Mount Carmel opened last season as ‘‘the most talented team in Chicago history,’’ with eight major-college recruits. The most successful and controversial team in the state is even better this season.
The Caravan have five Power Four-committed players, another eight with Power Four scholarship offers and 19 future college players in all. Expect that number to grow as the season moves along.
That doesn’t even count the talented high school players the program is producing. Coach Jordan Lynch’s squad, which is ranked No. 1 in the preseason Super 25, has reloaded as it aims for a fifth consecutive state championship and a record 18th overall state title.
‘‘Last year was the first time in Mount Carmel history that we went undefeated as a program — 36-0,’’ Lynch said. ‘‘Our lower levels are good, and now we get that class in. This is more depth than we’ve had in the past.’’
Both lines are loaded with large, talented future college players. Senior Quentin Burrell (Michigan) and junior Marshaun Thornton might be the best wide-receiver duo in state history. Linebacker Roman Igwebuike (Notre Dame) and defensive back Tavares Harrington (Michigan) are the most battle-tested defensive stars in the area.
‘‘There should be no doubt about going 14-0 and winning [state],’’ Burrell said. ‘‘It would be the worst year we could have if we don’t do it.’’
The Caravan feature a new starting quarterback again, which appears to be the only possible weakness in their armor. Senior Ryder Startz, the backup last season, beat out Plainfield East transfer Brady Cloherty for the starting job. Talented sophomore Thomas Elliott also is waiting in the wings.
‘‘There was a healthy quarterback competition in July,’’ Lynch said. ‘‘Brady has done a great job and had a great attitude. He is still learning and adjusting to Mount Carmel, to a new offense and what Catholic League football is about. He has kept a great mindset, competing and working every day. You never know. He is one play away.’’
Lynch said he is impressed with Startz’s decision-making and speed.
‘‘He does a good job, and we have tons of playmakers around him to help him,’’ Lynch said. ‘‘So when he is going through his growing pains, they can get him out of trouble.’’
@michaelsobriensports Mount Carmel opens the season as No. 1 in the preseason Super 25. Michigan recruit Quentin Burrell is confident the Caravan will pull off a state title five-peat. #ihsa #football #mountcarmel #chicago #michigan ♬ original sound – michaelsobriensports
There won’t be much time for growing pains. The Caravan open at Illinois State against highly regarded East St. Louis, another team loaded with major-college talent, then face New Jersey power St. Joseph on ESPN in Week 2.
Mount Carmel has become the powerhouse team everyone loves to hate, and an IHSA practice-rule violation in early August set the drama in motion early.
‘‘The winning we’ve done comes with the hate,’’ Igwebuike said. ‘‘They are going to hate you, and then they will love you. We need to keep grinding and get this fifth state title. Pressure is a privilege. We’ve been speaking about that all offseason.’’
Every successful program keeps the intensity high in practice and on game day, but the overall mood around Mount Carmel in the preseason feels the same as it has the last several years. Lynch keeps things casual, joking with the players lounging on the couch in his office before practice.
‘‘People say if it isn’t broken, there is no reason to fix it,’’ Lynch said. ‘‘We believe if it is not broken, break it. There are always new things people are doing to try and beat you. People are studying Mount Carmel, and they are studying us year-round. We have to break it. We have to find a new way of doing things. That has been our approach.’’