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Mooney’s Amill, Handel share the work
By Ryan Buck
YOUNGSTOWN
Talk about beating a dead horse: football is supposed to be a team game.
One area team unashamedly exemplifies that better than most.
Sharing is caring in the Cardinal Mooney offensive backfield, and it has brought the Cardinals to the brink of the 12th state championship game in school history.
“The key to the whole system with using multiple running backs is the unselfishness of them all,” said Mooney coach P.J. Fecko.
Another is balance.
Both senior Mark Handel and junior C.J. Amill have rushed for more than 1,000 yards and average over six yards per carry. Handel, who has scored 15 touchdowns, also leads the team in receiving. Amill has found the end zone 10 times in 13 games.
“We have runners that can go inside and outside,” said the 5-foot-8, 165-pound Amill. “It’s hard to stop when you have two runners that can do that.”
Amill says it’s not hard to contrast their running styles.
“Mark’s very patient,” he said. “He stretches it, then gets to the outside. I’m not as patient. I like to hammer it and run between the tackles.”
The Division IV playoffs have brought out their best.
Handel struck twice in the first half of Mooney’s first round rout of Cleveland John Hay.
In their regional semifinal win over Struthers, Amill broke loose for three touchdowns, including runs of 47 and 57 yards.
Both spearheaded the comeback win over Cleveland Benedctine this past Friday. Handel broke loose on a 71-yard touchdown run and Amill scored while rushing for a game-high 140 yards.
“It’s nice to alternate on offense,” Handel said,” and kind of get a break here and there.”
Their combined excellence is a microcosm of a team void of a superstar(s) to follow.
“It’s a bunch of guys that go out and play hard and want to win,” Handel said.
Amill believes the attitude starts at the top.
“It’s part of playing at Mooney,” he said. “They always emphasize that it’s not about one player. It’s a team effort.”
For the last two years, Handel has helped Amill grow into his role.
“Even last year, just watching how hard he ran made me work a lot harder. He’s given me a lot of advice and he’s been a great leader.”
Fecko loves his running back tandem, but truly believes the Mooney system begins with their blockers.
“Obviously, Mark and C.J. have done an outstanding job,” Fecko said. “Their stats and their performances show that and I think what goes along with that are all the people that are helping them.”
Three Cardinals split time at fullback as well.
Christian Lowery, Anthony Dermotta and Brandon Berry rotate in front of Handel and Amill.
“It helps propel those guys to their success,” Fecko said.