Defensive end Joey Quinn (from left), quarterback Jack Elliott and running back Danyil Taylor Jr. all played key roles in Mount Carmel’s 35-21 win against Joliet Catholic in Week 7. Photo by Mike Walsh
Jack’s back: Elliott leads Mount Carmel past Joliet Catholic
Welcome back, Jack.
Senior quarterback Jack Elliott missed Mount Carmel’s loss to Brother Rice in Week 6 with an injury. But he was back in the Caravan lineup for Week 7 against Joliet Catholic in Chicago.
How much of an impact did Elliott have in Mount Carmel’s 35-21 triumph over the Hilltoppers? A significant one.
The Vanderbilt commit was 11-for-21 passing for 242 yards and a touchdown. He also ran five times for 36 yards.
“It meant everything to go out and win for our team,” Elliott said. “It sucked to have the loss last week. I know that I can go out and change the game.
“There was a little back and forth about whether I would play, but I joked all week with (Mount Carmel) coach (Jordan Lynch) and I said that I was playing. Today, I was cleared to play. I just want to do whatever it takes to win.”
That also includes putting the ball into the capable hands of running back Danyil Taylor Jr. The senior had 112 yards on 17 carries, with touchdowns of 4 and 1 yards as Mount Carmel (5-2) outscored the Hilltoppers 28-7 in the second half to erase a 14-7 halftime deficit.
“It means a lot to have Jack back,” Taylor said. “He’s the best quarterback in the state. He gives us his all and we give him our all, and that’s a great thing.”
Also impressive was Mount Carmel’s defense, primarily in the second half. Other than a 41-yard TD run by Nate Magrini (17 carries, 121 yards) with 10 seconds to play, JCA (4-3) was held scoreless after halftime.
“We played hard and we did what we were supposed to do,” Caravan junior defensive end Joey Quinn said. “We listened to the coaches and we had our assignments down. We played good old-fashioned football.
“We had a tough loss to Rice, but we went over the film and made the changes. We wanted to get onto the next week, and this week was really big for us.”
A 1-yard TD run by Vince Bremner gave the Hilltoppers a 7-0 lead at 5:34 of the first quarter. Mount Carmel drew even at 7-all as Taylor Jr. capped a 10-play, 85-yard drive with a 4-yard scoring run with 57 seconds remaining.
JCA regained the lead at 14-7 when Larry Stringham (19 carries, 91 yards) scored from a yard out at 6:15 of the second quarter.
Following Taylor’s 1-yard TD run that made it 14-14 at 7:55 of the third quarter, Elliott threw a 78-yard touchdown pass to Marshawn Thornton (two catches, 88 yards). Thornton’s impressive over-the-shoulder catch put the Caravan ahead 21-14.
On the ensuing possession, a fumble recovery by the Caravan’s Patrick Breakey led to Cooper Lehman’s 42-yard scoring sprint on a reverse, making it 28-14 at the 1:56 mark.
Elliott’s final TD pass was a 21-yarder to Lehman with 3:12 to play in the fourth quarter.
“Jack is a huge game-changer for us,” Quinn said. “He’s a great leader and great captain. The vibe is great when he plays because he always has the offense cheering for the defense when we’re on the field.”
“Jack is a huge game-changer for us,” Quinn said. “He’s a great leader and great captain. The vibe is great when he plays because he always has the offense cheering for the defense when we’re on the field.”
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