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Mount Carmel Area

Updated: 22 hours ago


The game balls when Ashland and North Schuylkill beat Mount Carmel for the first time.


Summary of North Schuylkill vs. Mount Carmel Area Rivalry Series


The rivalry between the North Schuylkill Spartans and Mount Carmel Area Red Tornadoes is one of the most historic and intense in the anthracite coal region.


The tradition began over a century ago between the Ashland High School Black Diamonds and the Mount Carmel Red Tornadoes. Mount Carmel won the series 31-5-1.


After the jointure of the Ashland Area Joint School District and the Frackville School District in 1966. Both schools had operating football programs that consolidated. The Ringtown School District did not have a football program. The Mount Carmel Area Red Tornadoes rivalry carried over from Ashland High School to the new school's name, North Schuylkill Spartans.


Mount Carmel leads the North Schuylkill series 31-17 since the jointure, but in recent years, the Spartans has made significant strides, winning nine of the last ten matchups, including thrilling games in 2023 (34-27) and 2024 (37-30).

Key highlights of the rivalry include:


  • 2021-2024: A dominant period for North Schuylkill, highlighted by close victories and their ability to match Mount Carmel’s storied reputation.

  • Early Rivalry: Mount Carmel controlled much of the earlier decades, including several lopsided wins like 56-7 in 1969 and 45-0 in 1966, underscoring their dominance at the time.

  • Turning Point: North Schuylkill's notable victory in 1982 (28-27) showed their potential to challenge Mount Carmel and marked the beginning of a more competitive era.

Despite Mount Carmel’s early dominance, the rivalry remains a showcase of competitive spirit and high school football excellence, with North Schuylkill proving to be a formidable opponent in recent years. The battles between these programs reflect the rich football traditions of their respective communities. The overall series record between Ashland and North Schuylkill vs. Mount Carmel Area 62-22-1.


NORTH SCHUYLKILL vs. MOUNT CARMEL AREA (MCA Leads 31-17)


Year

North Schuylkill

Mount Carmel Area

Result

Notes

2024

37

30

Win


2023

34

27

Win


2022

17

25

Loss


2021

33

14

Win


2020

N/A

N/A

N/A

DNP: Covid Pandemic

2019

29

17

Win


2018

21

20

Win


2017

33

22

Win


2016

28

14

Win


2015

41

0

Win


2014

53

21

Win


2013

13

19

Loss


2012

41

44

Loss


2011

21

13

Win


2010

34

0

Win


2009

27

7

Win


2008

21

28

Loss


2007

13

42

Loss


2006

27

47

Loss


2005

6

26

Loss


2004

0

33

Loss


2003

0

34

Loss


2002

6

40

Loss


2001

0

27

Loss


2000

13

28

Loss


1999

29

12

Win


1998

12

27

Loss


1997

20

21

Loss


1996

0

14

Loss


1995

14

6

Win


1994

0

42

Loss


1993

19

29

Loss


1992

0

26

Loss


1991

13

22

Loss


1990

0

30

Loss


1989

14

23

Loss


1988

21

29

Loss


1987

31

0

Win


1986

13

9

Win


1985

13

29

Loss


1984

12

40

Loss


1983

13

36

Loss


1982

28

27

Win


1981

6

37

Loss


1980

6

33

Loss


1979

0

14

Loss


1978

0

18

Loss


1977

10

14

Loss


1976

19

46

Loss


1975

0

33

Loss


1974

27

30

Loss


1973

8

20

Loss


1972

3

21

Loss


1971

14

24

Loss


1970

0

48

Loss


1969

7

56

Loss


1968

6

33

Loss


1967

0

41

Loss


1966

0

45

Loss



The First North Schuylkill Team To Beat Mount Carmel Area

1st Row: Jim Pellock, Joe Cataldo, John Jordan, Steve Cesari, Steve Ennis, Vince Disabella, Todd Smith. 2nd Row: Tony Jordan, Charles Anthony, John Petrus, Scott Houser, Ron Elsavage, Harry Dillman, John Rupinsky, Rob Wary. 3rd Row: Rich Wagner, Bill Kaufman, Blake Mickatavage, Joe Pellock, Dave Gricoski, Jeff Grove, Scott Miller, Duane Dean, Dave Cabullis, Mike Major, Bob Gray. 4th Row: Jim Cooney, Glenn Geist, Jack Polizzi, Chris Lewullis, Bob Cheddar, Bill Stanton, Tim Reinoehl, Albert Razzis, Joe James, and Ron Hartz.

On Friday October 15, 1982, was the first time a North Schuylkill football team beat the Mount Carmel Area Red Tornadoes in school history. Head Coach Barry Hackenberg and his Spartans upset the Red Tornadoes and Legendary Pennsylvania Hall of Fame coach Joseph 'Jazz' Diminick. The Spartans won 28-27 at Spartan Stadium. Before the North Schuylkill Jointure back in 1966. The last time an Ashland High School football team beat Mount Carmel was back on October 27, 1950. The Black Diamonds beat the Red Tornadoes 18-7 at Memorial Field in Ashland. It took 32 years to beat Mount Carmel. There was also a tie back in 1956.


ASHLAND vs. MOUNT CARMEL (MC Won 31-5-1)

Year

Ashland

Mount Carmel

Result

Notes

1965

12

63

Loss


1964

0

39

Loss


1963

7

54

Loss


1962

12

34

Loss


1961

0

33

Loss


1960

0

32

Loss


1959

0

21

Loss


1958

6

22

Loss


1957

0

21

Loss


1956

6

6

Tie


1955

20

60

Loss


1954

14

33

Loss


1953

7

33

Loss


1952

6

33

Loss


1951

7

19

Loss


1950

18

7

Win


1949

7

0

Win


1948

13

8

Win


1947

0

6

Loss


1946

7

33

Loss


1945

0

32

Loss


1944

0

31

Loss


1943

8

0

Win


1942

6

13

Loss


1941

0

20

Loss


1940

0

40

Loss


1939

0

19

Loss


1938

0

33

Loss


1934

6

12

Loss


1933

13

0

Win


1925

6

91

Loss


1924

0

25

Loss


1920

0

63

Loss


1919

0

39

Loss


1911

0

23

Loss


1909

0

56

Loss


1906

0

11

Loss



The First Ashland Team To Beat Mount Carmel


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