Saturday Takeaways: Mt. Carmel vs Belleville East

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your annual subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top seed in 8A Mt. Carmel traveled across the state and south to the metro east to play Belleville East.&nbsp; The Caravan lived up to the billing winning their second round game against the Lancers 48-29.&nbsp; We dive into the contest and prospects that impressed us in <strong>Saturday Takeaways: Mt. Carmel vs Belleville East</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Senior QB Dowling Spreads the Wealth to Plethora of Weapons</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a show put on by the Mt. Carmel passing game as senior quarterback Emmett Dowling had it rolling finding his array of weapons in the pass game.&nbsp; The 6'0” signal caller showed zip and accuracy on intermediate routes along with arm strength and touch deep.&nbsp; I like what he brings running the team and making the right plays consistently which is an underrated quality in QBs.&nbsp; Also is a very effective runner on designed runs along with extending plays with his legs.&nbsp; All four of the Caravan top pass catchers caught a touchdown in this game.&nbsp; Strong and athletic 2028 star [player_tooltip player_id='1659180' first='Marshaun' last='Thornton'] showed strong hands and crisp route running.&nbsp; Powerful with it after the catch as he took a bubble screen in from 6 yards out.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='432197' first='Quentin' last='Burrell'] is the premier wide receiver in the junior class.&nbsp; He showed precise route running throughout the game including a nice two yard touchdown coming out of the backfield on a quick route.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='401609' first='Jamari' last='Brown'] had a monster game.&nbsp; The senior pass catcher got behind the defense on a vertical route for a 48 yard touchdown.&nbsp; Does a nice job of keeping his feet in bounds on the perimeter.&nbsp; Also grabbed one from 1 yard out right before the half.&nbsp; Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1275281' first='Duran' last='Sims'] showed the power and burst.&nbsp; Impressed early catching a pass and blowing up a corner trying to tackle him.&nbsp; Later on he took a 48 yard slant to the house for a touchdown with breakaway speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 Running Back Samuels Continuing to Open Eyes Late in Season</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mt. Carmel continued to show a strong running game running behind their big boys up front including Nebraska commit [player_tooltip player_id='1417782' first='Claude' last='Mpouma'] at left tackle.&nbsp; Junior back [player_tooltip player_id='1335440' first='Nathan' last='Samuels'] has really helped his stock as a junior as he dashed for a 30 yard score along with powering one in from 1 yard out.&nbsp; Smooth runner that has nice vision and easy acceleration.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stars Shine at All Three Levels for Mt. Carmel Defense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The three stars up front did what they always do.&nbsp; Get after the QB and cause havoc up front.&nbsp; We saw USC commit [player_tooltip player_id='270192' first='Braeden' last='Jones'] coming off the edge for hurries and top uncommitted [player_tooltip player_id='1538329' first='Joey' last='Quinn'] using his power/speed combo to put pressure on the QB.&nbsp; Inside [player_tooltip player_id='1682021' first='Caleb' last='Tucker'] had a few massive plays for TFL along with a sack where he got to the passer up the middle.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1598821' first='Roman' last='Igwebuike'] is a long and rangy linebacker that runs with so much ease and tackles sideline to sideline along with on special teams.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1524594' first='Stephen' last='Winkler'] is just a baller.&nbsp; He is tough as nails at linebacker and produces.&nbsp; Senior captain [player_tooltip player_id='1578949' first='Gavin' last='Conjar'] was a monster as a OLB that projects best as a safety at the next level.&nbsp; He was consistently around the ball as a sound tackler, getting TFLs, and made plays on special teams.&nbsp; Had a sack on fourth down along with an interception being in the right spot as it bounced off a receiver.&nbsp; Star 2027 corner [player_tooltip player_id='476341' first='Tavares' last='Harrington'] used the sideline as his friend and is so fluid with his footwork.&nbsp; He had a big fumble recovery on a kickoff that set up a Caravan score.&nbsp; All the athletic tools you could look for in a young corner.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1335208' first='Isaac' last='Saldana'] is a well-rounded defensive back that is effective in coverage and tackling in space.&nbsp; Once again another nice game from 2027 defensive back Brandon Rogers Jr. who had a sweet interception and run back.&nbsp; Has big play ability on the back end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Willis Puts on a Two Way Show Elevating Stock in 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The most impressive Belleville East player on the day was easily 5'10” athlete CJ Willis.&nbsp; He is primed to make big noise in our next 2027 rankings update.&nbsp; On the offensive side Willis had a pair of touchdowns on the day including a TD on a bubble screen and then showing off his speed/athleticism/shake in the open field on a 46 yard touchdown score late in the game.&nbsp; Can catch the ball short and be slippery with it after.&nbsp; Makes acrobatic catches and tracks it well.&nbsp; Might end up projecting best on the defensive side with all his physical and athletic gifts.&nbsp; On that side the defensive back picked up a fumble and ran it in for a touchdown along with intercepting a pass over the middle of the field as a centerfielder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>More Lancer Prospects That Impressed</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We really liked what we saw this season from Josh Ware at running back.&nbsp; The 2027 back brings a nice combination of strength, speed, and vision as a back.&nbsp; He runs hard in between the tackles and continue to be impressed with the strides he has made as a pass catcher out of the backfield.&nbsp; Wide receiver/corner [player_tooltip player_id='1344621' first='James' last='Johnson'] is the top junior on the squad.&nbsp; At 6'3” he impacted in a major way on both sides.&nbsp; Offensively he had a deep catch over the shoulder along with showing good route running.&nbsp; He had back to back plays at corner where he absolutely lit up the Caravan receiver with massive hits showing physicality which could continue to elevate his stock on the defensive side.&nbsp; Cincinnati defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='801701' first='Jonathan' last='Rulo'] had a strong showing in his final high school game.&nbsp; Played on the end as a senior, but we feel he is going to be a game wrecker inside at defensive tackle.&nbsp; Utilized his quickness and strength to bring down defenders in the run game including a couple TFLs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->