Boys athlete of the week
// The Post-Gazette’s top male performer from the past seven days
The past week: Carter, a senior quarterback, put himself in the WPIAL football record book when he completed 6 of 6 passes for 66 yards and rushed for 170 yards in a 6322 victory last Friday against Avella.
Check this out: With his performance against Avella, Carter became only the 11th player in WPIAL history to rush for 1,000 yards and pass for 1,000 yards in the regular season (Shady Side Academy’s Skyy Moore did it twice). For the year, Carter has completed 82 of 143 passes for 1,066 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also has rushed for 1,008 yards on 126 attempts and scored 17 touchdowns. Carter is 6 feet 2, 185 pounds and has been a four-year starter at linebacker. He also plays baseball and has a 4.1 grade-point average in the classroom.
Did you have any idea only 10 others had 1,000 and 1,000 in the regular season? I didn’t until my coaches started telling me about it recently, when I was around 800 yards rushing. Was it on your mind a lot to get 1,000 and 1,000? It was once they started telling me about it. But I still had to play the game the same way. I couldn’t overhype it and try to do too much.
OK, time for a trivia question. Can you name any of the other 11 to have 1,000 and 1,000? Ahhh, I think one kid’s name is Nico Law.
Yes, he was the first known to do it, eight years ago from Ringgold. Any others you know? Not really.
How about Phil Jurkovec? I do not know who that is.
Really? He’s the quarterback from Pine-Richland who went to Notre Dame and now is at Boston College? Sorry, I don’t know who he is.
Were you always a quarterback or are you a running back playing quarterback? I’ve always been a quarterback, ever since midget leagues.
Have you always been a good runner? Yeah, I’d say so. But I’d say I’m a decent runner. I wouldn’t say I’m a good one.
I understand you like defense better than offense? I don’t know if I like it better, but it’s definitely fun.
Carmichaels’ nickname is Mikes. What is a Mike anyway?
Ahhh, that’s a good question (laugh). I really don’t think anyone has a true answer. It’s just a character that’s up to your imagination, really. Like, if you’re a Mike, then you’re someone who is dependable, a good friend and someone who is respected.
OK, is there a mascot? Yeah, there ‘s a mascot. But it’s just, like, this muscular dude (laugh).