Caravan recovers to down St. Patrick

The star Mount Carmel junior running back Matt Domer scored touchdown runs of 16 and four yards that helped the Caravan overcome a 6-0 St. Patrick advantage. “We needed that explosion,” Domer said. He rushed for 112 yards on 11 carries. His 33-yard kickoff return set up another Mount Carmel touchdown. The moment

Junior cornerback Christian Searles tackled Shamrocks’ receiver Steve Galiardo at the one-yard line on fourth-and-goal that prevented St. Patrick from extending its early lead. “I just planted and made a play on the ball,” Searles said. “It really changed the momentum of the game.” He also recorded an interception.

The quote

“[Mount Carmel senior] Don Butkus is a great quarterback who always makes the right read. He reads the other team’s defense like a book.” — Domer

The breakdown

Butkus converted 6 of 9 passes for 109 yards and a seven-yard touchdown pass to Dominic Villa, but No. 5 Mount Carmel (1-0) only attempted three passes in the second half. “We wanted to posses the ball and keep the clock running,” coach Frank Lenti said. Senior Draco Smith totaled 92 of his 101 rushing yards in the second half. Octavio Renteria threw touchdown passes of 25 and 24 yards for the Shamrocks (0-1).