Week 4 Football Preview

LOYOLA RAMBLERS (2-1) vs. MOUNT CARMEL CARAVAN (3-0)

7:30 p.m, Friday, September 20 at Carey Field in Chicago

 

Mount Carmel live-stream: mchs.org/caravan-broadcast-network

 Twitter: @LAGoRamblers

 
TEAM FACTS

 

Head Coach: John Holecek, 14th season (146-30)

 

Captains: Luke Desherow, sr., Christo Kelly, sr., Matthew Mangan, sr., Jack Nimesheim, sr.

 

Conference: Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference Blue

 

2018: 11-3, 2-2 Chicago Catholic Blue, Class 8A state champions

 

 

Head Coach: Jordan Lynch, 2nd season (11-2)

 

Conference: Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference Blue

 

2018: 11-2, 4-0 Chicago Catholic Green, Class 7A state semifinalist

 

 

 LOYOLA RAMBLERS (2-1)

 

L St. Ignatius (Cleveland, Ohio) 27-10

W New Trier 34-3

W St. Rita 24-7

September 20 at MOUNT CARMEL, 7:30 p.m.

September 27 at St. Ignatius, 7:30 p.m.

October 5 vs. Brother Rice, 1:30 p.m.

October 12 vs. Benet, 1:30 p.m.

October 18 at Marian Central, 7 p.m.

October 26 vs. Marist, 1 p.m.

 

 

W 42-0 Calumet Tech (Gary, Indiana)

W 21-7 Maine South

W 27-20 Montini

September 20 vs. LOYOLA, 7:30 p.m.

September 27 at Marmion Academy, 7:30 p.m.

October 4 at Marist, 8 p.m.

October 11 vs. De La Salle, 7 p.m.

October 18 at Saint Viator, 7:30 p.m.

October 25 vs. Brother Rice, 7:30 p.m.

 

 

 

Vaughn Pemberton Jr. RB

 

He had a breakout game Saturday in the team’s 24-7 win over St. Rita by rushing 17 times for 120 yards and two touchdowns. He leads the Ramblers in rushing yards (173) and rushing TDs (3).

 

Artis Benjamin Jr. CB

 

The rangy defensive back forced a fumble on the first play of the fourth quarter Saturday that led to a Loyola touchdown. It was one of three takeaways by the Ramblers. 

 

 

James Kyle So. TE

 

A rare sophomore starter, the 6-5, 220-pounder caught his first TD of the season. He finished with two receptions for five yards and has three catches for eight yards this year. 

 

Daniel Naselli Jr. LB

 

The first-year starter had five tackles, one sack and forced one fumble in Week 3. His 26 tackles are tied for most on the team. 

 

Nate Van Zelst Jr. K/P

 

Connected on a career-long 49-yard field goal Saturday to give the Ramblers the go-ahead points in their 24-7 win. 

 

Omaru Konneh Jr. DL

 

Part of a new-look defense, the 6-2, 213-pounder made an impact against St. Rita with three quarterback hurries and one tackle for loss. 

 

 

 

 

Jack Gilbert Sr. WR

 

At 6-3 and 190 pounds, Gilbert is a big receiving target. 

 

 

Jalen Grant Sr. OL

 

The 6-3, 297 pound offensive guard has generated five Division I offers. He’s helped the Caravan become a threat in both the passing and running games. He also plays defensive tackle. 

 

Tony Livermore Sr. WR

 

One of the team’s top playmakers, the speedy Livermore caught seven balls for 101 yards in Friday’s 27-20 win over Montini. 

 

Justin Lynch Jr. QB

 

In his first season as the starter, the 6-0, 180-pounder has been impressive. Last week, he went 14-for-21 for 155 yards and two TDs and ran for 112 yards and one TD. 

 

Lance Swain Sr. LB

 

The 6-0, 215-pounder is a leader in the middle of the defense.

 

 

 

 

 

2018 — Mount Carmel 17, Ramblers 12

2017 — Ramblers 31, Mount Carmel 7

2016 — Ramblers 35, Mount Carmel 28

2015 — Ramblers 49, Mount Carmel 21

2014 — Mount Carmel 10, Ramblers 7

2013 — Ramblers 24, Mount Carmel 17

2012 — Ramblers 30, Mount Carmel 27 (OT)

2011 — Ramblers 12, Mount Carmel 7

2010 — Mount Carmel 31, Ramblers 24 (OT)

2009 — Ramblers 24, Mount Carmel 7 (IHSA Class 8A playoffs)

2009 — Ramblers 28, Mount Carmel 15

2008 — Mount Carmel 35, Ramblers 14

2007 — Mount Carmel 31, Ramblers 24

2006 — Mount Carmel 32, Ramblers 14

 

 

BY THE NUMBERS 

 

3 — Ramblers running backs with more than 20 rushing attempts and 100 rushing yards. Senior Trevor Cabanban (22-101), junior Vaughn Pemberton (26-173) and sophomore Marco Maldonado (23-135) have been fixtures in the ground game. 

