Mount Carmel wins its 17th state title, pulls off the four-peat after beating Oswego to win 8A

DEKALB, Ill.— Winning a state football title is a common accomplishment at Mount Carmel. The school has a record 17 championships after defeating Oswego 20-3 in the Class 8A title game on Wednesday at NIU’s Huskie Stadium.

This year’s Caravan, chock full of the most Power Five prospects in Chicago high school football history, received more and more attention as the season went on and by the time they arrived in DeKalb, a championship was expected and the rest of the state was ready to blown away by athleticism and the team’s high-flying aerial attack.

Oswego didn’t allow that to happen. The Panthers’ defense, which found its footing in the state playoffs, was up for the challenge. It didn’t allow Mount Carmel any of the home-run pass plays it so regularly pulled off all season.

“Credit goes to Oswego,” Caravan coach Jordan Lynch said. “They came out and played hard, played tough. They are well-coached. And credit to our guys too.”

The Caravan managed one touchdown in the first half, a one-yard run from quarterback Emmet Dowling. Special teams and defense came to the rescue for Mount Carmel (14-0) in the second half.

Junior Cullen Winters blocked an Oswego punt midway through the third quarter. Gavin Conjar scooped it up and ran 11 yards for a TD to put the Caravan ahead 14-3.

Dowling didn’t blame the cold, windy weather for Mount Carmel’s offensive woes.

“We are going to get everyone’s best game,” Dowling said. “They played us tough. We started off slow. That’s not what you want. But we finished strong. We got used to the weather. That didn’t affect us at all.”

Oswego started to move the ball late in the third quarter, but junior linebacker Roman Igwebuike grabbed an interception to end the threat and permanently grab the momentum for Mount Carmel.

Dowling was 16 of 31 for 109 yards with one TD, a four-yard pass to sophomore Marshaun Thornton late in the fourth quarter.

“[Winning the state title] is special,” Dowling said. “And it is all because of [Lynch]. He’s the best coach in the country.”

Senior Jamari Brown had seven catches for 56 yards for the Caravan.

Oswego quarterback Drew Kleinhans was 10 for 29 for 107 yards with one interception. He had eight carries for 23 yards.

Senior Teddy Mannikas had four catches for 43 yards for the Panthers (11-3).

“I was extremely proud of the defense,” Oswego coach Brian Cooney said. “Holding at bay the size that they have was going to be something that we knew we had to deal with. Our guys are not afraid to lock horns with anyone.

“This team is going to mean a lot to the schoool and the community. The parents at Oswego are one of a kind.”

It’s the fifth state title for Mount Carmel since Jordan Lynch took over in 2019 and completes a four-peat. The Caravan won the Class 7A state title the last three seasons. Loyola and Nazareth were both attempting four-peats this season, but didn’t pull it off.

“Four in a row,” Lynch said. “It is hard to win. And it is not common to do four in a row. But it is the second time in Mount Carmel history we have done it. These guys put in a lot of hard work and sacrifice and they deserve it all.”