Seeking a change, Dean Kemph transferred from IC Catholic to Mount Carmel over the offseason.
But it was more than about what the senior defensive back could in the classroom or on the football field.
“We have a sign up in the school that says, ‘If you try and work at it, you will leave here a man.’ It’s not just about school or coming here for academics,” Kemph said.
While Kemph is working to become a complete person, he still remains a stellar student-athlete, posting a 4.35 GPA and being a key contributor on a lockdown defense.
“He brings the edge every day,” senior captain and defensive lineman Braeden Jones said after the Caravan beat visiting Fremd 42-21 in a Class 8A semifinal on Nov. 22. “It’s like he’s been here for all four years. He’s a fighter.”
“He plays all around,” Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch said. “He plays offense, he plays defense. He’s a tough, hard-nosed kid and he’s been great, and we can rely on him. At the end of the day, he’s going to give max effort and you know it’s tough to keep those kids off the field.”
Kemph had five tackles and two sacks to help deliver the Caravan’s 19th consecutive playoff win and send Mount Carmel (13-0) to the 8A final seeking its fourth consecutive state title. The Caravan will play Oswego (11-2) at 7 p.m. Nov. 29 at Hancock Stadium in Normal. The game will be televised live by WCIU, Ch. 26.
Emmett Dowling threw for four touchdowns and rushed for another TD for the Caravan. Marshaun Thornton, Quentin Burrell, Nathan Samuels and Stephen Winkler all caught touchdown passes, and Madden Wilson ran for a score.
Junior defensive lineman Darin Graham had a fumble recovery in the win.
“Carmel’s a brotherhood,” Kemph said. “When all the cylinders are firing, we’re a very unstoppable team.”
While it’s his lone year as a Caravan student, Kemph was destined to find his way to Dante Avenue at some point. He’s a fourth-generation Mount Carmel student, and his dad Steve and uncle Joe also played for the Caravan.
“I’ve been around Mount Carmel my entire life,” Kemph said. “It’s been my dream since I was 3 years old.”
Like Jones, senior defensive lineman Joey Quinn is glad to have Kemph as a teammate.
“I’ve transformed into a different person since being here,” Quinn said. “And seeing that happen firsthand with somebody else is awesome seeing. It’s cool to see him adapt to this team and what we’re about.”
Kemph remains focused on the state championship, but has a big winter and spring ahead.
He’ll play lacrosse in the spring and will decide on where he plans to play football after the season concludes.
A trip to state has become the expectation for the Caravan and with that comes traditions. One of those is the annual Thanksgiving practice.
Past players join the current Mount Carmel team to spread wisdom and boost morale leading up to the championship game. Lynch has lived it from both sides and now passes along his own bit of wisdom heading into the final weekend.
“Enjoy it. Take it all in. Don’t let a moment pass because it goes quick,” Lynch said. “Enjoy the whole moment and process because this is uncommon (teams to experience) something like this.”
Wish they would proofread the article. He’s Dean Kemph but you use Kempf and Kemph interchangeably. This would be an auto F in any class. C’mon!