CN100 Game of the Week preview: IHSA Football Quarterfinal - Lincoln-Way East vs. Mount Carmel

CHICAGO - This Class 7A quarterfinal features two teams that are no stranger to the postseason, but each found their way to this point in different ways.
Lincoln-Way East (10-1) heads to the city to face Mount Carmel (7-4) in a battle of state heavyweights Saturday at 1 p.m. in a game that will be broadcast by CN100 at Noon and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16. Visit cn100.tv for additional air times. You can also find the game throughout Chicagoland with Xfinity On Demand.
Mount Carmel is a two-time defending state champion, but after Week 6, a 2-4 record put the Caravan’s 28-year playoff streak in jeopardy. But the 11-time state champions rallied. Convincing wins over Leo and Hales preceded a 10-7 win over Loyola to just squeeze into the postseason.
Once there, the road was difficult. The Caravan had to travel to another defending state champion, Batavia, and managed a rugged 21-16 win to advance. Then they had to take the 10-hour round trip trek to Belleville West, coming home with a 24-6 win.
Even as the host, things get no easier. Lincoln-Way East has been a state power since it opened its doors, reaching the postseason in all 13 of its varsity seasons. The Griffins are winners of 10 straight after dropping the season opener to Oak Park-River Forest.
“Lincoln-Way East is a 10-1 team, and we are a 7-4 team,” said the state’s all-time winningest coach, Mount Carmel’s Frank Lenti. “That says it all. The storyline is pretty much set. They are a very, very good team and their record reflects that.”
The teams couldn’t be more different offensively. Lincoln-Way East starts a four-receiver set with no tight ends or fullbacks, just junior RB Liam Morrissey behind senior QB Mike Weller. Mount Carmel, meantime, runs a traditional set and rarely passes, averaging less than 10 attempts per game.
Morrissey carries the load for the Griffins, picking up an even 1,500 yards and 25 TDs on 283 carries. Weller’s been efficient, going 162-of-172 for 1,985 yards and 15 TDs, while adding 189 yards and five TDs on the ground.
Weller spreads it around in the pass game. Senior Paul Gossage leads the way with 54 catches for 755 yards and 5 TDs. Senior WR John Zelenika (44 catches, 528 yards, 4 TD) and senior WR Ken Alexa (32 catches, 354 yards, 2 TD) also figure prominently.
The Griffins’ strength on defense has been in the secondary. Junior Jayison McCorkle leads the team with 62 tackles, senior Deji Olaleye has 56 tackles and senior Kyle Keuch has four INTs. Junior DL Ben Christensen has seven sacks. Senior LBs Luke Epich (53 tackles, seven tackles for loss) and Brad Toepfer (four sacks, two INT) have been impact players.
A pair of Mount Carmel junior tailbacks spark the run game. Anthony Ries leads the team with 951 yards and nine TDs, with A.J. Lewis gaining 895 yards and 11 TDs. Junior QB Anthony Thompson has rushed for 284 yards and six TDs while throwing for 579 yards and five more scores. Junior WR Avery Saffold is the leading receiver with 18 catches for 235 yards and three TDs.
The Caravan is strong up front behind DTs Terrell Greer (13 TFL) and Kevin Thurmon (11 TFL). Linebackers Andrew Guerra (58) and Troy Weisenhoffer (47) lead the team in tackles.
- Paul Johnson, CN100 Correspondent
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