2019 Team Previews: Mount Carmel Area Red Tornadoes (4)

Written by: David Mika on Monday, August 5th, 2019. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

Head Coach: John Darrah

Assistant Coaches: Bob Veach, Rob Varano, Matt Mankiewicz, Bill Joraskie, Jordan Marlow, Al Robbins, Eddy Stewart, Mark Minnig, Marshall Mirarchi, Brian Christiana

Team Name: Mount Carmel Area Red Tornadoes

2018 Record: 10-3

Twitter: @gobigred19

Hudl Highlights:

Key Starters Lost: John Ayres (RB/LB), Billy Anderson (OL/DL), MIke Hood (DE), Avery Demko (DB/WR), Tanner Karycki (RB/DB), Zach Artman (OL)

Offensive Starters Returning: (8) #13 Sr. QB Tom Reisinger, 6’4″, 215lbs., #44 Sr. TE Jack Chapman, 6’3″, 215lbs, #4 Sr. TE Logan Wills, 6’1″, 210lbs, #54 Sr OL Mike Makowski, 6’1, 235, #72 Sr OL, Collin Herb, 5’11”, 265lbs, #67 Sr. OL Brad Shurock, 6’1″, 240lbs., #28 Sr. RB Shane Weidner, 5’11” 170lbs., #29 Jr. FB Damon Dowkus, 5’11”, 195lbs.

Defensive Starters Returning: (6) #44 Sr. OLB Jack Chapman, 6’3″, 215lbs, #4 Sr. DE Logan Wills, 6’1″, 210lbs, #72 Sr DL, Collin Herb, 5’11”, 265lbs, #28 Sr. FS Shane Weidner, 5’11” 170lbs., #26 Sr OLB Nick Troutman, 6′, 200lbs. #10 Sr. SS Noah Berkoski, 5’9″ 165 lbs.

Special Team Starters Returning: (3) #44 Sr. K/P Jack Chapman, 6’3″, 215lbs, #24 So. PK, Julien Stellar, 5’11”, 180lbs, #29 Jr. LS, Damon Dowkus, 5’11”, 195lbs.

Key Newcomers: (4) #34 Sr RB/LB Joey Bendas, 5’8″, 150lbs, #19 Sr. WR/DB Dylan Pupo, 5’11”, 170lbs, #9 Jr. DB/RB Tyler Owens, 5’10, 165lbs, #21 FB/LB Reed Witkoski, 5’10”, 190lbs

Key Stats: The Red Tornado offense was explosive in 2018 averaging 395 yards per game. Their success was largely based on a strong running attack led by Senior RB John Ayres (1356 yds rushing, 8.7ypc, 16 TD’s) & Jr. RB Shane Weidner (930 yds rushing, 7.6ypc, 15TD’s) & an offensive line anchored by Sr. All-State OT Billy Anderson. Junior QB Tom Reisinger threw for 1466 yards & 17 TD’s with his top target being Jr. TE Jack Chapman, who earned all-state honors. (30 rec for 612 yards, 6 TD’s).

On defense the Red Tornadoes surrendered 14.8 points per game & were led by Sr. All-State DE Michael Hood who finished the year with an area best 17 sacks & 32 TFL. The top 2-tacklers, Junior OLB Nick Troutman (96) & OLB Jack Chapman (95) both return in 2019.

2019 Offensive Outlook: The Red Tornadoes return 8 starters offensively in 2019. There are a bevy of skill players returning & several younger players waiting in the wings for their chance to contribute. Balance & finding replacements for two 4-year starters in John Ayres & Billy Anderson will be key to MCA’s success offensively.

2019 Defensive Outlook: The “Red Death” defense also returns 8 players who started at least 1 game last season. Several young players saw plenty of action last year & now will need to be counted on full time for the MCA defense to continue to improve in 2019.

2019 Special Teams Outlook: The Red Tornadoes return Jack Chapman who handled kick off duties & saw time at punter last season along with Sophomore place kicker Julien Stellar, Junior long-snapper Damon Dowkus, & Junior holder Tyler Owens.