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Shanafelt putting best foot forward for Peters Township

By Eleanor Bailey 6 min read
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Carter Shanafelt connected on a career-high four field goals during Peters Township's 33-14 win against Cathedral Prep during the first round of the PIAA 5A football playoffs.

Although he is a captain and leader of the Peters Township football team, Carter Shanafelt has given in to peer pressure and followed the crowd on occasion.

Before he entered high school, Shanafelt was a star for the Beadling Soccer Club’s showcase team consisting of players from neighboring and rival communities such as Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair and Bethel Park. He never considered playing football with his classmates until he succumbed to Jake Velgich’s persuasive powers.

“Jake’s my closest friend. The main dude that influenced me,” Shanafelt said. “He would not stop talking about football and how I had to play. It was so annoying.”

Once Shanafelt finally put on the pads, he immediately annoyed the competition. Now people cannot stop talking about his talent.

Shanafelt has done it all for the Indians this fall as they continued their quest for a state title. He kicks, punts, scores and plays defense.

He ranks as the team’s top receiver with 40 catches. He has 453 yards and a 11.3-yard average. He also leads the team in scoring with 11 touchdowns, 63 PAT and eight field goals for 153 points.

“First and foremost, Carter is an integral component of our offense,” said PT head coach TJ Plack. “We have a couple playmakers on the outside but they are led by him. His speed and confidence make him a weapon.”

Shanafelt’s foot was the primary weapon that vaulted the Indians (14-0) into the state semifinals, where they faced Cocalico (12-1) on Dec. 1 at Mansion Park Stadium in Altoona. In a first-round PIAA playoff victory against Cathedral Prep, 33-14, played Nov. 24 at the Hagerty Events Center in Erie, Shanafelt kicked four field goals and supplied three extra points.

“Carter has made a huge contribution to our special team units as a place kicker and punter,” Plack said. “This week with 15 points, saving a bad punt, snap over his head. Last week with a fake punt and throughout the season with timely kicks that either flipped the field for us or put our opponents in bad situations.”

The Indians were in a precarious way against the Ramblers. They had jumped off to a 14-0 lead on scoring strikes of 32 and 62 yards from quarterback Nolan DiLucia to Ethan Wertman and Thomas Aspinall, but Cathedral Prep tied the contest on scores by Coery Allen (32-yard reception from Luke Costello) and Suhtaun Lewis (9-yard run).

Enter Shanafelt. He kicked field goals of 29 and 30 yards to put the Indians ahead, 20-14, at halftime. He tacked on field goals of 26 and 29 yards before Vinny Sarcone iced the scoring with a two-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.

“I feel like the first (field goal) was a big one. The most important,” Shanafelt said. “When they came back with those two touchdowns, we needed something. So that was big. We needed something to get us in the groove.”

Shanafelt does “whatever it takes” for the Indians. He even plays defense on a unit that has posted five shutouts and surrendered just 114 points during a season that has seen Peters Township capture a conference championship and first WPIAL title in school history.

“I love defense. Being out there with my 11 brothers and stopping the other team,” Shanafelt said.

There is no question, however, Shanafelt prefers scoring points.

“There’s something about offense. Catching a touchdown pass and the band’s playing the fight song,” he said.

“It’s really not about me though,” he added. “I just want to put our team in the best position to win.”

Success did not come easy for Shanafelt. It required exertion and belief.

“Due to his work ethic and consistency, not to mention his big-playmaking ability, Carter was selected a captain by our players,” explained Plack. “He does it on and off the field.

In addition to lifting in the weight room and going to fields for passing and 1-on-1 drills, Carter worked ‘non-stop’ alongside his teammates during the offseason to become an undefeated team battling into December for a possible PIAA banner.

“Catching a pass came second nature through practicing. Hours of running routes and developing a connection with our quarterback,” Shanafelt explained. “It’s about showing up every day in practice and wanting to get better. That’s how it has to be.

“It’s not surprising this is happening,” he continued. “We spoke this into existence. We told ourselves that if we worked, it would happen.

“Right now, we are a well-oiled machine. If we stay consistent and stay true to how we are playing, there is no need to change anything.”

As a senior, Shanafelt is definitely delighted he listened to his teammates four years ago.

“Going back to that decision, even though I didn’t know how to transition from soccer or play football, it was the right one,” Shanafelt. “My friends said to ‘try it’ and I am so glad that I did.”

Getting to know Carter Shanafelt

Everybody knows Carter Shanafelt as a multiple threat on the Peters Township football team. He can catch and kick a football on offense, play defense and punt.

The senior leads the Indians in scoring with 11 touchdowns, 63 extra points and 8 field goals, four of which he recorded in a win against Cathedral Prep, 33-14, in the first round of the PIAA Class 5A playoffs.

But did you know:

• Shanafelt is the cousin of Josh Casilli. The Peters Township graduate has been a starting wide receiver at the University of Pennsylvania for the past two seasons.

• He is the son of Jason and Allison Shanafelt. They grew up in Peters Township and are Penn State graduates, but were not high school sweethearts.

• Shanafelt has two younger siblings: Lucas and Emme. Lucas is a sophomore linebacker and wide receiver on the varsity football team.

• He is the centerfielder on the high school baseball team. He earned second-team all-section acclaim.

• Shanafelt plans to major in finance while playing football in college. He hopes to eventually get into real estate.

• His athletic highlight to date is winning the WPIAL 5A football championship. “It’s the greatest moment of my life. No. 1 so far until we win states,” said.

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