Behind The Box Score

With the failure of the South-Western City Schools operating levy last August, Central Crossing soccer star Luke Carmichael was held back from a junior season that looked to be very promising. Starting every game in his first two seasons on the varsity squad, a third year on the team was out of sight. But for Carmichael, his playing days were nowhere near ending.

As a key member of Blast F.C., Carmichael has modeled his game of his idol Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably the world’s greatest player who Carmichael compares his speed to. Another comparison is leadership, which Carmichael was a big part of last season for the Comets, serving as captain. When asked about what he does on the field to help teammates the most and improve the team as a whole, Carmichael responed by saying, “I’m a strong leader. I tell people what to do and just help communicate and I see the whole field when I’m playing which helps my team and forces me to make smart decisions.” Carmichael would add later, “As a team, we are very good at yelling at one another on the field to encourage better play and improve and kinks that may be in our game.”

With a school season out of the window, most of Luke’s time would be devoted to his club team, which after winning two tournaments in the last month, look to be on track to win the state championship.

“With the failure of the levy, it really caused me to focus on my club team much more. I was determined to get better each day and I put in the necessary work to do so.”

Scoring seven goals on the top talent in the region, numerous colleges have come calling. These include the likes of Eastern Illinois and Marshall among others. Attending a school where athletic success has been hard to come by, Carmichael has been the alternative in his three years as a Comet, and if he keeps working hard and staying focused the sky is the limit for the Manchester United fan. When asked how he reminds himself of Ronaldo, who is now starring for the European power Real Madrid, Carmichael cited his speed, strength and decision making ability as the major similarities.

“I have a really strong shot, I’m pretty accurate and my speed is a major strength.”

When the school season for soccer opens up next fall look for Carmichael to be right back on his road to success that likely will end on the Division I level.