Mikes rally past West Greene, 36-30
West Greene quarterback Zachary Pettit (10) eyes receiver Andrew Litton (81) as Carmichaels鈥� Charles Lowry applies pressure during Friday's Tri-County South Conference game in Rogersville.
Carmichaels鈥� Dylan Wilson (27) intercepts a pass intended for West Greene鈥檚 Isaac Courtwright (5) during Friday鈥檚 Tri-County South Conference game in Rogersville.
Dave Stofcheck
Carmichaels鈥� Nick Mundell (10) stretches the ball trying to pick up a first down as West Greene鈥檚 Zachary Pettit (10) and Patrick Brady (80) make the tackle during Friday鈥檚 Tri-County South Conference game in Rogersville.
West Greene鈥檚 Zachary Pettit (10) tries to elude Carmichaels鈥� Brennen Pelzer (34) and Jacob Turner (78) during their Sept. 15 game in Rogersville. The Mikes and Pioneers open play in the WPIAL football playoffs tonight.
ROGERSVILLE 鈥� Carmichaels scored three touchdowns in the final 13 minutes to rally past West Greene, 36-30, in a key Tri-County South Conference battle Friday night.
The game鈥檚 outcome was overshadowed by an injury to West Greene senior Zachary Pettit.
Pettit was believed to be injured after taking a hit to the back of his neck during a scoring drive that gave West Greene a 30-16 lead with 5:51 remaining in the third quarter.
Pettit scored his third touchdown and followed that with a two-point conversion pass to Benjamin Jackson to give the hosts a two-score advantage.
But Pettit did not return to the game. He sat on the bench in an upright position for several minutes, before being placed on a stretcher with his neck immobilized. He was then transported by ambulance to a local hospital.
Without Pettit, West Greene鈥檚 offense wasn鈥檛 the same.
鈥淗e鈥檚 our leader, him and Ben (Jackson),鈥� West Greene鈥檚 Rod Huffman said. 鈥淲ithout him, we鈥檙e a different team, and it showed.鈥�
Carmichaels showed a bit of resolve itself, coming back from 14-point deficits three times.
Nick Mundell rushed for three touchdowns, the last being the game winner with 3:54 remaining.
鈥淭hey (West Greene) matched our physicality tonight,鈥� Carmichaels coach Ryan Krull said. 鈥淚 give credit to Coach Huffman. Those guys came ready to play.
鈥淏ut we made some plays in the second half. I felt our energy for the first time all year.鈥�
Before being injured, Pettit rushed for 88 yards on 16 carries, and threw for another 92 yards. His first of three scoring runs gave West Greene a 6-0 lead, and Andrew Litton鈥檚 one-yard touchdown and Jackson鈥檚 subsequent two-point run made it 14-0.
Carmichaels sophomore quarterback Kevin Kelly cut the deficit in half with a 7-yard scoring run, but Pettit answered with his second touchdown four minutes into the second quarter.
The short touchdown run was set up by a 61-yard pass-and-catch play from Pettit to Connor Main.
The Mikes pulled to within 30-22 early in the second half on Mundell鈥檚 first scoring run. Carmichaels defense forced West Greene into a three-and-out to start the third quarter, and Lowry blocked the ensuing punt and recovered the loose ball at the Pioneers鈥� 3-yard-line.
Mundell鈥檚 second touchdown run came from five yards out, and it pulled the visitors to within 30-22 with 1:18 left in the third quarter.
Carmichaels defense forced another punt, and Kelly tossed a 67-yard scoring pass to Garrett Ponick two plays later. Mundell鈥檚 two-point conversion run tied the game at 30.
Once it tied the game, Carmichaels attempted just one more pass.
鈥淥nce we got caught up, we were just trying to possess the football,鈥� Krull said.
Carmichaels (2-1, 2-0) hosts Avella next week, while West Greene (3-1, 2-1) travels to Jefferson-Morgan.
Tri-County South Conference
Carmichaels 聽 0-8-14-14 鈥� 36
West Greene 14-8-8-0 鈥� 30
First Quarter
WG: Zachary Pettit 3 run (kick failed), 8:18
WG: Andrew Litton 1 run (Benjamin Jackson run), 2:53
Second Quarter
CAR: Kevin Kelly 7 run (Charles Lowry run), 9:02
WG: Pettit 3 run (Pettit pass to Litton), 7:59
Third Quarter
CAR: Nick Mundell 3 run (Mundell run), 10:17
WG: Pettit 4 run (Pettit pass to Jackson), 5:51
CAR: Mundell 5 run (run failed), 1:18
Fourth Quarter
CAR: Kelly 67 pass to Garrett Ponick (Mundell run), 11:28
CAR: Mundell 5 run (run failed), 3:54