PRZNY Team Previews: Carmel Rams

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Last Season (11-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An early season loss to Arlington, later avenged, was the only bump in the road for the Carmel Rams as they made it to the Class AA State Championship, where they got their 2nd loss of the year. Carmel lost their QB early in the game, and the offense could never catch up to the 21-point first quarter that CBA-Syracuse was able to start the game with. It was a dominant defensive year for Carmel as they held 7 opponents to 7 points or less including three straight games where they allowed only 6 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Prospect</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["505858"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cd0cfaca1e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the few varsity underclassmen contributors from Carmel, Mercer is amongst the top prospects in the 2026 class in New York because of his size and explosiveness. At 6'3 265, Mercer shows some versatility with the athleticism to stand up and play 9-tech or shift inside to the 3-technique position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KINGMICAHMERCE1/status/1822304309570072887","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KINGMICAHMERCE1/status/1822304309570072887 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can see in the tweet above how he has the skillset to win with speed and burst around the edge, length on the inside, and impact the passer in multiple ways. His best position at the next level will be determined by how he continues to grow and develop his body, but right now, he has put some good stuff on tape. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Next Three Prospects</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["528727"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cd0cfaca246"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Werlau, among New York's top returning RB prospects when you look at the film and the production, will be an even bigger focus of the Carmel offense as they lose significant depth along every offensive position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Werlau shows the speed to break long runs on film and shows elusiveness in open space. He runs with a great motor and consistently falls forward when tackled. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["838695"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cd0cfaca289"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Galbraith is one of the top returning TE prospects in this class. While Carmel was a heavy run team last season, he showed on tape the ability to block defensive linemen consistently but also flashed some athleticism in his tape as a receiver. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Galbraith has a solid TE frame at 6'4 215, and with a long, lean body type, he can easily develop into a 230lb tight end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1283618"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cd0cfaca2c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kassoh, who plays Carmel's EDGE/OLB role, led the team in sacks last season and returns to Section I as one of the league's top pass rushers. Undersized for the true DE position, Kassoh wins a lot of reps with speed and quickness off the edge. He shows the ability to shed blocks and use his hands well at the point of attack. His size and athleticism translate more to the OLB position at the next level but for Carmel, he is a very disruptive DE. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Player</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1405110"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66cd0cfaca303"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McGrory is listed at ATH because he was a solid DB for Carmel last season but had to come into the state championship after an injury to Carmel's starting quarterback, which he played most of the game. McGrory made some nice plays outside of the pocket and seemed poised in such a crazy situation. McGrory is a two-way player who now has control of the Carmel offense and has a chance to make some noise in Section I.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Names To Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Name</th><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Position</th><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Year</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='1283659' first='Dwane' last='Hibbert']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">OLB</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td><td>Top returning tackler</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='1205777' first='Aiden' last='White']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">DB</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td><td>returning DB that had quality playing time last season</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Thomas Connolly</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">ATH</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td><td>Fairfield Lax Commit, Played some varsity last year</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Altin Shala</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">OL</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td><td>Captain, Key offensive lineman, 6'2 260</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Losses/Commitments</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR/DB - Damien Santiago - Hudson Valley CC</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL - Adam Boeheim - Syracuse</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL - Harrison Collazo -Hudon Valley CC</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>K - Jared Navidad - New Haven</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - Matthew Risley - Salisbury (Lacrosse)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL - Liam Forster - UPenn</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - Jeremy Smith</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - Jayden Robles - Cortland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB - Leo Keesler-Venables </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB - Christian Nunez</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR - Ryan Aabel</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL - Hayden Fragiacomo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - Conor Pile</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2024 Schedule</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1405125,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-26-at-7.04.02-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1405125" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2024 Outlook</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HC: Brendan Connolly (1st Season)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carmel's schedule, at first look, is a typical AA schedule in Section I, but some matchups here offer completely different outlooks than last season. Arlington loses a lot of talent, but just like Carmel does, and even though both sides lose some of their top prospects, it should be an exciting matchup. The North Rockland game last year was only a 14-6 win for Carmel, and they have a strong team heading into the season. Also, Coach Brendan Connolly will take charge as Coach Todd Cayea has called it a career after multiple fantastic seasons with Carmel. Carmel found their new permanent HC after Coach Tom Donahoe held the interim tag to finish last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Things Going For The Rams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive line/OLBs bring some quality back: Mercer, Kassoh, Hibbert, and Galbraith. Regardless of the losses, they are one of the area's top DL /OLB groups. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Werlau returns as arguably the most dynamic playmaker in Section I</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their QB has big game experience; he showed some quality stuff on tape for the State Championship, being his first multi-quarter exposure at the quarterback position. Something that Carmel can build off of. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1 Area To Be Concerns</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They have lost so much talent at nearly every position. Damien Santiago was the DBOTY, Liam Forster was the DLOTY, and Navidad was the STPOTY. In addition, they have sent multiple other linemen to D3 or D1 programs and lost their quarterback. It will be tough for Carmel to reload quickly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Last Word</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think a lot of people will look at a 1st-year head coach losing this much talent and see a hard path through the regular season and playoffs;. However, they will lack the depth of recent years, this Carmel team has legitimate candidates for OPOTY and DPOTY in Section I in Werlau offensively and both Mercer and Kassoh defensively. Talented players like those three prospects can take you a long way. While making it to the State title again may be unlikely, this team is one of the top contenders coming from Section I. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->