Braeden Jones arrived at Mount Carmel as a freshman figuring he’d see time on both the offensive and defensive line.
Now he’s a 6-4, 255-pound senior playing just defense — and dominating.
The consensus four-star prospect and No. 10 senior in the state helped the host Caravan hold off pesky Fenwick 35-28 on Oct. 17, delivering a key forced fumble in the closing minutes.
“Originally, the plan was to always play both ways,” Jones said. “I grew into being a defensive end. I slimmed down, lost weight and then got to 240 and became a pure rusher and three-technique. My coaches have helped me perfect my craft, and I’m trying to keep getting better as I go.”
Jones is part of a standout defense that features Power Five recruits at every level. They all were needed for the Caravan (8-0) to hold off Fenwick (6-2).
After Mount Carmel went up 35-28 on a 9-yard touchdown run from junior Nathan Samuels with 2:12 remaining, the defense went to work.
Jones led the charge into the backfield as the blocking collapsed, letting Jones hit Fenwick quarterback Jamen Williams and force a fumble. The Caravan recovered, sealing the back-and-forth win.
“The coaches were a little upset from the drive before because I didn’t get the sack on Fenwick’s touchdown,” said Jones, who is committed to USC. “It’s having that motor. You need that motor to take him down and keep fighting. I had to put on my best pass-rush move because the team needs me now.”
Mount Carmel trailed early against the energetic Friars, rallied to go up 28-14 and then closed strong when Fenwick tied the game at 28 midway through the fourth.
“Going into this, we knew they were a good team,” Jones said. “They (were) 6-1. It was going to be a dogfight. They weren’t going to back down because of our jerseys. We had to keep fighting and keep going.”
Samuels picked up some key blocks from seniors Stephen Winkler and Gavin Conjar before diving full-out to hit the pylon up the left sideline.
“You just have to keep going,” Samuels said. “I got hit at the 5-yard line and thought, ‘I’ve got to get in!’ I had to keep my feet moving and get into the end zone. Our tight ends are such a key factor for us blocking and catching.”
Samuels finished with 14 carries for 116 yards and the TD.
Senior quarterback Emmett Dowling threw for 211 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, including a Fenwick pick-six. His top targets again included sophomore Marshaun Thornton (four catches, 54 yards, two TDs) and junior Quentin Burrell (two catches, 37 yards, TD).
Junior Tavares Harrington delivered a momentum-turning play midway through the second quarter when he laid out to block a Fenwick field-goal attempt. Senior Patrick Breakey recovered the ball, setting the Caravan up with prime field position.
Dowling connected with Burrell for a 27-yard TD strike on a fourth-down play as Mount Carmel tied the game at 14 with 3:52 left in the half. A Dowling to Thornton 27-yard TD just before the half gave the Caravan their first lead.