21. Mount Carmel (Chicago)Last season’s record: 12-1, lost in Class 8A semifinals
Coach: Frank Lenti
Key players: QB Jordan Lynch (6-1, 202, Sr.), DE Anthony Battle (6-3, 241, Sr.), DB Dimitrius Carr (6-2, 205, Sr.), LB Jeremy Johnson (6-1, 220, Sr.), RB/LB Byron Stanford (5-11, 200, Sr.)
Biggest strength: Experience, tradition
Question mark: Inexperienced in spots
Outlook: No surprise to see this team here. The Caravan almost always is among the preseason top teams in Illinois if not the entire country. Mount Carmel has won 10 state championships since 1980 and reached at least the state semifinals 17 times during the same period. Steering the ship again is Northern Illinois-bound quarterback Lynch. As a junior, he had 1,120 passing yards and 486 rushing yards and scored 24 total touchdowns. Look for Stanford to have a big year running the football after sharing carries last season and starting full-time at outside linebacker. Three Division I-caliber prospects are found on the Carvan defense. Strong safety Carr has great size and is a big hitter. Battle is developing into a top quality pass rusher. Johnson led the team in tackles last season playing along side highly touted Notre Dame recruit Steve Filer.
Toughest games: Sept. 12 at Providence Catholic, Sept. 19 at No. 93 St. Rita, Oct. 17 at Homewood-Flossmoor
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