CN100 Game of the Week preview: IHSA Playoffs First Round - Glenbard North vs. Mount Carmel

IHSA Playoffs First Round – Glenbard North vs. Mount Carmel
CHICAGO – The IHSA moved back to seeding the Class 7A and 8A brackets 1-32 this year, seemingly a more equitable way of determining a true champion.
Try telling that to Glenbard North and Mt. Carmel, two former Class 8A powers bumped down to Class 7A. They still wind up facing each other in the first round in a noon Saturday game that will be broadcast by CN100 at Noon and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. You can also see it HD throughout Chicago with Xfinity On Demand.
The winner of this game, arguably the toughest first-round matchup in the state, will likely face top-seeded Glenbard West in the second round.
Mt. Carmel (7-2, 2-2 Chicago Catholic Blue) won two straight state titles, the 11th and 12th in program history, before an 8-5 showing last year. The Caravan are right back in the mix again this year, with their only losses coming to Class 8A powers Brother Rice and Loyola. They also had a forfeit win over Hales.
The Caravan relies on its run game, but its top rusher is not listed on the depth chart after suffering a hip injury against Loyola last week. Senior AJ Ries leads a balanced attack with 440 yards and six touchdowns.
The rushing load will fall to senior AJ Lewis (387 yards, five touchdowns), senior Mike Kennedy (350 yards, five touchdowns) and sophomore Alek Thomas (195 yards, three touchdowns). Thomas has also added 14 catches for 171 yards and handles kick and punt return duties for Mt. Carmel.
Senior Anthony Thompson runs the show, tossing 63-for-97 for 709 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions. He’s also rushed for 178 yards and four scores. His top target in the pass game is 6-foot-4 senior Steve Wirtel, who has 20 catches for 228 yards and three touchdowns. Senior receiver Jake Lenti pulled in 17 catches for 218 yards and a touchdown.
The Caravan excels at linebacker. Senior Mark Mudd recorded 26 tackles for loss, while senior Patrick O’Shea contributed 44 tackles and fellow senior Andrew Guerra added 42 tackles, seven tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries. Junior Jordan Cousert picked up three interceptions. Up front, seniors Terrell Greer and Kevin Kurasz each have nine tackles for loss.
“Mt. Carmel has always been a strong team,” Glenbard North coach Ryan Wilkens said. “They run the ball well and play fast, aggressive defense. This is our first time in 7A and we’re playing an opponent that we’ve met before in 8A.”
After starting 0-2, Glenbard North (7-2, 6-2 DuPage Valley) rattled off seven straight wins, and weren’t challenged very often while doing it. The Panthers bounced back from a 4-5 season last year, a season which was preceded by 11 straight playoff appearances. Glenbard North has never won a state title, finishing second four times.
The Panthers do it on the ground, led by the tandem of Devion Hodges and Vittorio Tricase. Hodges rushed for 1,050 yards and nine touchdowns on 164 carries. He also caught a touchdown pass, returned a kickoff for a touchdown and picked off two passes on defense. Tricase has 1,021 yards and 12 touchdowns in 135 carries, adding four catches for 130 yards and a touchdown in the pass game.
Shane Conway triggers the attack, going 33-for-89 for 641 yards, with six touchdowns and interceptions. He’s also rushed for a score. Jace James paces the receivers with 23 catches for 401 yards and three TDs.
Greg Newsome (five INT), Tyrik Henderson (four INT) and James (three INT) lead the defense.
- Paul Johnson, CN100 Correspondent
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