 

4 — Loyola turnovers last year in a 17-12 loss to Mount Carmel. Even though the Ramblers outgained the Caravan 342-194, they couldn’t overcome giving away the ball that many times.  

 

6.7 — Average yards per carry for Loyola’s leading rusher junior running back Vaughn Pemberton.

 

7 — Takeaways by Loyola defense in three games. The Ramblers had three against St. Rita. 

 

12 — IHSA State Titles won by Mount Carmel, ranking the school second in state history behind East St. Louis, which has 14. Longtime Mount Carmel head coach Frank Lento led the Caravan to 11 state championships and five runner-up finishes in his 34 seasons. He stepped down after the 2017 season.

 

 

As usual, this will be a heavyweight fight between the Ramblers and Mount Carmel. The Caravan are ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press’ Class 7A poll, while Loyola is No. 3 in the Class 8A rankings. ... The Ramblers defense had its best performance of the season in a 24-7 win over St. Rita. They slowed down one of the most talented running backs in the state in sophomore Kaleb Brown (16 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD) and turned the tide by forcing three turnovers in the fourth quarter. Loyola held the Mustangs scoreless for the last 38 minutes of the game. Senior linebacker Anthony Kozlowski (10 tackles), senior defensive lineman Luke Desherow (4 tackles, 3 quarterback hurries, 1 fumble recovery), senior cornerback Daniel O’Flaherty (6 tackles, 1 interception) and junior cornerback Artis Benjamin (4 tackles, 1 forced fumble) played key roles. With its three takeaways, Loyola is plus-3 in turnover margin, a hallmark of Head Coach John Holecek’s defenses. ... It’s no surprise when someone from Our Lady of Perpetual Help plays quarterback for the Ramblers. After all, five graduates of the Glenview grammar school have started opening week for Loyola since 2012. Although junior JT Thomas didn’t win the starting job in the offseason, he’s played in the last two games. On Saturday, he entered the game for the third series, taking over for junior Perrion McClinton. Thomas led the Ramblers on a 10-play, 48-yard drive that ended in a blocked field goal. After the Ramblers got the ball back, Thomas returned to the field and marched the offense down the field for a touchdown. The 11-play possession concluded with junior running back Vaughn Pemberton’s 1-yard run on fourth-and-goal from the 1 to tie the score at 7-all with 4:45 remaining in the second quarter. ... Since 2010, seven of the nine games have been decided by seven points or less, including two that went to overtime. In close games, it’s valuable to have a kicker who’s not only reliable but a strength. Loyola is blessed with junior Nate Van Zelst, who was selected to MaxPreps’ national preseason All-American first team. Mount Carmel has a good one in junior Julian Patino. He kicked field goals of 27 and 37 yards in the fourth quarter of Friday’s 27-20 win over Montini. ... Junior quarterback and first-year starter Justin Lynch is the leader of the offense. The 6-0, 180-pounder already is attracting interest from Division I programs. He’s the younger brother of Mount Carmel Head Coach Jordan Lynch, a 2009 graduate who enjoyed a legendary career at quarterback for the Caravan. Jordan went on to become a record-setting quarterback and 2013 Heisman Trophy finalist at Northern Illinois University. After a brief professional career, he retired in 2017 to start his coaching career. Since replacing 11-time state champion Frank Lenti, Jordan is 14-2 at the helm. The Caravan’s two losses were a 21-13 defeat to Maine South in his second game and a 27-21 (2 OT) defeat to St. Charles North in the IHSA Class 7A state semis. ... Loyola’s 17-12 loss to Mount Carmel last season was the first of three in four games for the Ramblers. Despite four turnovers and trailing 11 with less than five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, they still had a chance to win. But Loyola couldn’t get into the end zone from the 4-yard-line with 3.0 seconds left to snap a three-game winning streak over the Caravan. It was Loyola’s first loss at home since a 27-24 defeat to Glenbard North in the Class 8A state semifinals November 17, 2012. ... Opened in 1924, Mount Carmel finally has its first true home football facility. After years playing at Gately Stadium, Carey Field at Barda-Dowling Stadium is hosting games on campus. The seating capacity is 2,200. ... After last week’s win over St. Rita, Holecek is 41-14 in seasons against Brother Rice, Mount Carmel, Providence Catholic and the Mustangs. 

 

 

“I know they are a hard-hitting team, and it will be a hard-fought game. I hope we will be ready for it. I know it’s going to be fun.” — Loyola junior running back Vaughn Pemberton