CSNChicago.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 Jul. 31, we'll unveil the @CSNPreps Top 25 Power Rankings, leading up to kickoff on Friday, Aug. 25.
School: Mount Carmel
Head coach: Frank Lenti
Assistant coaches: Mike Minogue, Bill Nolan, Dave Lenti, Mark Antonietti, Jerry Blew, Rick Good, Tom Sulo, Mark Carmen
How they fared in 2016: 4-5 (0-4 Chicago Catholic League Blue Conference), failed to qualify for the 2016 IHSA state playoff field.
[MORE: CSN Preps Preseason Power Rankings - No. 15 New Trier]
2017 regular season schedule:
Aug. 25 vs. Taft *Soldier Field*
Sept. 1 @ Lane Tech
Sept. 9 @ Loyola Academy
Sept. 16 vs. DePaul Prep
Sept. 22 @ St. Rita
Sept. 29 vs. Brother Rice
Oct. 6 @ De La Salle *St. Rita*
Oct. 13 vs. Montini Catholic
Oct. 20 vs. Providence Catholic
Biggest storyline: Can the Caravan bounce back from a 4-5 season in 2016?
Names to watch this season: senior QB Alek Thomas (TCU), senior OL/DL Jeremy Cooper (Cincinnati)
Biggest holes to fill: Mount Carmel will need to reload on the offensive line with just one returning starter in senior Marcelo Mendiola.
EDGY's early take: It's pretty rare to see Mount Carmel sitting at home come state playoff time, and its 4-5 record in 2016 was the first time since 1985 that the Caravan missed the IHSA playoffs. The 2017 Caravan? The defense welcomes back eight starters this fall and senior two-sport standout Thomas will takes the reins under center, running the Caravan's option attack. A key will be how quickly an inexperienced Mount Carmel offensive line can come together, yet this is also a very proud football program looking to put last season behind them in 2017.
