Mount Carmel’s football team edged out Joliet Catholic for the No. 1 spot in the Illinois High School Association’s top 50 teams in the first 50 years the organization sponsored state championships in the sport.

Before the poll was released, the Caravan and Joliet Catholic had each won 15 state championships. After the poll was released, the Caravan won No. 16 with a 55-34 victory over Batavia on Nov. 30 at Hancock Stadium in Normal to take the Class 7A title for the third year in a row.

Aside from 16 state titles, the Caravan program racked up a 508-122 record between 1974 and this season with 38 postseason appearances and a 132-23 record in those appearances.

Jordan Lynch, who played at Mt. Carmel is now the team’s coach, and he’s happy to lead the top program in the state.

“It’s awesome,” Lynch said. “When I took over this job (in 2019) I wanted to keep it on the right track. A lot of credit goes to the coaches before me.

“We always say ‘drink the water, but don’t forget who dug the well.’ Sixteen state championships later, it’s a no-brainer we’re No. 1.”

Since 1980, Bill Barz, Frank Lenti and Lynch won state titles as coaches of the Caravan.

Nazareth, which won its sixth state title on Nov. 30, checked in at No. 17. Even though the Roadrunners did not win their first playoff game until 2007, they have been on a tear since then.

St. Rita was voted in at No. 30 as the Mustangs  continuously appear in the playoffs and won a pair of state championships.

At No. 33 is two-time state champion Richards. The Bulldogs are just one of six schools to qualify for the playoffs more than 40 times.

St. Laurence was one of 40 other schools considered for the list but did not make the cut.

This is the second school the IHSA has recognized for being No. 1. In mid-November, the state ranked Mother McAuley’s volleyball program No. 1 in the first 50 years.

SXU earns league awards

St. Xavier had 10 players represented on the All-Mid-States Football Association Midwest Division team honors including five first-teamers on defense.

Junior linebacker Chris Swayne, junior linebacker Terry Elias Jr., fifth-year senior defensive lineman Ayobami Arokoyo, graduate student linebacker Ryan Fitzgerald and senior defensive back Nick Schultz were all on the first team.

Sports bits

— St. Xavier’s men’s basketball team opened the season winning six of its first seven games, including  a 115-79 victory over Judson Nov. 26 in a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference matchup in Elgin. The Cougars tied a school record by making 20 3-point baskets in the game.

— Nazareth baseball star Jaden Fauske committed to Louisiana State University.

— Chicago Stars world-class goalie Alyssa Naeher announced her retirement from the United States Women’s National Team after this season.