Aug 22, 2018 4 min read

Last November, the PIAA announced its classification realignments for football.

Among the teams changing classifications was Carmichaels, which reported 132 males in grades nine through 11 – one too many to play in Class A – and will play in Class AA this season and next.

There are two ways to react to the news.

The first is to be disappointed. Moving up to Class AA ends, for now, a rivalry with Jefferson-Morgan. It also decreases the Mikes’ chances of making the playoffs, as, obviously, the Tri-County South Conference in Class A is not as difficult as the Interstate Conference in Class AA. The Mikes (6-1, 8-3) won their first playoff game last season – a 28-8 win over Western Beaver – since 2002.

The other reaction is to be excited, as the move to Class AA means the Mikes will play better competition. Carmichaels will be the smallest Class AA team in the state.

For head football coach Ryan Krull and his team, they’re choosing the latter option.

“I don’t understand being upset about it,” Krull said. “That doesn’t make any sense. Reality says this is our new conference. Bickering about it isn’t going to change anything. I would like to think that when things get more difficult that our guys will rise up.”

Despite the excitement to move up to Class AA, Krull is sad to see several Greene County rivalries go, especially with Jefferson-Morgan. The Mikes and the Rockets have played every season since 1925, excluding the 1974 season because of a teachers strike.

“Being in Greene County, there are some local rivalries that have gone on for a long time, especially between us and Jefferson,” Krull said. “For those all of a sudden to be gone is a little disappointing.”

While the biggest question mark for the Mikes is their new classification, that might be better than what’s been their biggest question mark for every year of Krull’s five-year tenure: a first-year quarterback.

Kevin Kelly will return as Carmichaels’ quarterback in his junior season. As a sophomore, and his first year under center, Kelly completed 33 of 71 passes for 588 yards, eight touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also ran for 223 yards and four touchdowns.

“He’s worked hard this offseason,” Krull said. “He’s put on some weight. He’s matured mentally and has developed physically.”

The Mikes graduated eight seniors from last season, all of whom saw significant playing time. The most notable departures are, running backs Nick Mundell, Brennen Pelzer, Jacob Lowry and Nathan Broadwater. Mundell averaged 7.3 yards per carry last season and led the Mikes with 1,231 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. In total, the Mikes are losing a total of 2,155 yards from scrimmage and 29 touchdowns from last season.

Carmichaels runs an offensive system built mostly off running plays from several running backs. Krull said that won’t change. Joey Minor, who ran for 518 yards on 80 carries and three touchdowns as a sophomore in 2016, will be one of the players leading the Mikes in the backfield. Minor had only 20 carries in a crowded backfield last season.

Krull expects Bailey Jones, Hunter Voithofer and Jonathan Lilley to see touches in the backfield as well.

“We don’t usually have one guy who touches the ball 30 times,” Krull said. “We usually have three or four guys who touch the ball between six and 20 times a game, so we’re looking to keep that consistent.”

While having a reliable offensive line is crucial for every offense, it’s especially important for the run-heavy Mikes, as many of their running plays are between the tackles. The Mikes lose almost their entire offensive line from last season, with only one returning lineman who saw playing time.

“The expectations for them are no different than any other offensive linemen we’ve had,” Krull said. “Other than the quarterback, there isn’t a unit that’s more critical to an offense’s success at putting points on the board than the offensive line.”

The Mikes start their season at Beth-Center in Week 1 after taking Week Zero off. The toughest game on Carmichaels’ schedule is a Week Six matchup at defending WPIAL Class AA champion and Interstate Conference foe Washington Oct. 5.