94 Days to Kickoff: Carmel

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NBCSportsChicago.com preps reporter "Edgy" Tim O’Halloran spotlights 100 high school football teams in 100 days. The first 75 team profiles will focus on teams making strides across Chicagoland and elsewhere in the state. Starting Aug. 5, we’ll unveil the @NBCSPrepsTop 25 Power Rankings, leading up to kickoff on Friday, Aug. 30.

School: Carmel

Head coach: Blake Annen

Assistant Coaches: Byron Dawkins, Kristof Ifkovits, Jason McKie, Johnny Knox, Keith Woodson, Tyler Lees, Vince Nardiello, Kevin Brogan, Nate Bargar

How they fared in 2018: 4-5 (4-3 East Suburban Catholic Conference), Carmel failed to qualify for the 2018 IHSA state football playoff field. 

2019 regular season schedule:

Aug. 30 vs Libertyville
Sept. 6 @ St. Charles East
Sept. 13 vs DePaul Prep
Sept. 20 vs St. Patrick
Sept. 27 @ Providence Catholic
Oct. 4  @ Marian Central Catholic
Oct. 11 @ Joliet Catholic
Oct. 18 vs Brother Rice
Oct. 25 @ St. Viator

[MORE: 95 Days to Kickoff - Fremd]

Biggest storyline: The newly-combined ESCC/CCL mega conference begins this fall. How will the Corsairs stack up in the new league?

Names to watch this season: RB/WR Jermaine Moore (Sr.), DB Jalen Burton (Jr.) and RB Syone Usma-Harper (Jr.) 

Biggest holes to fill: The Corsairs welcome back several key players back on offense; however, can they find a new quarterback to replace graduated QB Stephen Garcia from a season ago? 

EDGY's Early Take: The good news? The Corsairs welcome back 12 starters (seven offense, five defense) from last season. The coaching staff is also stacked with many former Chicago Bears-- and that includes head coach Annen. The not so good news? Carmel's schedule is loaded. They face some intriguing newcomers, including Providence Catholic. Plus, they have nonconference tilts with Libertyville, St. Charles East and Brother Rice. If the Corsairs can take care of business, especially in the early going, they could challenge for a state playoff spot.

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