Contact: Mrs. Jayne Platts
Communications Consultant
John Carroll High School
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JOHN CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL GOLDEN RAMS FOOTBALL MADE
FINAL FOUR APPEARANCE FOR FIRST TIME IN NEARLY 20 YEARS
FORT PIERCE – The John Carroll High School Golden Rams varsity football team reached the Final Four for the first time in 19 years.
Under John Carroll Athletic Director and Varsity Head Football Coach Mickey Groody’s leadership, the team made its first Class 1S state semifinal appearance since 2003.
John Carroll football parent and Math Department Chair Cyndee Shevak said it was one of the most special seasons in her 20 years of working at John Carroll.
“All the players, especially the seniors, were one big family,” Shevak said. “Having my son and godson on the team was extra special, but honestly all the players felt like my kids,” Shevak said. “These seniors were true leaders in every aspect of the word!”
Even though the Rams did not come home with the state title this season, they made history at John Carroll and locally, finishing first on the Treasure Coast against schools up to eight times its size.
The team’s journey to the Final Four is what resonated with many players, coaches, students, parents, alumni and fans. It showed that John Carroll is more than a school – it is truly a family united in Christ’s love with a passion for educating young men and women of character and integrity on and off the field.
Principal Corey Heroux was a student at John Carroll during the football team’s last trip to the Final Four.
“To be able to relive such a memorable experience was so exciting,” Heroux said. “Despite the final score, I was most moved by what happened after the game, as Coach Groody spoke to the entire team and larger community gathered in Ocala, emphasizing the fact that being men of character is more important than any state title, and led us all in prayer. This moment of unity is one that I know that all involved will remember forever!”
Groody said the support of the John Carroll administration, faculty, staff, parents, fans and stakeholders was evident at the game.
“To have all the boys surrounded by the entire fanbase after that loss was something I will cherish forever,” Groody said. “This senior group has continued to build the foundation for what we stand for – the ‘We over Me’ mentality.”
Groody said this season was special due to the growth of the young men he coached, knowing they gave everything they had all season.
“As a coach, I will judge myself not on how many wins I have but on how my players grow up into men, husbands and fathers,” Groody said. “I have no doubt the group of young men who are graduating this year will be amazing individuals.”
John Carroll will say goodbye to a fantastic group of senior leaders after their historic 10-2 season, including Auburn commit and defensive end Wilky Denaud, Lehigh commit and cornerback Aidan Singleton, and offensive lineman Austin Shevak, committed to Ave Maria.
“Going to the Final Four was a great experience, especially approaching it with my brothers,” Singleton said. “I know that game was a building block not only to my journey but to everyone in our [John Carroll] family. I cannot wait to see what God has planned for me and my brothers.”
“We are now a program that is not just hoping to make the playoffs. We are a program that is ready to play for the biggest prize, which is a state championship,” Groody said. “That is the standard here at John Carroll and it’s all due to players past and present, and it will continue to be the standard as long as I am the head coach here at John Carroll.”
Visit johncarrollhigh.com or call 772-464-5200 for more information about John Carroll High School. “Like” John Carroll on Facebook, follow on Twitter @JohnCarrollHS and follow on Instagram @johncarrollhighschool.
About John Carroll High School
John Carroll High School is located in Fort Pierce, Florida, and strives to inspire, foster, develop, and affirm the young people entrusted to its care. It serves its students, alumni, families and the community at large. Rev. Thomas E. Barrett is the president and Mrs. Corey Heroux is the principal. For more information about John Carroll High School, please visit johncarrollhigh.com or call 772-462-5200. “Like” John Carroll on Facebook, follow on Twitter @JohnCarrollHS and follow on Instagram @johncarrollhighschool.
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Suggested photo captions:
jc family post-game gathering photo.jpg:John Carroll High School football players, coaches, parents, family members, students and alumni gathered together on the field in prayer after their loss to Trinity Catholic in Ocala, Florida on Friday, Nov. 27, 2022.
Photo Credit: John Carroll Principal Corey Heroux
2022JC_RamsFootball.jpg:The John Carroll High School varsity football team made it to the Final Four for the first time in nearly 20 years under Coach Mickey Groody’s leadership.
Photo Credit: Blue Leprechaun Photography
JC QB Dawson Maehl_senior.jpg: The John Carroll High School varsity football team made it to the Final Four for the first time in nearly 20 years under Coach Mickey Groody’s leadership.
Pictured: Senior QB Dawson Maehl
Photo Credit: Blue Leprechaun Photography
Senior Edge Wilky Denaud_JCHS.jpg: The John Carroll High School varsity football team made it to the Final Four for the first time in nearly 20 years under Coach Mickey Groody’s leadership.
Pictured: Senior defensive end and Auburn Football commit Wilky Denaud
Photo Credit: Blue Leprechaun Photography
JCHS Aidan Singleton.jpg:The John Carroll High School varsity football team made it to the Final Four for the first time in nearly 20 years under Coach Mickey Groody’s leadership.
Pictured: Senior CB and Lehigh Football commit Aidan Singleton
Photo Credit: Blue Leprechaun Photography
