Originally written November 28, 2002, for Jeric’s Lackawanna Sports
By Jeric Yurkanin
Football fans poured into Kemp Memorial Stadium to watch two proud programs—Mount Carmel and Lakeland—collide with their seasons on the line.
During pregame warmups, players stood along the sidelines with blank stares on their faces. They understood what was at stake. For one team, this would be the final high school football game of the season—and for some seniors, the final game of their lives.
Then, suddenly, the silence disappeared.
Excitement filled the stadium. Electricity traveled through the crowd. The opening whistle sounded, and two teams began fighting a playoff battle that would not soon be forgotten.
When it was finally over, one team advanced to the state semifinals.
The other walked away with its season finished.
Mount Carmel wasted little time lighting up the scoreboard.
Fullback Dave Brown lowered his shoulders and pounded through Lakeland’s defensive line for a 3-yard touchdown run, giving the Red Tornadoes the early advantage.
After forcing Lakeland to punt on its next possession, Mount Carmel marched 67 yards in 11 plays. Once again, Brown finished the drive by powering his way into the end zone.
Mount Carmel appeared to be taking control—but Lakeland quarterback Trevor Tellip made sure the Red Tornadoes didn’t become too comfortable.
Tellip dropped back and connected with Jake Rogowski for a 67-yard touchdown pass that suddenly brought the Lakeland crowd back to life.
“The coach called a great play,” Rogowski said. “Trevor threw a great ball. We were lucky to break it for a touchdown.”
Despite Lakeland’s big play, Mount Carmel entered halftime with a commanding 28–6 lead.
The Chiefs could have folded.
They didn’t.
Lakeland opened the second half by driving the football all the way to Mount Carmel’s 3-yard line. From there, fullback Joe Tuzze powered across the goal line, cutting the Red Tornadoes’ lead to 28–12.
Suddenly, the Chiefs had life.
Then Lakeland’s defense delivered the turnover it desperately needed.
The Chiefs forced a Mount Carmel fumble, and John DeMark recovered it. Momentum began shifting. Lakeland’s fans rose from their seats, and Tellip returned to the field with an opportunity to make the game interesting.
The Chiefs’ quarterback meant business.
Tellip led Lakeland down to Mount Carmel’s 15-yard line. The Chiefs were moving. The crowd was growing louder. A comeback that once appeared impossible was beginning to feel real.
Then, on third-and-8, everything changed.
Tellip dropped back to pass and was driven to the ground. He injured his right shoulder on the play.
Kemp Memorial Stadium became silent.
Lakeland’s players and fans watched as Tellip slowly returned to the huddle for the next play, determined to continue. But Coach Dan Case called him to the sideline.
His night was over.
Tellip spent the remainder of the third and fourth quarters watching backup quarterback Mike Ciuccol attempt to bring the Chiefs back from the 28–12 deficit.
Lakeland continued fighting, but its best remaining opportunity ended when Mount Carmel’s defense stopped Tuzze on fourth-and-3.
After that, the night belonged to the Red Tornadoes.
“The best defense is a good offense,” Mount Carmel coach Mike Brennan said.
Mount Carmel quarterback Dave Shinskie controlled the game, completing 15 of his 20 passes for 208 yards.
Even Lakeland’s players recognized the talent standing across from them.
“He is a good athlete,” Tuzze said. “Dave is definitely Division I material.”
When the final seconds disappeared from the scoreboard, Mount Carmel had defeated Lakeland, 35–12.
The Red Tornadoes remained undefeated and advanced to face Northwestern Lehigh in the state semifinals. However, Shinskie understood that Mount Carmel would need to prepare for a different challenge.
“They’re a pretty big team,” Shinskie said. “They have four good guys who can hurt you at any time. We just need to play Mount Carmel football.”
Lakeland’s season ended beneath the lights at Kemp Memorial Stadium.
The Chiefs fought back. They forced a turnover. They gave their fans hope. But Tellip’s injured shoulder and Mount Carmel’s powerful offense were too much to overcome.
One team left the stadium with its season finished.
The other left still undefeated, still advancing and still chasing another state championship.
On this night, Mount Carmel football marched on.
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