After transferring to Mount Carmel from Crown Point, junior tight end Ty Kennedy has made an immediate impact.
He’s been a key blocker up front and also had a receiving touchdown in the crazy comeback win over St. Joseph Regional.
But the truth is, Kennedy might not see the ball a ton in a stacked Caravan offense. Still, when he does get the call, he’s ready.
Kennedy had four catches for 66 yards and two touchdowns in host Mount Carmel’s 56-26 win over Marist on Sept. 11 in the Chicago Catholic League Blue.
“Being patient is a big part of being a tight end,” Kennedy said. “You’re an extension of the line. You’ve got to love catching and blocking to help the team. It’s awesome. This means everything.”
Senior Brady Cloherty finished 17-of-30 passing for 281 yards and five touchdowns, also connecting with junior Marshaun Thornton (four catches, 136 yards, two TDs) and Michigan commit Quentin Burrell (2-yard TD catch).
Lindenwood commit Nathan Samuels ran for 118 yards and a TD.
Kennedy grew up playing all over the field, both at wide receiver and linebacker, even seeing some time at quarterback.
At Mount Carmel, he’s settled in at tight end.
“I’ve loved it here. It’s been great,” Kennedy said. “I fit right in. We’ve got two of the best athletes in the nation in Quentin and Marshaun. It’s hard not to want to cover those guys, so it opens up the middle.”
Kennedy was wide open across the middle on his 22-yard TD catch in the second quarter that put the Caravan up 14-7.
His 16-yard score was up the middle again, with Kennedy absorbing two hits and fighting his way into the end zone.
“If teams are going to keep doubling Marshaun and Quentin, that means someone else is open in single coverage or left wide open,” coach Jordan Lynch said. “Ty has been great for us.”
Kennedy is a 6-4, 215-pound multi-sport athlete who also plays basketball and lacrosse.
He was on campus in Champaign on Sept. 12 for Illinois’ game against Duke.
Samuels helped seal the win in the third quarter with a 65-yard TD run that extended Carmel’s lead to 35-20.
With threats at wide receiver, tight end and running back, Samuels said the offense likes to keep defenses guessing.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Samuels said. “Just knowing if teams try to get in double coverage we can run the middle. If they load the box, we’ll throw to our wide receivers. It’s a ton of fun for sure.”
Junior Jake Fleming threw for 224 yards on 18-of-32 passing with three touchdowns, including two to junior J.J. Nash (four catches, 108 yards, 58- and 40-yard TDs) and senior Nick Mayoski (16-yard TD).
Mayoski also connected with sophomore Conor Fleming (5 catches, 53 yards) on a 16-yard TD on a trick play.
The fourth quarter featured six total touchdowns.
Marist got as close as 28-20 before Mount Carmel closed the game on a 28-6 run over the final eight minutes.