Local high‑school football star KC Shook, a junior at Carmichaels High School, was named the Herald‑Standard Athlete of the Week after delivering what may be the best three‑week rushing performance in school history. Shook’s explosive run helped the Mikes finish the regular season on a three‑game winning streak.
Record‑breaking games
Shook’s breakout began in Week Eight when he accounted for all of Carmichaels’ points in a 22‑14 win at West Greene, scoring touchdown runs of 9, 14 and 6 yards and converting two two‑point attempts. He logged 26 carries for 157 yards against the Kennedy Field Pioneers.
In Week Nine, Shook exploded for 337 yards on 24 carries, with touchdown runs of 6, 28 and 54 yards in a 33‑0 victory at Jefferson‑Morgan. The 337‑yard total eclipsed Bobby Hathaway’s former single‑game record of 333 yards.
He closed the season with 32 carries for 223 yards and two touchdowns (18‑ and 39‑yard runs) in a 40‑26 win over visiting Mapletown at Coaches Field. Over those three games, Shook amassed 82 carries, 717 yards and eight touchdowns, bringing his season total to 1,189 yards.
Team first, personal humility
At 17, Shook said the team’s success mattered more than his individual stats. “Winning is the most important thing,” he told reporters. “I’m glad I had those great games but what made them even better was they all came in wins.” He added that beating long‑time Greene County rivals made the achievements even sweeter, especially the dominant performance against Jefferson‑Morgan.
Coach praises a mindset shift
First‑year head coach Ken Perkins lauded Shook’s adaptation to the team’s “hard‑nosed, old‑school, blue‑collar” philosophy. “KC has embraced what we’ve tried to teach,” Perkins said. “He’s changed his running style to a more downhill, north‑south approach, cutting down on juking and focusing on power runs.”
Credit to the blockers
Shook gave full credit to his offensive line and fullback Job Smith, noting that without their blocking he could not have achieved the numbers.
From receiver to running back
Earlier in his career, Shook played receiver and linebacker, even spending time on defense. He transitioned to running back in middle school and has since become the focal point of the Mikes’ offense.
Family, future plans and off‑field interests
Shook comes from a large family with five siblings, including a twin brother, KJ, who just started playing football. He hopes to continue his football journey at the collegiate level, working on his HUDL profile and reaching out to college coaches. In his spare time, Shook enjoys riding dirt bikes on local trails around Carmichaels.
Shook’s remarkable finish to the season underscores the talent and dedication present in western Greene County high‑school athletics, offering a bright example for teammates and younger players alike.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
