Jack Elliott, Mount Carmel race into Class 7A quarterfinals

Jack Elliott is running again, and that spells trouble for the rest of Class 7A.

Elliott, Mount Carmel’s senior quarterback and a Vanderbilt commit, missed time with an injury in the regular season. He was limited to passing when he returned.

But in the Caravan’s 48-15 win against visiting St. Charles North on Nov. 9, the playbook was wide open again and Elliott took full advantage.

He ran 13 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns, and was 9 of 15 passing for 140 yards and three TDs as Mount Carmel (8-3) advanced to the quarterfinals. The two-time defending Class 7A champion Caravan will host Normal (10-1) at 5 p.m. Saturday.

“It’s playoffs, so it’s all or nothing,” Elliott said. “Do whatever it takes to get us to the next game.

“And you saw tonight, running obviously helps our offense a lot. It opens up the pass and it just makes us more versatile.”

Danyil Taylor Jr. also had a big game on the ground for Mount Carmel, carrying eight times for 123 yards and a touchdown. Elliott’s favorite receiver was Quentin Burrell, who had five catches for 73 yards and a score.

St. Charles North (9-2) actually led 8-0 after scoring on its opening drive, but Mount Carmel then ran off 48 straight points. Twenty-one of them came in a remarkable second-quarter flurry when the Caravan lead went from 14-8 to 34-8.

Those three touchdown drives lasted just two plays each and covered only 95 seconds total. First came Taylor’s 56-yard touchdown run, then Elliott’s 12-yard score to Marshaun Thornton right after they teamed up for a 46-yard completion. Then Elliott found Burrell for a 2-yard TD one play after they connected for 40 yards.

The passing game clearly benefited from the North Stars having to pay attention to Elliott’s potential to run. 

Having that option back “is definitely more fun,” he said. “You can inflict your will on some people. Getting to run through people is a great part of the game. Glad I’m back at it.”

So is Caravan coach Jordan Lynch.

“He’s the best dual-threat quarterback in the country,” Lynch said. “As good as he throws the ball, people forgot how good he can run it.”

There’s still a balancing act for coach and player.

“It’s a work in (progress),” Lynch said. “I’m worried about that kid. I’m not gonna physically keep giving him the ball and abuse him. I’m gonna make sure he’s healthy. 

“He’s got a long future ahead of him and there’s no better winner and competitor out there.”

Having Taylor be a major factor in the ground game allows the Caravan to be more selective with Elliott’s runs.

“He played tight end for two years for us and now he’s our running back,” Lynch said of Taylor. “He’s good with the ball in his hands and he’s getting better every single week.”

“When he’s running downhill, no one wants to stop him,” Elliott said. “He’s 6-2, whatever, 200 (pounds). You don’t want to get hit hy him.”