Mount Carmel cruises past Central Columbia 43-16, earns 900th win

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Davin Ridall | August 31, 2024

MOUNT CARMEL – Coming into Friday night, Mount Carmel’s football program win total sat at 899, and the Blue Jays went into the Silver Bowl hoping to keep it that way. In the first half of the game Central Columbia kept it close, only trailing by two scores heading into halftime, and remained within striking distance through three quarters. However, an offensive outburst in the fourth quarter propelled the Red Tornadoes to a 43-16 victory, their 900th win in their school’s history.

After the Blue Jays went 3 and out on their first possession, Mount Carmel wasted no time on offense, as they marched 83 yards to the end zone in under two minutes, with a 36 yard touchdown pass to take an early 7-0 lead. The Blue Jays answered right back however with a 71 yard touchdown drive of their own which was capped off with a 10 yard touchdown pass to Dylan Shultz, tying the game at 7 a piece. Two minutes later, the tie was broken, as a 54 yard drive ended with a 17 yard touchdown run by Cooper Karycki, putting Mount Carmel back in front 14-7.

Toward the end of the first quarter, the game turned into a defensive battle. After forcing a Blue Jays punt, Mount Carmel took over at their own 45, however on the first play of the drive, quarterback Gavin Marshalek mishandled the snap, leading to a fumble recovery by Blue Jays defensive lineman Cordell Heggenstaller. Central Columbia’s offense made their way down to the 37 yard line where they converted on a 4th and 5, however four plays later their drive stalled as they failed to convert on a 4th and 3, turning it over on downs.

Mount Carmel took over on offense at their own 24 and drove all the way down to the Blue Jays’ 29 yard line, where they failed to convert on a 4th and 6, giving Central Columbia possession once again. After the Blue Jays went 3 and out, Mount Carmel took a punt return 80 yards to the end zone, however it was called back due to a block in the back penalty. Mount Carmel’s offense didnt lose a step though as they drove 48 yards to end the scoring drought with a two yard touchdown run by Al Bailey, followed by a two point conversion, making the score 22-7 going into the halftime break.

Mount Carmel began the second half with possession, however an interception by Dylan Shultz put Central Columbia just 6 yards away from the end zone, but Mount Carmel’s defense stood strong, holding them to a field goal making the score 22-10 with 9:49 left in the third. Both teams’ offenses stalled for the remainder of the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter Mount Carmel began to pull away, beginning with an 84 yard drive capped off with a 38 yard touchdown run by Cooper Karycki, who had 79 total yards on the scoring drive. Mount Carmel’s defense then forced the Blue Jays to punt on their next drive, only to have their returner Michael Kismal take the punt 87 yards to the end zone, increasing their lead to 36-10 with just over 7 minutes left to play. Central Columbia attempted to claw back into the game with a 62 yard touchdown run by Ty Regan, followed up by a perfectly executed onside kick. However the Blue Jays drive would stall, keeping the score at 36-16. Finally with just 56 seconds left, the Red Tornadoes sealed the deal with a 1 yard touchdown run by Aiden Deitz to secure a 43-16 win, and tallying their 900th win in their schools’ history.

Mount Carmel’s (2-0) next matchup will be a road game against Mifflinburg (0-2), while Central Columbia’s (1-1) next game is a home game against Executive Education Academy (1-1), which will take place at Blue Jay Stadium on Friday, September 6th at 7:00 PM

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