Carmel leans on defense
Carmel's centerpiece this year is its option offense, which has managed to average more than 30 points.
But quietly, it's the defense that has been solidifying Carmel's case as a legitimate Class 7A contender. Friday night's 24-0 win at Marian Catholic was the Corsairs' second consecutive shutout, and its third of the season.
"The St. Charles East game could have been a shutout too," coach Andy Bitto said, referring to St. Charles East scoring late in the 56-7 win on opening night. "So that would have been four games out of seven."
The victory also clinches a share of the East Suburban Catholic Conference title for Carmel (7-0 overall, 5-0 ESCC). They will win the conference title outright with a victory over Notre Dame next week.
Friday night, Carmel dealt the Spartans (5-2, 3-1) their first shutout and their first conference loss. Marian had come off scoring 31 points at Crete-Monee last week, and just three weeks ago scored 49 in a win over St. Patrick. Star running back Jeruel Taylor was kept in check by Carmel, gaining 65 yards on 11 carries, including just 17 yards in the second half.
Marian quarterback John Rohde didn't complete a pass until early in the fourth quarter, finishing 4-of-15 with an interception. And in Marian's 11 possessions, they failed to get a first down seven times.
The Carmel linebackers led the way. LaRon Biere had 3 tackles for loss, Tyler Lees had a sack and an interception and Kevin Cox had 2 tackles for loss.
"They're very physical and hard to block on the perimeter, but they also can cover a slot receiver," Bitto said.
Offensively, Carmel struggled to find momentum in the first half. A 26-yard touchdown pass from Brian Serio to Sean Brennan put Carmel on the board midway through the second quarter. But when Jordan Kos left the game in the second quarter, Carmel had trouble getting untracked.
"They did a good job of beating us at the point of attack," Bitto said.
Marian Catholic nearly cut the lead with 11 seconds left in the half when Jabari Danzy's 53-yard field-goal attempt hit the crossbar.
Carmel's Steven O'Block kicked a 32-yard field goal to make it 10-0, and the Corsairs' Michael Panico scored on a 1-yard run on the next possession.
Panico's 49 yard run on a counter with 4:47 left put the finishing touches on Carmel's win.
Panico finished the night with 70 yards on 10 carries, while Tim Serio led all rushers with 77 yards on 6 carries most of those coming in the second half.
Late in the fourth quarter, Carmel right tackle Shawn Wolf-Lewis left the game after suffering what appeared to be a severe leg injury.