By Stephen Spiewak
MaxPreps.com
CHICAGO, Ill. – Going into his team’s game against Loyola Academy, Mount Carmel head coach Frank Lenti told his players that they could not win the Chicago Catholic League title, but they could have a say in who does.
Lenti’s Caravan squad responded in resounding fashion, crushing the rising Ramblers 35-14 in a game played early Friday evening at Gately Stadium on Chicago’s Southside.
“Loyola is a great team; they demolished St. Rita last week,” Lenti said. “And now we came out and played a pretty good game against them this week.”
Lenti’s comments hint at a growing parity in the Chicago Catholic League Blue, which is solidifying its reputation as one of the deepest leagues in the country. No team has gone undefeated in league play this season.
Quarterback Jordan Lynch led the way for Mount Carmel, who never trailed in the game. He connected with senior wide receiver Brett Butler for a 76-yard strike in the second quarter, ran in a second touchdown from three yards out minutes later and added a 54-yard touchdown scamper in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
“I know a lot of guys get a lot more ink that Jordan Lynch does, but he’s pretty darn good,” Lenti said. “He’s a difference maker.”
Lynch echoed Lenti’s sentiments that it was important for the Caravan to continue to battle hard despite being out on contention for the league title.
“We had something to prove,” Lynch said of the Caravan, whose two early season losses have become atypical of a program that has captured 20 state championships and 92 Catholic League championships. “We knew we couldn’t win the Catholic League title but we still had to come out here and play hard.”
Mount Carmel jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter, thanks to a one-yard touchdown run by junior halfback Milton Greer.
Sporting its new spread offense, Loyola Academy quickly retaliated, with senior QB Lucas Ruske leading the charge. Ruske did an effective job of evading pressure from the Mount Carmel defense for much of the first half. He connected with is favorite target, senior wide out Michael Johnson, for a 25-yard touchdown pass to knot the score at 7-7 in the first.
The second quarter saw Greer’s other touchdown run, in which the junior weaved his way between the tackles to score from 32 yards out.
Looking to create some separation, Lenti went to the air late in the first half. With the ball on the Mount Carmel 24-yard line, Lynch found senior receiver Brett Butler wide open over the middle of the field on a deep slant route for a 76-yard touchdown pass.
Lynch said afterward the team exploited an extremely aggressive Ramblers defense that proved susceptible to play action passes.
He and Lenti both agreed that the team’s offense was coming into its own. In the team’s two losses – to Providence Catholic and St. Rita – Mount Carmel scored a total of 24 points. Since then, the team has scored 38 points per game in its last three contests, all victories.
The Caravan also had a very impressive defensive effort, stifling the Ramblers’ spread attack. Lenti attributed the fine performance to his brother, Dave, the team’s defensive coordinator, who held Loyola scoreless after halftime.
“The plan was to shrink the field, and don’t give up any big plays,” he said. “Fortunately, we were able to come up with a lot of big plays on offense to keep their offense off the field.”
For the Ramblers, the loss eliminates the possibility of a Chicago Catholic League Blue title. That will likely be decided next week, when St. Rita takes on Brother Rice. Both schools have only one loss.
With the win, Mount Carmel qualifies for the playoffs for the 23rd straight season, which is believed to be an all-time state record. Lenti refuses to look that far ahead.
“We’ve got a real big ball game next week at Homewood Flossmoor,” he said. “I’m sure they’ll be more than ready for us.”