By Ed Muniz-Photos by Jenn-Anne Gledhill
**Additional Photos are available for purchase on home page in photos.**
The Great American Rivalry Series, sponsored by the Marines, came to Mount Carmel in Chicago on August 26.
For Nearly 20 years, The Great American Rivalry Series has brought light to best rivalries in High School football.
Among the four games featured nationally to open the 2022 season, was the 100th clash between the Mount Carmel Caravan hosting the St. Rita Mustangs at Barda-Dowling Stadium.
The highly anticipated clash featured two highly ranked teams. The Caravan entered as the top team in the state at “7A” and possibly in any division, while the Mustangs were the 3rd ranked team in “7A”. The two teams are quite familiar with each other and players on both teams know each other, some even friends.
These two teams first met in 1924 with loyal fans of each school bleeding their respective colors. Familiarity makes for great Rivalries, and this is what two of Chicago’s finest have featured every year since.
No one will forget last years game. A potential game winning field goal attempt in the final minute by St. Riata was blocked, scooped up and returned 85-yards for the Caravan 16-9 victory.
The Mustangs are looking to avenge last years’ loss.
The series lead is held by Mount Carmel with a 66-to-33-win total. With several State titles between them.
Each team features some of the best players in the state with the large crowd in attendance creating a playoff-like atmosphere on both sidelines.
The over-flow crowd surrounded the playing field, and with the closeness of the crowd in proximity to the playing field, players had to be focused throughout the game.
Mount Carmel lived up to its ranking. A stifling defense and an air attack the guest couldn’t repel, the Caravan upped its win total in the series to 67 with the 35-3 dominant win behind a bigger, stronger Blainey Dowling and his 5 touchdown passes.
“I thought it went pretty well, that’s what we expected to do,” said Caravan Head Coach Jordan Lynch.
“The defense came out, swarmed to the ball and they kind of set the tempo for us. We started a little slow on offense, then Blainey Dowling got it going, Darrion Dupree got it going, kinda saw how they were playing us, and the rest is history.”
“St. Rita is a tough team, Coach Kuska is a tough coach, but we have high expectations over here, we know when we play our best brand of football what could happen.”
The First quarter started off slowly as both teams got their feet wet. Defense play was dominant in the first quarter by both teams.
Pat Farrell of Rita and Parker Startz of Mt. Carmel leading the way for each team. Each had a knack for being around the ball and either assisted on tackles or made the tackle outright.
Rita managed to take advantage of a stop by Farrell of Mt. Carmels’ Darrion Dupree after the Caravan elected to go for it on fourth down from their own 29.
But it didn’t turn out to be as big an advantage as desired. A penalty and a loss on their first attempt, saw the Mustangs moving the wrong way. Another stop by Startz gave the Mustang a fourth and long from their own 34-yard-line.
On stepped Alabama bound, St. Rita kicker’ Conor Talty who proceeded to boot a 51-yard field goal, giving the Mustangs the lead and points it would gain all game.
From there on, the Mustangs offense was limited to small gains and forced to use Talty several times as a punter.
A stingy, swarming, speedy defense by the Caravan gave next to nothing to the visitors as their offense began an onslaught through the air via the Blainey Dowling Air Show.
The Air Attack success could be credited to the Caravan running attack finding its rhythm.
On the ensuing play from scrimmage after the Mustang field goal, Alonzo Manning II took a pitch from Dowling and headed right, found a gap and raced 34 yards to kick start the offense
A series of runs by Manning II, Dupree, Dowling and Denny Furlong moved the ball deep into Mustang territory setting up a field goal attempt by Mt. Carmel kicker’ Louie Chappetto.
Trying to tie the game as the first quarter wound down, Chappetto’s 32-yard attempt had enough leg but the kick struck the right upright and kept the score at 3-0 after one.
Rita was looking to get its running game going and went to their “big back” DJ Stewart on its’ ensuing two plays. Stewart delivered 11-yards on two carries but a penalty and tackles by Manning II, Voneil Williams and Tavon Rice forced a punt to start the second quarter.
