Red Devils slow down Caravan, head to state

Mount Carmel's Brett Capjak (88) chases after Hinsdale Central's John Whitelaw.
(Jason Han/SouthtownStar)

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In 2002, Hinsdale Central’s John Whitelaw was the Red Devils ball boy. Now, the junior quarterback is the leader of a team headed for its first football state championship game.

A David Lutz field goal was the difference for the second week in a row as the Red Devils edged Mount Carmel 24-21 before an overflow crowd of more than 7,000 in a Class 8A semifinal Saturday night in Hinsdale.

The Red Devils will face unbeaten Maine South Saturday night in Champaign for the Class 8A title.

“I was sitting in the end zone and watched Lockport score the winning touchdown [in a state semifinal],” Whitelaw said. My brother [Andrew] was a defensive back on that team and he was here tonight. That game still comes up at family dinners.

“But two weeks in a row ... David Lutz is a stud.”

The winning drive was set up when Milton Greer fumbled a pitch and Allan Cameron recovered at the Hinsdale 41. The Red Devils (11-2) drove down to the Caravan 7 before Lutz booted the game-winner with 2:39 to play.

“This time, I was pretty confident,” Lutz said. “Last week, I was pretty nervous [for his 25-yard game-winning kick at Brother Rice]. This is the greatest feeling I’ve had in my life.”

“We may get down, but we’re never out of it,” Cameron said. “The defense knew that turnovers win games and we’re making history.”

Mount Carmel’s last drive ended when Cameron stopped Caravan quarterback Jordan Lynch on a fourth-and-one.

Hinsdale went up 21-7 on an 11-yard run by Whitelaw, who threw for 115 yards and ran for 65, with 8:10 to play in the third quarter. But the Caravan (10-3) scored on a 23-yard pass from Lynch (8-for-15, 140 yards) to Jack Sherlock. Then, Dan Coci scooped up a fumble and ran 47 yards for a score to tie the game.

“It wasn’t easy, but it isn’t supposed to be at this level,” Hinsdale Central coach Mike DiMatteo said. “We were playing against a team with all that tradition and the best coach [Frank Lenti] in the business. I don’t think a win can have more history than that. This is the biggest football moment this school has had.”

“It’s great to be the first Hinsdale team to do it, and we’re not through yet,” said Hinsdale running back Rich Zajeski, who had 21 carries for 78 yards. “Mount Carmel played a great game. It’s the school my grandpa played for so this means a lot to me.”

Mount Carmel took the opening kick and marched inside the Hinsdale 20, but Greer didn’t handle a pitch and Lutz recovered. After an exchange of punts, the Red Devils drove 60 yards for a touchdown with Whitelaw scoring from 20 yards out with 10:07 to play in the seconds quarter.

Mount Carmel’s next possession ended with a Brian Connor interception. But Hinsdale didn’t move the ball and a bad snap on a punt attempt resulted in Mount Carmel getting the ball at the Hinsdale 26. Four plays later, Greer scored from 11 yards out to tie the game at 7.