Carmel’s team effort leads to impressive opening win

Carmel Catholic’s offense received a lot of attention in the offseason with a pair of Division I recruits, however, the defense showed Friday night it has a lot of talent as well.

Noah Breckenridge, Kristian Chadick, and Nicholas Hopman were consistently making plays in the backfield to help lead the Corsairs to a 52-13 victory in the season opener against Grayslake Central.

“It’s definitely a tone setter,” said Chadick, who had five tackles for a loss. “We can’t have a season like last year – 3-6, that is not good enough.”

Carmel had five sacks, including two from Breckenridge. Chadick, Jameer Miles and Michael Zitella also took down the quarterback.

Grayslake Central, however, had the momentum early, driving into the red zone and recovering a fumble. But it was Carmel who scored the only touchdown in the opening frame with Nebraska-bound quarterback Trae Taylor finding Gregory Bess-Henning for a 50-yard touchdown on the final play of the quarter.

They would connect again for another score in the second quarter.

Taylor finished the game with only one incomplete pass, which hit his receiver in the hands, completing 12-of-13 for 207 yards and four touchdowns in just over a half of play.

“He is working like he hasn’t committed anywhere,” Carmel head coach Jason McKie said. “That is just who he is. He is going to continue to work like he doesn’t have anything. If you want to be great, that’s how you have to approach it.”

Kai Owens, who has committed to the University of Massachusetts, and Kyron Hart also caught touchdowns from Taylor.

Owens scored his second touchdown when a fumbled ball landed right in his hands, which he brought in for four yards.

Taylor had plenty of time to throw all night, and thanked his protection.

“O-line is doing great,” Taylor said. “I mean they have been doing great all summer, and in camp. I just have to take advantage of it.”

The line also made plenty of holes for their running backs as well. Carmel had 212 yards rushing, averaging 8 yards a carry. Sophomore Jorden Moore led the team with 109 yards, and Jaquel Edmonds added 70 on nine carries, including a touchdown. Edmonds also scored on a 75-yard kick return.

Carmel broke the game open with 21 points in the second quarter thanks to three blocked punts to give them good starting position.

Grayslake Central did manage to score in the second half, with Eli Gillette and Ken-Ye Pendleton each finding the end zone.

The Rams will travel to Bremen next week, while the Corsairs go to Lake Forest.

“We got to get revenge on them because we lost last time,” Chadick said. “We definitely need to step it up.”