Hall of Fame
Nicknamed "Big John" at 6'3, 196 pounds, McCarthy was a three-year varsity football player who started on both sides of the ball for the Lions. Against a murderous schedule that featured two opponents that finished among the state's top 10 teams his senior year, the talented Lions posted a disappointing 4-5 record under first-year head coach Tom Ward. John teamed up with Hall of Fame quarterback Tim Stech to catch seven touchdown passes - second highest in school history. He caught 10 passes and a touchdown in an opening upset win at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. He blocked two punts against Padua and was a bastion at defensive end in a shocking 30-0 win over a powerful Youngstown Cardinal Mooney, who had not been shutout in 10 years.
For his efforts, John was named the team's MVP and first team All-Independent. He also played forward on the Lion basketball team, outfield on the baseball squad, and ran the quarter mile in track.John was the starting wide receiver on the nationally ranked Kansas State University football team. Following his college career he was drafted by the fledgling World Football League and recruited as a free agent for the Dallas Cowboys.
