Game Preview: Loyola Academy vs Mount Carmel

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>Wilmette, IL</strong> </strong>- This week, we have a game of giants that is sure to be a battle with the Caravan of Mount Carmel traveling north to take on the Ramblers of Loyola Academy. This contest will be one for the conference championship as these two historical programs come into this game with not a single blemish on their record; both are sitting at 8-0 on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>Loyola Ramblers</strong> </strong>- This Loyola team is a unit whose explosive offense is the catalyst in front of the charge. This offense has been putting up numbers all year, with their average score being 44 points per game. So, and I do not say this lightly, the Loyola Ramblers will be a handful for the Mount Carmel defense with their senior quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='135826' first='Jake' last='Stearney'], at the helm. Jake is a dual-threat quarterback who is elusive on his feet and can throw it tight and accurately simultaneously. Stearney has many options to whom he can get the ball, all of which pose a severe threat to opposing defenses due to their size and ability to make plays on the field. However, to spotlight a few, there is a quick, speedy, and agile running back in junior Will Nimesheim that will scorn a defense by slicing through. Then there is senior receiver Spencer Leadbetter, a crisp route runner with a proven record of leaving defensive backs lost in coverage off of the ball, which leads to him being an open receiver for the deep pass, a defense's nightmare.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the defensive side of the ball, the Ramblers are led by senior defensive lineman Brooks Bar, who will be off to play for the Michigan Wolverines next year. Brooks is a 6'6" big man that can play anywhere on the line with great reaching and can split double teams down the middle. This defensive unit for the Ramblers is playing spectacular ball this year and holding opposing teams to minimal points, with their biggest letup being 22 points. However, they will have their toughest matchup of the year going against an amazing offense from Mount Carmel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mount Carmel Caravan</strong> - This Mount Carmel team is another squad that puts up a boatload of points per game and is coming off of their highest-scoring game of the year, where they put up 60 points. So, it's safe to say that they would like to keep that train rolling in Wilmette. The Caravan offense is led by junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='148856' first='Darrion' last='Dupree']. Darrion is a back that will shake you out of your shoes and then beat you to the end zone; he is a nasty back with the ball in his hands. [player_tooltip player_id='267196' first='Blainey' last='Dowling'] is the young man coordinating the offense from the quarterback position, a senior QB that keeps his eyes deep under distress and will wisely step up in the pocket as it collapses. If the pocket squeezes in too far, Blainey is fully capable of tucking the ball and getting loose on defenses. This offense from Mount Carmel is fit to make a showing in the battle this Saturday with the Ramblers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side of the ball, the Caravan defense is playing lights-out football on the season by only letting up a total of 48 points after eight games. In half of those games, the Caravan defense forced shutouts. This is the kind of defense that allows a team's offense to play freely, which is clearly the case with the Caravan football team. This Mount Carmel defense is a stout linebacking core, with OLB Danny Novices playing a prominent role in the success of the Caravan's defense this year. Danny is a downhill backer with elite coverage skills who gets his nose in every play. I expect to see Danny continuing this level of play come Saturday in Wilmette.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview </strong>- I will not be shocked to see this game come down to the wire, but if it does, I believe that the stout defense of Mount Carmel will be too much for the Ramblers of Loyola academy to overcome. I have this game finishing at 35-28, with the Caravan securing the win, conference championship, and undefeated regular season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->