Carmen Defrancesco, Jr.

• Post by: mcalibrary
• December 15, 2023
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INDUCTEE

Carmie DeFrancesco was one of the great Tornado running backs of the 10-year period from 1965 through 1975 who looked like they were all produced on an assembly line. They were all small, lightning quick, score-from-anywhere-on-the-field types. Names like Hamernick, Veach, Pizzoli, Hynoski, Gary Diminick receded him. At that time, the Tornadoes were so deep that a running back never really got an opportunity to get the ball until his junior year or senior year.

Despite that, Carmie lettered four years during the period when the Tornadoes completely dominated Coal Region football. Their record during the four-year period suited up was 44-3. He played on three consecutive Southern Division Class A champions.

And also despite the fact there was so much talent the ball carrying suits has to be split up, he still was able to elbow himself into the record books. He is one of the only seven Tornado rushers to gain more than 1,000 yards in a season. Against Shamokin in 1970, he rushed for 217 years (the third best in school history).

He played at Juniata College from 1971 to 1975, lettering all four years and starting at tailback the final three.

He presently owns and manages NAPA Auto Parts of Mt. Carmel and Shamokin, and coached the backs at Mt. Carmel High School. He is married (the former Karen Welker) and has three children, only one of them a running back.