = 48
MILTON: 0-0-0-0 = 0
MOUNT CARMEL (3-4)
RUSHING:
John Ayres 5-36; Lane Tanney 7-143 TD; Zach Zarkowski 7-63 2 TDS; CJ Reichard 4-57; Manus McCracken 1-1; Tanner Karycki 10-72 TD; Mike Anzulavich 3-12; Tommy Reissinger 3-9; Shane Weidner 2-11; Nick Troutman 2-2; Bruce Carl 2-6; Zach Rowe 1 (-1).
PASSING:
John Ayres 4-6-0, 64 yds TD
RECEIVING:
Lane Tanney 1-9; Shurock 1-30; Jack Chapman 2-25 TD
Mount Carmel Area Stats complied by Jose Gonzalo
MILTON (0-7)
RUSHING:
Eric Wilt 7-6; Jalil Garrison 4-4; Mason Whitmyer 4 (-1); Qamar Bradley 1 (-1); Phillip Davis 3 (-12),
PASSING:
Phillip Davis 9-27-2, 153 yards
RECEIVING:
Xavi Rodriguez 6-102; Jalil Garrison 2-43; Eric Wilt 1-8
