DEKALB—Class 7A had the most pregame flash and sparkle. Michigan recruit JJ McCarthy and Nazareth’s load of Power Five prospects matched up against traditional powerhouse Mount Carmel and Justin Lynch, the brother of Heisman Trophy finalist Jordan Lynch.
Maybe it was the constant misty rain or the biting cold wind, but this wasn’t a game for flash. It was won in the trenches, where the Caravan dominated.
Mount Carmel rushed for 316 yards and held Nazareth to just 20 yards on the ground. The Caravan won 37-13 Saturday at Huskie Stadium to claim their 13th state title.
“I’ve been dreaming about this since I was born,” senior Tony Livermore said. “This is unbelievable. There is no better feeling than holding up that trophy like that.”
Mount Carmel’s run to the state title, at least offensively, was based on Lynch’s decision-making and Kenenna Odeluga’s ability to consistently gain yards on the ground. So it had to be alarming for Caravan fans to see Lynch have an interception returned for a touchdown on Mount Carmel’s first drive of the Class 7A state championship game.
That was basically the last mistake Lynch would make. The junior completed 6 of 8 passes for 87 yards and had 26 carries for 120 yards and five touchdowns.
Odeluga added 29 carries for 176 yards.
“We controlled up front for sure,” Jordan Lynch said. “We pride ourselves on running the football. No matter how many guys you put in the box or what you try to do you still have to stop it at the end of the day.”
McCarthy was sacked five times and finished 8-for-25 for 116 yards with one touchdown.
He wasn’t about to blame the weather: “I gotta be better, whether it is rain or a tornado.”
Mount Carmel (14-0) had Jordan Lynch playing scout team quarterback this week to help his defense prepare for McCarthy.
“When we came in we were prepared, we had a Heisman finalist practicing against our defense all week,” Livermore said. “It means a lot to coach Lynch to be in there with us. That’s the best coach in the state right there.”
The other key to stopping the Roadrunners’ high-powered offense was notice by Caravan defensive coordinator Dave Lenti.
“We knew all their receivers were fast and tall,” defensive back Marty O’Brien said. “They’ve been able to run free. We were able to disrupt their routes and mess up the timing they were used to the last couple games.”
Nazareth (13-1) has won three state titles in the past six years and will have a great chance again next season. McCarthy returns and standout receiver Tyler Morris is only a sophomore.
“We have to be better offensively, no matter what they throw at us,” McCarthy said. “They can bring an NFL defense out there. We have to learn how to control it and do our thing.”
