Ken Perkins’ first year as head coach of the Carmichaels High School football team ended on a high note. The Mikes opened the 2026 season with a 20‑13 road win at Leechburg, but then dropped six straight games, falling to 1‑6 overall and 0‑4 in the Class A Tri‑County South Conference.
Turnaround in the final three contests
Refusing to let the losing streak dictate the season, Perkins kept the squad focused. Facing three Greene County rivals in the final stretch, Carmichaels swept all three, closing the year at 4‑6 overall and 3‑4 in the conference.
“Losing six straight was a struggle, no doubt,” Perkins said. “The players kept hope alive and saw the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Key contributors on offense
The late‑season surge was powered by a revitalized offensive line and a dynamic running game. Senior fullback Job Smith’s blocking opened lanes for junior tailback KC Shook, who carried the ball 82 times for 717 yards and eight touchdowns in the wins over West Greene (22‑14), Jefferson‑Morgan (33‑0) and Mapletown (40‑26). Shook finished the season with 1,189 rushing yards.
“The whole team kept their heads up,” Shook said. “We could’ve easily packed it in, but we didn’t want to. I kept working to get better.”
When asked about his personal milestones, Shook noted, “I knew I needed about 30 more yards to reach 1,000, a goal I’d never hit before. Winning the game against Mapletown was number one on the list.”
Coaching adjustments pay off
Perkins credited a shift in the blocking scheme and the chemistry between his first‑year offensive coordinator for the turnaround. “We were feeling our way at the start, but the offensive line grew stronger as the season progressed,” he explained. “That gives us confidence heading into next year.”
Looking ahead, Carmichaels will return all but five seniors for the 2027 campaign. Shook added, “I plan to keep working in the weight room and improve. I’d love to see us have a winning season and make the playoffs.”
Community pride
The Mikes’ late‑season resurgence has energized the Carmichaels community, reinforcing the town’s tradition of supporting its youth athletics. Fans anticipate a competitive 2027 season as the team builds on the momentum generated by perseverance and teamwork.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
