MC going undefeated?

[Cross Bones]

Mount Carmel ain't losing to nobody. This is shaping up to be one of its best teams ever. And with Elliott at the helm, there could be a three-peat on top of the four-peat.

Rice will also have one its best teams, led by QB Brady Thomas and an attacking defense. Rice and ESL will make it interesting, but the outcome is predetermined, preordained

I had a few topics I wanted to bring up and was going to wait until some time in June to do it, but @Silver Rain opened up the can

I was thinking, The Caravan faces EStL week 1, New Jersey week 2, plus a Loyola with Holecek back, and 7A champs Rice, not to mention Naz.

The 8A favorites could be looking at 2, 3, 4 losses entering the post season and still be a favorite to take the title. Do the Caravan navigate this schedule unscathed?

 

[SiuCubFan8]

You didn’t hear “they ain’t losing to nobody”. Possible 50-peat.

 

[Cross Bones]

You didn’t hear “they ain’t losing to nobody”. Possible 50-peat.

I saw it but they're breaking in a new QB vs the Flyers, thats a tall order. New Jersey is gonna be tough as my understanding is that those top 6 or so privates are elite and experienced in these types of games. Some people feel Loyola let MC off the hook in the playoffs last year.

 

[PowerI66]

I saw it but they're breaking in a new QB vs the Flyers, thats a tall order. New Jersey is gonna be tough as my understanding is that those top 6 or so privates are elite and experienced in these types of games. Some people feel Loyola let MC off the hook in the playoffs last year.

Loyola could have had them back to back weeks. One of the only schools who were in a position to win against MC

 

[MC_Caravan]

In my humble opinion, my Caravan will have a much more difficult path to a perfect season than years prior but if one things for certain it’s that the Caravan has the potential to be perfect in 2026

 

[SiuCubFan8]

MC is obviously trying to go the route of the ESL model with national games (counting ESL as a national game). So IMO, going undefeated isn't the goal. The goal was to have as challenging OOC games they could find and win 8A.

 

[Colin2299]

MC will be the HEAVY 8a favorite as long as Lynch is there.

Hot take - I say this will be his last year at MC.

 

[LWN_Pheonix]

Owen Tree

Don’t sleep on Brother Rice

 

[Cross Bones]

MC is obviously trying to go the route of the ESL model with national games (counting ESL as a national game). So IMO, going undefeated isn't the goal. The goal was to have as challenging OOC games they could find and win 8A.

I think Lynch believes they can go undefeated with this schedule. It'll be interesting to see the types of games they get moving forward. Can they get one of the western privates on the schedule ie Bosco/Gorman or the TX publics.

Then 8A will still have Loyola. Plus a couple losses in the regular season could make the path more interesting.

 

[Colin2299]

I’ve never understood why top teams wouldn’t want to play other top teams in non-conference. If you’re LWE/Batavia/Oswego/Etc…don’t you want to play MC in week 1 or 2 and see how you match up? Have your kids see what the speed and size feels/looks like. It will only help you come playoff time.

Now with only needing 3 wins to make the playoffs…the non-conference schedules should be dynamite.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

I’ve never understood why top teams wouldn’t want to play other top teams in non-conference. If you’re LWE/Batavia/Oswego/Etc…don’t you want to play MC in week 1 or 2 and see how you match up? Have your kids see what the speed and size feels/looks like. It will only help you come playoff time.

Now with only needing 3 wins to make the playoffs…the non-conference schedules should be dynamite.

I give this year a pass on schedule since some might have already had things lined up but moving forward, yes I agree.

 

[4Afan]

I think Lynch believes they can go undefeated with this schedule. It'll be interesting to see the types of games they get moving forward. Can they get one of the western privates on the schedule ie Bosco/Gorman or the TX publics.

Then 8A will still have Loyola. Plus a couple losses in the regular season could make the path more interesting.

There was a post about this a few months back where I brought this up, but according to the MC faithful they would never be able to come up with the travel funds so MC will play anyone as long as they come here.

 

[crusader_of_90]

MC will play anyone as long as they come here.

Ew.

 

[Cross Bones]

There was a post about this a few months back where I brought this up, but according to the MC faithful they would never be able to come up with the travel funds so MC will play anyone as long as they come here.

Likely depends on the specific game. If its a game no one is interested in prolly will have to pony up. If they work with a promoter im sure some things are worked out. Im pretty certain MC would be able to travel.

 

[Spartanfball9]

If they wanted to travel, they would make it happen

 

[SiuCubFan8]

MC got a new '29 DE coming from H-F.

 

[Cross Bones]

MC got a new '29 DE coming from H-F.

McAlister, I think, is learning that its a little bit different having 8A talent and playing in 8A than having 8A talent but playing 4A. Where you can be a strong program and kids leave not just come.

 

[4Afan]

If they wanted to travel, they would make it happen

So then they've never wanted to travel anywhere outside of a bus trip?

