CN100 Game of the Week preview: Football Week 6 - Mount Carmel vs. Brother Rice

IHSA Football Week 6 – Mount Carmel vs. Brother Rice

CHICAGO – There’s no easy game in the state’s most rugged conference, the Chicago Catholic Blue, and this week is no exception.
The winningest coach in state history, Mt. Carmel’s Frank Lenti, leads the unbeaten Caravan against their old rivals from Brother Rice Friday night in a game that will be broadcast by CN100 at Noon and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6. You can also see it anytime in HD with Xfinity On Demand.
The Caravan has been dominant through five weeks, compiling a point differential of 180-28. They allowed two touchdowns each to Marist and St. Rita while pitching shutouts against DeLaSalle, Morgan Park and defending Class 7A state champion Providence.
Mt. Carmel does most of its damage on the ground. Senior A.J. Ries leads the team with 352 yards and four touchdowns, while senior A.J. Lewis has 310 yards and five scores. Junior backup tailback Mike Kennedy added 110 yards and two scores.
When the Caravan (5-0, 1-0) does go to the air, senior Anthony Thompson triggers the attack. He is an efficient 32-for-47 for 363 yards, with five touchdowns and three interceptions, while mixing in a rushing touchdown. His top target is 6-foot-4 senior Steve Wirtel, contributed 10 catches for 136 yards and three touchdowns so far this season. Senior Jake Lenti adds eight catches for 88 yards and a touchdown.
The line backing corps has been the backbone of Mt. Carmel’s defense. Senior Mark Mudd posted 18 tackles for loss in five games, while senior Patrick O’Shea leads the team with 27 tackles. Senior Andrew Guerra has 23 tackles, including seven tackles for loss.
“We need to control the line of scrimmage and take care of the ball,” Lenti said.
The Caravan will have their hands full with an explosive Brother Rice attack. The Crusaders (4-1, 1-0) were shut out by Loyola 28-0 in their only loss. In their four wins the Crusaders have scored 203 points.
Brother Rice has one of the most prolific passing attacks in the state, led by senior quarterback Cam Miller. He is 112-for-165 for 1,253 yards, with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. He’s even rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown.
Miller’s top target is dynamic junior receiver Ricky Smalling (31 catches for 483 yards and six touchdowns). Senior Julian Blain (31 catches, 287 yards, five touchdowns), senior Mike Kubil (21 catches, 196 yards, two touchdowns) and junior running back/receiver Brandon Houston (18 catches, 179 yards, two touchdowns) have also provided solid production in the passing game.
To keep defenses honest, the Crusaders rely on senior running back Clifton Taylor, who has 636 yards and five touchdowns in 91 carries. His backup, junior Xavian Valladay, adds 213 yards and four touchdowns to the mix.
Defensively, junior defensive Larry Washington has been very disruptive with 23 tackles for loss and three sacks. Like Mt. Carmel, Brother Rice is strong at linebacker. Seniors Bryan Boyd and Jack Nelligan have combined for 67 tackles, while Steve Robinson recorded three sacks. Junior defensive back Brian Olsen leads with three interceptions, while fellow junior Aaron Lacy has two picks.
“Brother Rice is a very good team and we have a lot of respect for them,” Lenti said. “This is a typical Chicago Catholic Blue matchup between two old rivals. We need to win this game to stay in contention for the Chicago Catholic Blue championship.”
- Paul Johnson, CN100 Correspondent

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