Caravan's turn is over

Turnovers hurt Mount Carmel early. The third and last, which came late, proved fatal in a 24-21 loss to host Hinsdale Central in a Class 8A semifinal game Saturday night.

Having rallied from a 21-7 deficit into a tie, Mount Carmel was driving at the Hinsdale Central 42 with 7:39 left in the game when a pitch back from quarterback Jordan Lynch to Milton Greer was fumbled.

The Red Devils recovered, and with 2:39 remaining, David Lutz kicked what would be the game-winning field goal from 24 yards out.

Hinsdale Central (11-2) is to play either Bartlett or Maine South in the Class 8A state title game. Mount Carmel's season ended at 10-3.

"You know what? We haven't had three turnovers since the Providence game," Mount Carmel coach Frank Lenti said, referring to Week 3. "The last time Jordan threw an interception was the St Rita game (Week 4).

"The only thing I thought would get us was turnovers and penalties. Sure enough, that's what I thought got us tonight."

They sure killed some chances.

Mount Carmel saw an excellent opportunity to take the lead on its first possession go awry.

Byron Stanford did the bulk of the running, while Lynch completed three passes. The Caravan had a first-and-10 at the Hinsdale Central 11 when Lynch's pitch back to Stanford got away, and Lutz recovered for the Red Devils.

It was one of a few mistakes that would haunt Mount Carmel in the first half.

A defensive holding penalty negated what could have been a drive-stalling sack on Hinsdale Central's second possession. The Red Devils made the most of it, as quarterback John Whitelaw scored on a 20-yard run and Lutz booted the PAT to make it 7-0 with 10:07 remaining in the second period.

Another Mount Carmel scoring opportunity went by the wayside when Lynch threw an interception, but the Caravan caught a huge break with 5:14 remaining in the half, as a bad snap on a punt try by Hinsdale Central resulted in a change of possession at the Devils 26.

Greer took care of the rest, rushing three times to pay dirt, the last an 11-yard scamper with 3:18 showing. The PAT kick by Nikko Rodriguez tied the score at 7-7.

Just when it seemed as if the Caravan had some momentum, Hinsdale Central ripped it right back.

On the ensuing kickoff, Brian Connor picked up a rolling ball at his own 10, ran very nearly from the left sideline to the right sideline, then turned left and raced untouched 90 yards for a score.

Down 14-7, Mount Carmel made a valiant effort to score before the half, the big play a 50-yard bomb from Lynch to K.J. Picard. But on fourth down from the Red Devils 24, Lynch went for it all and had his pass to Picard in the end zone knocked away by Garrett Kawa.

Both teams scored on their first chances in the second half, Hinsdale Central on an 11-yard run by Whitelaw, and Mount Carmel on a 23-yard pass from Lynch to Jack Sherlock.

Then the Caravan made its own big break.

Hinsdale Central was driving at its own 47 when Mick Culligan lost possession of the ball on a running play. Dan Coci picked it up and ran untouched to the end zone as a flag fell on the field.

The call was offensive holding on Hinsdale Central, which was declined. The PAT kick by Rodriguez in front of a stunned crowd tied the score at 21-21.

Mount Carmel made a big defensive stand to get the ball back in good field position. But four plays into the drive, the last turnover would give Hinsdale Central a chance it wouldn't let get away.