Greer, defense save Caravan vs. Simeon

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A 22-yard touchdown run by Milton Greer with less than five minutes to play and a great last stand by the defense lifted Mount Carmel to a 19-14 victory over Simeon in a Class 8A opener Saturday night at Gately Stadium.

‘‘Our defense was awesome,’’ Mount Carmel coach Frank Lenti said. ‘‘They really stepped up. I don’t think we ran 20 plays in the first half and Simeon got one touchdown on a fumble. They were the higher seed and we are looking at this as an upset.’’

Simeon had taken a 14-13 lead, but the Caravan then powered 80 yards in six running plays for the winning score. Quarterback Chris Sujka ran 55 yards for the touchdown.

On the previous series, Simeon safety Delano Wicox picked up a fumble at the 14 and ran it in for a touchdown. Junior receiver Darius Scott went around end for a two-point conversion to give the Wolverines a 14-13 lead.

But the Caravan (7-3) came right back with their 12-play winning drive.

Then it was the defense’s turn. Simeon moved inside the Caravan 10 with seconds to play, but never got closer.

‘‘Chris Barcelona is the heart and soul of the defense,’’ defensive coordinator David Lenti said. ‘‘And we got great games from [linemen] Markell Brown and Nathan Ollie.’’

‘‘The defense had our backs,’’ Mount Carmel quarterback Chris Sujka said. ‘‘I think we’ve started to put it together on both sides of the line. Our defense played the best it has all year.’’

Mount Carmel had taken the early lead with a six-play drive, Milton Greer taking it the final four yards for a 6-0 lead.

After that, the Wolverines dominated play, scoring on an 11-yard run by quarterback Robert Gregory to tie the game at 6. The kick failed.

Simeon continued to threaten, but penalties stopped threats. Wilcox  recovered a fumble late in the half to give the Wolverines one more chance. But after a key third-down penalty, time ran out.

‘‘I told the kids they played well at Providence [last weekend], but just didn’t finish,’’ Frank Lenti said. ‘‘Tonight they had to finish and they did.’’

Mount Carmel beat Simeon 53-27 in the season-opening preseason Prep Bowl tripleheader at Soldier Field.