Oct 11, 2013 By Adam Brewer for The 4 min read

CARMICHAELS — After Carmichaels have torched opposing defenses with its passing attack in 2013, the Mikes went old school on Senior Night and tallied over 250 rushing yards, en route to a 40-21 victory over Avella Friday night.

“We saw on film this week that our running game could be effective tonight,” Carmichaels coach Ryan Krull said. “We came out early and controlled the line of scrimmage. We played it a little safe in the second half, but our running game was able to chew out enough clock. Since day one of training camp, we have preached balance on offense and tonight our running game dictated the game.”

Senior tailback Brennen McMinn garnered a season-high in carries (28) and yards (138,) and went over 100 yards for the first time since Week 1 against Jefferson-Morgan.

“I give all the credit to the offensive line,” McMinn said. “They came out playing big and we won the war in the trenches. I think this is my first 100-yard game since the season opener, and this is a great win for us on Senior Night.”

The Mikes controlled the clock and the tempo throughout the contest, and got big plays from their defense and special teams in the second half.

Carmichaels (5-1, 6-1) went up 14-0 early on, via a five-yard run by McMinn and a 13-yard run by tailback Nate Baker, who rushed for 70 yards on 15 carries.

The Eagles (5-2, 4-1) trimmed the lead in half when quarterback Santino Paris threw a six-yard scoring toss to senior tight end Joey Yates.

In the second quarter, the Mikes added a pair one-yard keepers by senior quarterback Brandon Lawless to lead 26-7 at halftime.

On the last play of the third stanza, Avella trimmed the deficit to 26-14 after a 35-yard dash to the end zone by junior running back Nick Kusich.

Carmichaels quickly countered, as senior Tyler Aeschbacher killed any momentum that the Eagles had with a 94-yard kickoff return to the touchdown.

“The ball was close to be kicked out of bounds and Brennen actually told me to let it go,” Aeschbacher said. “I decided to pick it up and the return was a kick middle (play call). So I tried to get to the middle of the field to get to the blockers. I saw a wall and just used my speed to break through and get the touchdown.”

The Eagles made it 34-21 after a one-yard keeper by Paris with 8:16 left in the game. After the Mikes had to punt, Avella tried a wide receiver reverse pass, but the play was thwarted when junior defensive linemen Sam Penich recovered a fumble.

Five plays after the turnover, Aeschbacher continued his scoring onslaught in the Herald-Standard Touchdown Club race with a one-handed, off-balance 24-yard touchdown catch from Lawless to put the game out of reach.

“I told Brandon to look my way on that third-and-long play,” Aeschbacher said. “I could tell their defensive back was getting tired and I thought I could out-jump him for the ball. I was more concerned about my feet staying in-bounds than the catch.”

For the season, Aeschbacher now has 89 points and leads the local area in scoring through Week 7.

Both teams will be back in Tri-County South action next week, as Avella hosts Beth-Center and Carmichaels travels to Bentworth.

“Every week you have to improve as a team,” Krull said. “Our defense was solid, but we did give up some big plays and we can’t afford to take a play off. Obviously, that kickoff by Ty was huge and gave us the momentum. We have two more weeks left in the regular season, and we are excited to improve in those two games.”

 

Tri-County South Conference

Avella             7-0-7-7 — 21

Carmichaels 14-12-0-14 — 40

First Quarter

C: Brennen McMinn 5 run (run failed), 9:41 (0-6)

C: Nate Baker 13 run (McMinn pass from Brandon Lawless), 5:05 (0-14)

A: Joey Yates 6 pass from Santino Paris (Shawn Carl kick), 2:20 (7-14)

Second Quarter

C: Lawless 1 run (pass failed), 9:04 (7-20)

C: Lawless 1 run (run failed), 0:09 (7-26)

Third Quarter

A: Nick Kusich 35 run (Carl kick), 0:00 (14-26)

Fourth Quarter

C: Tyler Aeschbacher 94 kickoff return (McMinn rush), 11:43 (14-34)

A: Paris 1 run (Carl kick), 8:16 (21-34)

C: Aeschbacher 24 pass from Lawless (kick failed), 2:16 (21-40)