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Mount Carmel’s Lenti ties wins mark
Updated: September 11, 2011 7:55PM
When Mount Carmel celebrates, it is usually at the end of November. Friday night however was an exception.
With a 40-7 victory against De La Salle at Gately Stadium, Caravan coach Frank Lenti added another record to his 28-year career, tying former Richards coach Gary Korhonen for most wins in Illinois with 306.
“I haven’t thought about it,” said Lenti, who spoke with Korhonen “a couple of times” this week. “My concern was to get us to 3-0.”
Lenti can have the record all to himself next Saturday with a win at St. Joseph. Korhonen, who retired in 2007 after coaching Richards for 36 seasons, has 315 total wins, but nine of those were at the start of his career when he coached in Iowa.
“This is my 28th year,” Lenti said. “I never thought I would be doing it this long.”
Lenti is tied with former Providence coach Matt Senffner for most state championships (nine) and has the record for most state championship appearances (14), with last year’s team losing to Maine South in the Class 8A championship. Lenti credits the strength of the program for his continued success getting the most out of his players.
“Hard work works,” he said. “They know they’re going to succeed if they work hard.”
The Caravan run game dominated the Meteors in a Catholic League crossover, with Brandon Greer’s 203 yards on 10 carries leading the way.
The senior had a 34-yard TD run in the second quarter that put Mount Carmel up 14-0 and a 62-yard touchdown run on the second play from scrimmage in the second half to give the Caravan a 26-0 lead.
Teammate Draco Smith had 74 yards on 11 carries, including a 4-yard score and quarterback Don Butkus Jr. added 75 yards on 14 carries and two touchdown runs.
On defense, the key for Mount Carmel (3-0) was stopping De La Salle running back Mikale Wilbon, who rushed for 247 yards last week against Gordon Tech. The Caravan held Wilbon to 91 yards on 20 carries. The lone score for De La Salle (2-1) came in the fourth quarter on a 30-yard pass from Casey Brandtonies to Brandon Wright.
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