Oct 11, 2009 3 min read

COAL CENTER – Chalk one up for Greene County. In one of the biggest upsets of the week, Carmichaels dealt Tri-County South opponent California its first loss in conference play, 44-26. The loss was not only the first in conference play for the Trojans, but perhaps the biggest loss was that of D.J. Martinak, who was injured with 13 seconds left in the first half and spent the final 24 minutes of game time on crutches.

“It’s an ankle injury,” said California coach Brady Barbaro. “It was swelling and we don’t know how long he’ll be out.”

Martinak recorded 76 rushing and 65 passing yards with twin touchdown runs, and with him out, the Trojans recorded only 68 yards.

For the Mikes, (2-2, 2-4) the win gives them hope, if ever slim, of a playoff appearance.

“I told the guys if we lose tonight our season is over,” said Carmichaels coach Jon Menhart. “This game was about the seniors and we played for them. We got the win and now we can look ahead.”

The Mikes recorded 256 rushing yards and 105 passing yards with Anthonie Farrar racking up 178 yards and four touchdowns.

“He’s a work horse for us,” said Menhart.

The Trojans’ defense simply couldn’t stop the Mikes in the first half, surrendering 175 yards on the ground and 105 in the air.

“We weren’t surprised,” said Barbaro. “We knew they had a strong front seven and we just couldn’t stop them.”

California looked like the team that had cruised to an undefeated start in the section as Martinak had marched the Trojans down the field on a 68 yard, six-play drive that was capped off with a quarterback keeper to put the home team ahead 7-0.

However, things fell apart quickly for the Trojans, beginning with a Farrar 61-yard touchdown sprint down the Trojan sideline to cut the lead to 7-6.

Jon Krall would connect with his brother Seth on 8 and 10-yard touchdown passes on consecutive drives to give the Mikes a 20-7 lead with 11:08 in the second quarter.

After a Trojans’ fumble, the Mikes got on the board again with a three-yard touchdown run and added one more just before the half with a Farrar three-yard plunge to increase their lead to 32-7.

Martinak’s last offensive play of the game gave the Trojans their final score with a 3-yard run to cut the Mikes’ lead to 32-13.

Farrar tacked on another score for the Mikes with a 1-yard plunge at the 7:17 mark of the third quarter to increase the lead to 38-13.

However, the Trojans’ Dakota Conway would give the home team something to cheer about with a 88-yard kick return after the Mikes’ score and a 21-yard touchdown reception from younger brother T.D. Dakota with 29 seconds left in the second half.

Farrar tacked on his fourth touchdown with 1:15 left in the game.