Mount Carmel shuts down Willowbrook, punches ticket to DeKalb

Willowbrook quarterback Sam Tumilty produced nearly 4,000 yards of offense and scored 41 touchdowns in the 12 games before the Class 7A state semifinal Saturday against Mount Carmel.

Tumilty’s massive output led the Warriors to the semis for the first time since 1975. But the dream season met a harsh end as Willowbrook was unable to handle the Caravan’s defense.

Mount Carmel beat the Warriors 27-6 and will make its 18th appearance in the state title game next Saturday in DeKalb.

Willowbrook (12-1) drove all the way to the Caravan 1 on its first drive, but Tumilty was stopped short of the end zone on fourth-and-goal. Mount Carmel quarterback Justin Lynch connected with Jaali Parker for a 99-yard touchdown pass on the next play. It was the Caravan’s first offensive play, and it shocked the crowd in Villa Park.

“[Mount Carmel] did a really good job up front,” Willowbrook coach Nick Hildreth said. “We were in spots to complete passes, but you have to have time to see those things. After that first drive, we were never clean in our tempo and in our efficiency offensively to get things moving. It was all kinda chopped up.”

Tumilty’s style is very similar to Lynch’s. That played right into the Caravan’s hands.

“We put Justin in [Tumilty’s spot in practice] so we could get ready for him,” Mount Carmel linebacker Jason Thompson said. “I knew we were prepared for [Tumilty].”

Thompson had two sacks for the Caravan (13-0).

“We just watch film a lot,” Thompson said. “I think that’s what we do best. We try to figure the team out as much as we can. I trust my defensive guys; there is a lot of trust on the defensive side of the ball. We just fly around and try to play fast. Even if we mess up, if we go 100 percent, I don’t think anyone can stop our defense.”

Willowbrook’s Everett Stubblefield (3) catches the ball during warmups before the game against Mount Carmel. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Willowbrook coach Nick Hildreth checks his play book before the game against Mount Carmel. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Willowbrook’s Sam Tumilty (6) fakes a handoff with Everett Stubblefield (3) against Mount Carmel. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Willowbrook’s Sam Tumilty (6) looks to pass the ball against Mount Carmel. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Mount Carmel’s Jaali Parker (19) catches a pass and runs to score a touchdown against Willowbrook. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Mount Carmel’s Austin Maciel-Haygood (30) looks on after a defensive play against Willowbrook. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Willowbrook’s Sam Tumilty (6) scores a touchdown against Mount Carmel. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Willowbrook’s Sam Tumilty (6) returns to his team after scoring touchdown against Mount Carmel. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Mount Carmel’s Justin Lynch (1) hurdles Willowbrook’s Sam Tumilty (6). | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Mount Carmel’s Austin Maciel-Haygood (30) runs to defend against Willowbrook. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Mount Carmel’s Jalen Grant (77) holds of Willowbrook’s offense. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Mount Carmel’s Jalen Grant (77) keeps his eye on Willowbrook’s offense. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Mount Carmel’s Kenenna Odeluga (36) runs the ball against Willowbrook. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Mount Carmel’s Kenenna Odeluga (36) evades Willowbrook’s defense. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Mount Carmel’s Jeremy Moriarty (33) recovers the ball after a fumble during the game against Willowbrook. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Mount Carmel’s Kyheim Schooler (18) runs the ball against Willowbrook. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Mount Carmel’s Justin Lynch (1) runs the ball against Willowbrook. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Mount Carmel’s Kenenna Odeluga (36) is taken down inches from the goal line by Willowbrook’s defense. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Mount Carmel’s Tony Livermore (27) escapes a tackle attempt by Willowbrook’s defense. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Mount Carmel’s Kenenna Odeluga (36) scores a touchdown against Willowbrook. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Mount Carmel’s Kenenna Odeluga (36) celebrates with Jeremy Moriarty (33) and Tony Livermore (27) after scoring a touchdown against Willowbrook. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch looks on during the game against Willowbrook. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

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The Warriors’ touchdown came on a three-yard run by Tumilty early in the second quarter. Tumilty had 17 carries for 74 yards and was 13-for-25 passing for 152 yards with two interceptions.

“Our whole philosophy is to make a 17-year-old kid go 18 plays and make a mistake,” Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch said. “[Defensive coordinator Dave Lenti] has been doing that for years and does a great job.”

The Caravan sucked up the clock with long drives behind junior running back Kenenna Odeluga, who had 29 carries for 168 yards and two touchdowns. He plays linebacker, too, and had one of Mount Carmel’s five sacks.

“I’m young, I’m not tired at all,” Odeluga said. “I could have 50 carries, especially when we’re gaining yards like that.”

Lynch was 14-for-24 for 211 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception for Mount Carmel.

The Caravan will make their first title-game appearance since 2013. They lost to Lake Zurich in the semifinals in 2017 and to St. Charles North in the semis last season. They’ll have their hands full with undefeated Nazareth, which knocked off Rolling Meadows 42-14.

“Willowbrook fought hard, they are tough kids and the quarterback is a hell of a player,” Jordan Lynch said. “Our lines played well, and eventually we kept wearing them out. The kids have worked hard. I don’t want to downplay anything, but we have one more game to go, and we are up against a tough team.”