Mount Carmel

Head coach: John Darrah

2023: 9-3

When Mount Carmel head coach John Darrah gathers his players for a meeting this season, a lot of familiar faces will look back at him.

Coming off a 9-3 season, the Red Tornadoes return a lot of firepower on both sides of the ball and enter the 2024 campaign with their always-high expectations in place. Darrah has enjoyed consistent success at Mount Carmel, compiling a 72-28 (.720) record, and the Red Tornadoes seem primed to add to that win total.

Mount Carmel has seven returning starters on offense and eight on defense. Several players who saw considerable time throughout last season in reserve roles are back to fill open starting jobs and to provide depth.

Leading the way for the Red Tornadoes on offense will be running back Luke Blessing, wide receiver Chase Balichik, tight end Al Bailey and linemen Noah Shimko, Logan Herb, Jagr Delaney and Seth Spears.

Among the newcomers, Gavin Marshalek is slated to start at quarterback. Jaylen Delaney, Tait Adams, Andrew Lukoskie and Jon Morgante are competing for time at wide receiver, with Cooper Karycki vying for carries at running back. Gavyn Demko and Jerry Sheganoski provide depth on the offensive line.

Defensively, Mount Carmel returns starters at all three levels: Max Karycki and Shimko on the defensive line; Ben Miller and Matthew Balichik at linebacker; and Jaylen Delaney, Lukoskie, Chase Balichik and Michael Kismal in the secondary. Chase Balichik is the strong safety; Kismal starts at free safety.

Newcomers looking to earn starting jobs include linemen Jabari Kines, Herb, Jagr Delaney and Sheganoski; linebackers Bailey, Keegan Brown and Jason Klokis; and defensive backs Cooper Karycki, Morgante and Adams.

Bobby Schoppy will handle both placekicking and punting duties, with Max Karycki capable of punting as well. Return men include Cooper Karycki, Jaylen Delaney and Kismal.

One major change this season is that the Red Tornadoes will not have to go through perennial PIAA power Southern Columbia to reach their goal of winning the District 4 championship and advancing to the state playoffs. While Southern will remain Class AA, Mount Carmel will bump up to Class 3A.