Butkus, Caravan cruise past Chargers

Playing in its second game ever on its turf practice field— and first time since 2008 — No. 4 Mount Carmel played like the same old Caravan that has dominated at Gately Stadium for years.

For the second week in a row the Caravan built a 40-plus halftime lead to initiate a second half running clock. Last week it was against De La Salle, this week it was against St. Joseph in a 58-0 nonconference win.

The Caravan (4-0) gears up for the start of Catholic League Blue play Friday on the road again Brother Rice.

“It’s awesome playing here and I wish we could do it more often,” said Caravan coach Frank Lenti, who added that Mount Carmel hopes to one day purchase the property to the South of the practice field and turn it into a stadium. “Today we needed to progress and get better. Our focus today was to throw the ball a little more and not grind their kids up.”

Senior quarterback Don Butkus answered the call, going 8-of-11 for 166 yards and three touchdowns. Draco Smith caught a 35-yard touchdown pass on the Caravan’s first play of the game. Butkus also tossed an eight-yard scoring strike to Buster Sheridan and a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jason Gasser.

From there, the second string ran the last two series of the half. They marched 55 yards on eight plays, ending with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Nadir Cornish from junior Marko Boricich.

“They did good and they work hard all week in practice and they are the ones who prep us and make us better,” said Butkus, who added a nine-yard touchdown run. “We have to keep going up hill and keep taking each step on the ladder.”

Matt Domer made the best of his one carry, going 28 yards for a score. Steven Richardson had two sacks for the Caravan. The Chargers drop to 0-4.