Mt Carmel’s running game was picking up yards in chunks now. Dupree flashed off 15 yards and two plays later, Dowling found Damarion Arrington for 37-yards and once again wide open for the 25-yard touchdown pass at 8:53 of the second quarter. Chappetto added the point after for a 7-3 lead.
The Mustangs couldn’t match the score and four plays later had to punt. Again, Startz was active and provided additional tackles to his stats. Danny Novickas also contributed to the quick turn-around as his offensive teammates returned to the field.
The Caravan extended their lead to 14-3 two plays into the next series and capped it off with a swing pass from Dowling to Furlong which turned into a 54-yard, far sideline romp, ending in the endzone. Chappetto again added the point after.
The Mustangs just couldn’t get to mid-field. Constant pressure and team speed limited every run and pass attempts wouldn’t find their target.
After another three-and-out, courtesy of Startz, Owen Schickel and Bobby Medina, Dowling connect with Darrion Gilliam consecutively, second going 52-yards and a 21 -3 lead with the point after kick at 3:26 left in the first half.
Quick scoring was putting the Mustangs in a hole they would never recover from, and it got worse.
Unable to maintain the control of the ball because of the defensive play of the Caravan, St. Rita punted which gave the host another opportunity to increase their lead.
Dowling was happy to oblige. Quickly moving their offense downfield behind Dowling’s arm. Mt. Carmel started from its own 17 and four play later was at the Mustang 12 downing the ball with 39 seconds remaining.
Pass completions to Jimmy Deacy for 22-yards, to Gilliam for five yards and to Furlong for 37-yards set up their final score of the half.
From the 12-yard-line, Dowling again found Arrington for the touchdown to conclude the 82-yard drive and a comfortable 28-3 lead.
St. Rita played hard throughout the game but were overmatched across the board. They couldn’t solve the Mt. Carmel defense and struggled with the mixture the Caravan offense brought.
Although playing much better in the second half, the Rita defense gave up one more score when Dowling completed his fifth touchdown pass of the game late in the third quarter.
The six-yard touchdown pass to Danyil Taylor Jr. followed by Chappettos’ fifth point-after, gave the Caravan a 35-3 lead they’d take to the final horn.
Some starters gave way to back-ups, which included Dowling after his stellar performance He gave way to highly touted sophomore, Jack Elliott, who also punted in the game.
“The biggest thing was going through this week and practicing the plays and all, Visualize the plays before you’re out there.,” said Mt. Carmel Quarterback Blainey Dowling.
“Our wideouts got open, that was huge, I wouldn’t be able to make those throws if those wideouts weren’t open, so that’s big. Once you get in the grove; you’re kind of going you know, a couple completions and once you start clicking, you don’t really stop.”
“We don’t win this game without the defense; defense was awesome and kept us in there.
The only thing Dowling complained about was not scoring more in a rivalry game, but he did state he only played three quarters.
Defensively, the Caravan had many stars but leading the pack was junior linebacker Parker Startz.
“I knew what I had to do this off season, last year I was on the varsity but just couldn’t get a hold and I had an injury so that’s why I put in a lot of hard work, every morning at 5:30 throughout the winter.”
Startz also added about the team.
“Obviously here it’s the Brotherhood, it’s Mount Carmel. Everybody is family, everybody is brother to me, if it wasn’t for everybody working together, putting in the work all summer and into practices, we wouldn’t be who folks know we are.”
“Going into the game I was locked, my favorite part is being physical, I’m out there to make a difference so I give it my all every play. I put in the work every day to get better and so do all of us.”
When asked about being number one ranked team, Coach Lynch added.
“Expectations are high around here, we’re use to that, we always say “Pressure is a Privilege”. These kids work hard, every one of them. Coaches gotta keep them levelheaded for sure but this team practices hard, these kids aren’t reading newspaper clips and since everybody is on social media, they aren’t worried about any of that. Next game mentality around here and we have a great group of Seniors that keep the team levelheaded also.”
Coach Lynch and staff have a talented group this year that is ready to take on anyone. They know they’re a talented, focused, cohesive team that could be hoisting another trophy come seasons end but will take one game at a time to prove their worth not just to onlookers but to themselves as well. Tradition means a lot to each member and Alumni. Family In, Family Out!
