Kos and effect: Carmel ices St. Charles E.
Prior to the start of the 2010 season, Carmel coach Andy Bitto promised the Corsairs ice cream every time the offense scored over 40 points.
With the way the offense performed in the season opener against St. Charles East, it might be time for Bitto may need to take out a loan just to keep up.
The Carmel offense racked up 50 straight points against the visiting Saints on Friday night and rolled to an impressive 56-7 win.
"I did make that promise," Bitto said. "Might have to look at that from here on out."
If Bitto is looking to point the finger at those responsible for the offensive outburst, he should use two fingers. Juniors Jordan Kos and Michael Panico led the way for a Carmelo offense that put up a school record 557 yards on the ground. All that behind an offensive line that had several question marks heading into this season.
"(Michael) Dyer and Shane (Toub) and the guys did a great job tonight," said Panico, who rushed for 236 yards and a pair of scores in his first varsity start. "We have had confidence in that group all along. They don't have to make big holes because we can use our speed and go from there."
Even with the dynamic rushing performances from Kos and Panico, Carmel did trail midway through the first quarter.
Following a fumbled exchange between Kos and quarterback Brian Serio, the Saints took over at the Carmel 15 yard line.
Three plays later, senior Mike Brown gave the Saints a 7-6 lead with a one yard scoring run. Brown finished with 80 yards rushing on 27 carries for East.
"At the end of the first quarter I liked where the game was at," said Saints coach Mike Fields. "We were moving the ball well on offense and our defense was stopping them."
The Saints defense' was holding, and the Corsairs were stopping themselves as well. Penalties and turnovers early halted several Corsair drives until Kos finally got the offense going again.
Just 20 seconds after the Saints took the lead, Carmel (1-0) took it right back and did so for good. Kos burst through the middle of the line right behind Toub, Dyer and Logan Lester and ran away from the defense for his first of a personal-best 4 rushing touchdowns. His 56 yard run put Carmel ahead at 13-7 at the end of the opening quarter.
"We were moving the ball and we had confidence that we could score," Kos said. "Our offensive line did a great job of opening holes for Michael and I, and when we have room like that you see what happens."
Kos' burst started an onslaught of 50 straight points for Carmel. He capped the end of the first half with a 51-yard scoring run then opened the second half with a modest 24 yard run and the rout was on.
"(Carmel) has the type of speed and athleticism that you just don't see that often," Fields said. "You saw it tonight with the way they would get to spots on the field on defense. But we will bounce back like a good team will and will be ready for next week."
Panico added his second score of the night on a 74-yard burst before a pair of Brian Brennan scores closed out the Carmel scoring.