Mount Carmel beats Joliet Catholic on a miracle play

Joliet Catholic students cheer on the team during Sunday's game against Mount Carmel at Soldier Field.
Photo By Corey R. Minkanic/Staff Photographer

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Mount Carmel and Joliet Catholic played a classic Sunday at Soldier Field. In a game that featured two of the most storied high school football programs in the state, this one will forever live in Caravan lore.

``This was a game for the ages,’’ Caravan coach Frank Lenti said. ``How can you ask for a better game on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.’’

The Caravan (1-0) were dominated throughout the second half by Joliet Catholic but came out on top 21-20 thanks to a flea-flicker with a bounce that looked bound to fail miserably when it first started. The Caravan was on its own 20, trailing 20-14 with not timeouts and hadn’t gained a first down in the entire second half.

Quarterback Jordan Lynch threw an errant pitch to running back Tim Brown in the left flat that hit the turf and bounced around. Brown hurriedly picked the ball up and heaved it down the sideline before a Hilltoppers defender knocked him off his feet. The ball found K.C. Picard at the 30 yard line and the wide receiver took off down the sideline with no Joliet Catholic (0-1) defender in sight for the game winning touchdown with 1:39 left to play.

``I was kidding someone that we designed the play so that the ball was supposed to bounce right [to Brown] instead of left,’’ Lenti said. ``Both teams played outstanding. We won this game. Joliet Catholic did not lose it.’’

``I was thinking ‘oh no’ when the play started,’’ Brown said. ``I didn’t see the receiver. I just threw it to where I thought he would be.’’

``When Timmy picked it up, I knew the ball was still live,’’ Picard said. ``I just ran as fast as I could when I caught it.’’

Not including the game winning touchdown pass, Joliet Catholic outgained Carmel 183 yard to 16 in the second half.. Tyler Hudetz put the Hillmen on top with a four yard run for a 20-14 lead midway through the fourth quarter. It was his second touchdown of the game.

Connor Krisch led the Hilltoppers with 92 yards on 18 carries and a six yard touchdown in the first half.

The Caravan led 7-0 after Lynch found Justin Bracken on a fade pattern for a 10 yard score with 8:40 left in the first half. The play was set up by Dan Coci’s 14 yard interception return on the play before the touchdown.

Mount Carmel took a 14-6 lead on a Byron Stanford three yard run near the end of the first half.