Mt. Carmel 4-Peats Winning 8A Championship

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mt. Carmel went from the beginning of the season as one of the most hyped teams ever to completing a perfect 14-0 campaign and 4-Peat on Wednesday night.&nbsp; See how it all went down in our prospect and game recap!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Igwebuike Shows All-Around Game as 2027 Elite Linebacker</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On a defense with so many stars it was [player_tooltip player_id='1598821' first='Roman' last='Igwebuike'] who shined the most.&nbsp; The 2027 linebacker is a top 10 prospect and the #1 linebacker in the state.&nbsp; What makes him special was on full display in this game as he runs so well sideline to sideline against the run, can get pressure after the quarterback, and is mobile in coverage as he got a big pick.&nbsp; Showcased a complete game as he had 7 tackles, 0.5 TFL, and 1 interception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Group of 5 Schools Need to See What Brown Can Do for Them</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Burrell and Thornton get most of the pub the senior wide receiver for Mt. Carmel [player_tooltip player_id='401609' first='Jamari' last='Brown'] stepped up in the state title game.&nbsp; They couldn't get much vertically down the field so they decided to get the ball in Brown's hands to see what he could do on bubble screens and short passes.&nbsp; Get it in his hands and let him work and that he did.&nbsp; Juked defenders one after another showing his short area quickness and elusiveness.&nbsp; Helped move the chains on a number of occasions.&nbsp; Still uncommitted, Group of 5 programs should be all over him especially if he lasts until the late signing period in February.&nbsp; Went for 7 catches for 56 yards including 51 yards of YAC.&nbsp; The only passing touchdown of the game came on a throw from quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='2061115' first='Emmett' last='Dowling'] to 2028 star [player_tooltip player_id='1659180' first='Marshaun' last='Thornton'] on a fade route late in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blocked Punt Flips Momentum Early in 3rd Quarter</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oswego went into the half only down three points.&nbsp; They had the momentum after playing an almost perfect half defensively and in the kicking game.&nbsp; That was until a punt was blocked by the Caravan's Cullen Winters and bounced right to [player_tooltip player_id='1578949' first='Gavin' last='Conjar'] who ran it in for a touchdown.&nbsp; It went from 7-3 to 14-3 after an [player_tooltip player_id='2061115' first='Emmett' last='Dowling'] two point conversion.&nbsp; Yes still technically a 11 point game, but it kind of took the life out of the game for Oswego as it was pretty much a stalemate from then on as Mt. Carmel's defense dominated.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mt. Carmel Caps Off Season as Clear Best Team in State</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Caravan won this game by cleaning up the mistakes they made in the first half, made a couple key plays, and shut down defense.&nbsp; It wasn't what the explosive show many expected as it was their lowest scoring game all year.&nbsp; They gutted it out.&nbsp; Won it a different way.&nbsp; That says a lot about this team. Yes they have stars all over the field, but in a game that was not their A game they still won by 17 in a state title game.&nbsp; Finish the year at 14-0 and were the clear best team in the state regardless of class from start to finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Velasco Among Best Values Still Left on Board in 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oswego star 2026 two way player [player_tooltip player_id='1358093' first='Mariano' last='Velasco'] recently jumped into the PRZ Top 500 in the senior class at #138 overall.&nbsp; As a defensive back he was always in the mix around the ball.&nbsp; Made several plays in the air downfield.&nbsp; Tackled well in space.&nbsp; Rangy and active defensive back.&nbsp; On the offensive side he is a versatile weapon that caught several passes as well.&nbsp; The defensive back at the next level should be getting significant interest from FCS programs heading into the end of the week and late signing period in February.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Major Credit to Oswego for Showing in State Title Game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Huge props to Oswego for making this one close for the majority of the game.&nbsp; They had a similar game plan as Fenwick did against East St. Louis which was win special teams and make fewer mistakes.&nbsp; Also limit the big plays.&nbsp; Outside of the blocked punt and interception they did a really solid job of that.&nbsp; I thought they held up well at the line of scrimmage against a ton of Power 4 offensive and defensive lineman.&nbsp; Defensively Cam&nbsp;Loghmani and Conor&nbsp;Tully led them in tackles as both were in double digits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->