Mount Carmel Dominates Lincoln-Way East, Advances to Semifinals

UPDATE: Mount Carmel has just delivered a stunning performance, overwhelming Lincoln-Way East with a decisive 48-7 victory in the Class 8A semifinals, securing their place in the state championship matchup. Head coach Jordan Lynch acknowledged the team’s potential, stating they played nearly a complete game for the first time this season.

The Caravan, boasting a perfect record of 12-0, wasted no time showcasing their dominance. Within just three minutes of kickoff, running back Nathan Samuels opened the scoring with a 29-yard touchdown run. “Our whole week of practice has been 100,” Samuels said. “We executed and came out fighting.”

The game quickly revealed that Lincoln-Way East, with a record of 9-3, struggled to contain Mount Carmel’s formidable size and speed. Quarterback Jonas Williams faced relentless pressure, leading to a series of sacks that halted the Griffins’ momentum. Their first offensive drive ended prematurely near midfield, setting the tone for a challenging evening.

Despite a brief response from Lincoln-Way East—where Williams connected with Jayden Cawthorn for a 19-yard reception, making him the state’s all-time leader in career passing yards—the Griffins managed only one touchdown. They could not keep pace with the Caravan’s explosive offense, which scored 28 unanswered points before halftime to lead 42-7.

Mount Carmel’s quarterback Emmett Dowling was exceptional, completing 21 of 32 passes for 317 yards and four touchdowns, including a notable 59-yard strike to Jamari Brown. The Caravan amassed an impressive nearly 600 yards of total offense, leaving Lincoln-Way East struggling to respond.

The Griffins’ rushing game faltered, finishing with negative yardage. Williams ended his high school career with 178 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, reflecting on the tough loss: “It wasn’t the way we wanted to execute, for sure. You just got to take it on the chin.”

This defeat marks the fifth consecutive year Lincoln-Way East has been eliminated by a CCL/ESCC powerhouse, with coach Rob Zvonar crediting Mount Carmel’s elite performance: “They did everything right, and we just didn’t have an answer for that.”

Looking ahead, Mount Carmel will face Fremd (11-1) in the state semifinals next weekend. The exact date and time for this highly anticipated matchup have yet to be announced, but it promises to be a thrilling contest as the Caravan aims for a championship title.

Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming semifinals as Mount Carmel continues its pursuit of glory in the state championship!