 

[MC_Caravan]

I’ve never understood why top teams wouldn’t want to play other top teams in non-conference. If you’re LWE/Batavia/Oswego/Etc…don’t you want to play MC in week 1 or 2 and see how you match up? Have your kids see what the speed and size feels/looks like. It will only help you come playoff time.

Now with only needing 3 wins to make the playoffs…the non-conference schedules should be dynamite.

Personally, I think this is why you see a lot of public school teams highly ranked with an undefeated season but then get knocked out in the first couple rounds of the playoffs. Say Marist goes 0-3 in the CCL Blue this year, they’ll be more battle tested and likely have more success in the playoffs than some of those public school teams.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

Personally, I think this is why you see a lot of public school teams highly ranked with an undefeated season but then get knocked out in the first couple rounds of the playoffs. Say Marist goes 0-3 in the CCL Blue this year, they’ll be more battle tested and likely have more success in the playoffs than some of those public school teams.

So South Elgin tried this last 2 years, played Batavia and Barrington in non-con. Then got wacked by the first team with a pulse in playoffs.
Before that they would put up a nice record and get wacked the same way in playoffs.

 

[Cross Bones]

I’ve never understood why top teams wouldn’t want to play other top teams in non-conference. If you’re LWE/Batavia/Oswego/Etc…don’t you want to play MC in week 1 or 2 and see how you match up? Have your kids see what the speed and size feels/looks like. It will only help you come playoff time.

Now with only needing 3 wins to make the playoffs…the non-conference schedules should be dynamite.

Top teams do play other top teams. LWE literally just played Batavia in a home and home. Oswego recently had NV (who was solid until the past couple years), JCA, Geneva, Lincoln Way West. Batavia has had LWE, GBW, ESL.

Most top teams aren't filling their schedules with Gary Wirt (old heads know what Im talking about). Sure, some teams are playing Hoopeston, but thats a minority.

 

[Colin2299]

Top teams do play other top teams. LWE literally just played Batavia in a home and home. Oswego recently had NV (who was solid until the past couple years), JCA, Geneva, Lincoln Way West. Batavia has had LWE, GBW, ESL.

Most top teams aren't filling their schedules with Gary Wirt (old heads know what Im talking about). Sure, some teams are playing Hoopeston, but thats a minority.

My point is that it shouldn’t be hard for MC/ESL and others to find in state teams to play them.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

My point is that it shouldn’t be hard for MC/ESL and others to find in state teams to play them.

They found each other!

 

[McCaravan]

Here is my breakdown going into summer. For the second straight season MC will be breaking in a new QB. Last year Emmett Dowling came in with minimal experience but he was fortunate enough to have Quintin Burrell, Marshaun Thorton and Duran Sims to throw too. He had an outstanding season. This year MC has many capable QBs to chose from but the battle for this slot has yet to be decided. Whoever wins this position battle will also be blessed by having Quintin Burrell, Marshaun Thorton and Duran Sims to throw too once again. Add in Nathan Samuels at RB who has D1 offers and became a great receiver as well out of the backfield and it's almost unfair to have this many weapons at your disposal. Now last season Dowling had 4 OL returning. This year they have 1 so that might prevent a problem early as this unit develops but in my decades in following MC I've never been extremely worried about the OL or disappointed in their performance as a whole, but against ESL this could create a problem, but again with that arsenal of receivers one or more will be open and open quickly.

MCs real overall strength will be the defense. LB Roman Igwebuike, DL Caleb Tucker, and DB Tavares Harrington are all Nationally ranked. In addition they return their entire secondary from last season. They lost their 2 DEs but the ones this season I think will be better in Darin Graham and London Owens. Graham has Power 4 offers already. On the DL with Tucker you have returning DL Jeremy Harris who is 6'1 300 and Junior to be Emmanuel McMoore who is getting a lot of D1 offers and hasn't even played on Varsity yet but he's 6'4 250. Put it together and it's really an amazing defense top to bottom.

So based off what they have can they go undefeated? Absolutely, sure. Can they be beat? Absolutely, sure, they are teenagers. If there is a team out there that I think has the best chance to beat them it would be ESL as they have the secondary that has the best chance to contain MCs receivers. They also will test the new OL with a strong DL, and they have an incredibly talented team. I know nothing about this NJ team so I'm not sure how they match up. BR has an incredible amount of talent but also will have a new QB and have holes to fill on defense despite having two of the nations best in McGee and Parks. Loyola has talent, always do, I don't think their QB they are rumored to be going with anything great but I'm sure he will improve....but I thought the one who replaced him last year and also returns was a better leader. I don't think their secondary will be able to match up with MCs weapons. This all may change when they play each other but stay tuned. One chink in the armor last season was exposed during the State game....the offense did struggle in the cold. Granted that was uncharacteristic cold but the ball was traveling as well. Defense won them that game.

Going undefeated is great, winning State is better, so if they drop a game with their schedule then so be it, they are still the heavy odds on favorite to win #18 and that's what you want.

 

[McCaravan]

MC got a new '29 DE coming from H-F.

