Mount Carmel came out flat against Loyola on Saturday. That was clear to everyone in attendance on the South Side. Senior linebacker Stephen Winkler, one of the team captains, admitted it after the game.
Maybe that was understandable after just beating the Ramblers the week before, but it has been a habit this season for the Caravan and a regular feature under coach Jordan Lynch.
That’s about the only chink to be found in Mount Carmel’s armor. So far, the Caravan has lived up to all the preseason hype. Quarterback Emmett Dowling, in his first year as the starter, has been even better than expected.
“I have to give props to the receivers, the offensive line and the defense,” Dowling said after beating Loyola. “It’s not me making the plays. It is them.”
Dowling is humble, but he’s become a star this season. The senior won the CCL/ESCC Blue Tony Lawless Player of the Year award this season and has expertly guided all the high-level talent around him.
Mount Carmel defensive lineman Caleb “Bonecrusher” Tucker limped off injured in the second quarter against Loyola and didn’t return. Tucker, a 6-5, 355-pound sophomore, is one of the best players in the country. Losing him would have decimated most defenses. Just look at how Lincoln-Way East struggled when Illinois-bound defensive lineman Jacob Alexander went out.
The Caravan didn’t miss a beat.
“We were fine,” Winkler said. “I mean, it is obviously big because [Tucker] is awesome. But we have faith in everybody who is going to come and step up in his place.”
Next up for Mount Carmel is a trip to Belleville East, a St. Louis suburban school, in the second round. The Caravan are heavy favorites, and if they win could host Lincoln-Way East in the quarterfinals. That would be the biggest game of the season so far.
Porter pride returns
Over the last ten years, four teams have won Class 8A state championships. Loyola has five titles, Lincoln-Way East has two titles and Maine South has one. Those are familiar, perennial powerhouse teams. There was no state title awarded in 2020 because of COVID.
Some fans might struggle to come up with the fourth team. It was Lockport in 2021. The Porters knocked off Maine South 24-6 in the state championship and beat Loyola 35-21 in the semifinals.
Until Saturday, Lockport had not won a playoff game since 2021. The Porters knocked off Sandburg 21-14 on the road.
Lockport (7-3) has received some solid buzz lately. The Porters host Homewood-Flossmoor in the second round. The Vikings knocked off Lockport 28-13 in Week 3, so that will be a major test.
Shamrock success
St. Patrick’s splashy coaching hire of former NFL and Notre Dame star Tom Zbikowski has started well.
The Shamrocks (6-4) won the CCL/ESCC Purple this season and knocked off unbeaten Wauconda in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs. It is the first playoff win for St. Patrick since 2021. The Shamrocks were 2-7 last season.
Public League football woes
Public League football teams finished 0-15 against non-Public League teams in the first round of the state playoffs. The Public League teams were outscored 688-178.
Only three teams were competitive: Morgan Park in 5A, Sullivan in 2A and Crane in 1A.
Lane is still alive in Class 8A after beating Perspectives. Kenwood beat Prosser in Class 7A and will play at Lincoln-Way West in the second round. Simeon knocked off Goode to advance to the second round in Class 6A. The Wolverines will host Normal West this weekend.
King and Corliss advanced in Class 5A and will face each other in the second round.