McCallister heavily benefited from players leaving MC to Phillips especially at the end of the Lenti era so if one of his leaves for MC I'll give the exact amount of F's that he gave when he benefited from his Philillips program getting MC players

 

[SiuCubFan8]

McCallister heavily benefited from players leaving MC to Phillips especially at the end of the Lenti era so if one of his leaves for MC I'll give the exact amount of F's that he gave when he benefited from his Philillips program getting MC players

Cool, I have zero opinion on it, just putting it out there since it broke today.

 

[McCaravan]

If they wanted to travel, they would make it happen

I was the one of brought up the challenges of MC traveling via plane to a destination to play a team that would require such travel. Here is a cliff notes version as my fingers and eyes are sore from my above breakdown post.

If a sponsor wants to flip the bill for this, giddy up. If a rich benefactor wants to write MC a blank check and say go play on me, the check will be cashed. Neither has happened yet. So MC has about 70-80 players. A large coaching staff, team managers, and essential school personnel you are looking at 115 round trip plane tickets. If you haven't flown lately, feel free to look at prices, they ain't cheap. Add in 2 nights in a hotel minimum, travel from the airport to the hotel and games for 2 to 3 days, meals....do the math...and for those not fimilar with the cost of running a Catholic school that's over a century old and receives no help from the City they don't have the money to write that check and fundraising and selling Double Good Popcorn won't make too much of a difference.....so again Sponsors are welcome, donations appreciated but if that ship doesn't come in then it's book the Greyhound bus!

 

[4Afan]

If they wanted to travel, they would make it happen

I was the one of brought up the challenges of MC traveling via plane to a destination to play a team that would require such travel. Here is a cliff notes version as my fingers and eyes are sore from my above breakdown post.

If a sponsor wants to flip the bill for this, giddy up. If a rich benefactor wants to write MC a blank check and say go play on me, the check will be cashed. Neither has happened yet. So MC has about 70-80 players. A large coaching staff, team managers, and essential school personnel you are looking at 115 round trip plane tickets. If you haven't flown lately, feel free to look at prices, they ain't cheap. Add in 2 nights in a hotel minimum, travel from the airport to the hotel and games for 2 to 3 days, meals....do the math...and for those not fimilar with the cost of running a Catholic school that's over a century old and receives no help from the City they don't have the money to write that check and fundraising and selling Double Good Popcorn won't make too much of a difference.....so again Sponsors are welcome, donations appreciated but if that ship doesn't come in then it's book the Greyhound bus!

Like I said, they ain't traveling.

 

[Cross Bones]

Personally, I think this is why you see a lot of public school teams highly ranked with an undefeated season but then get knocked out in the first couple rounds of the playoffs. Say Marist goes 0-3 in the CCL Blue this year, they’ll be more battle tested and likely have more success in the playoffs than some of those public school teams.

Has nothing to do with winning. Either you have the team or you dont.

 

[Topiarydan1]

I think MC wins 8A - however I think they lose a game this year on the road to a school a couple of miles west of MC with visitor stands that everyone loves

 

[Cross Bones]

I think MC wins 8A - however I think they lose a game this year on the road to a school a couple of miles west of MC with visitor stands that everyone loves

Interesting. Caravan falls to Rice on the road. What does Rice have that neutralizes that MC offense? How does Rice put points up?

Also, does Rice emerge from week 1 undefeated

 

[MC63]

Cool, I have zero opinion on it, just putting it out there since it broke today.

Where did it break? How did you find out? Thanks.

 

[Caravan92]

I was the one of brought up the challenges of MC traveling via plane to a destination to play a team that would require such travel. Here is a cliff notes version as my fingers and eyes are sore from my above breakdown post.

If a sponsor wants to flip the bill for this, giddy up. If a rich benefactor wants to write MC a blank check and say go play on me, the check will be cashed. Neither has happened yet. So MC has about 70-80 players. A large coaching staff, team managers, and essential school personnel you are looking at 115 round trip plane tickets. If you haven't flown lately, feel free to look at prices, they ain't cheap. Add in 2 nights in a hotel minimum, travel from the airport to the hotel and games for 2 to 3 days, meals....do the math...and for those not fimilar with the cost of running a Catholic school that's over a century old and receives no help from the City they don't have the money to write that check and fundraising and selling Double Good Popcorn won't make too much of a difference.....so again Sponsors are welcome, donations appreciated but if that ship doesn't come in then it's book the Greyhound bus!

To piggyback on your post, when I reached out after the state game I was told a trip to FL to play a certain team was 125k and that might not have been the total cost in the end. They thought California would have been even more. I may be wrong, but I’ve heard ESPN picks the travel costs for their televised games…

 

[Spartanfball9]

So then they've never wanted to travel anywhere outside of a bus trip?

I'm agreeing with you boss. You are correct

 

[crusader_of_90]

To I was told a trip to FL to play a certain team was 125k and that might not have been the total cost in the end.

But that was with the all-inclusive drinks package.

 

[4Afan]

But that was with the all-inclusive drinks package.

Yeah but I don't think it included any pre or post game excursions.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

Where did it break? How did you find out? Thanks.

Edgy re-tweeted it....