For the first time in 30 years, the Mount Carmel football team was not able to qualify for the state playoffs.  However, following a disappointing regular season, the Caravan found it’s rhythm in the Prep Bowl playoffs, earning consecutive victories over De LaSalle, St. Rita, and Br. Rice to claim a spot against Simeon in the Prep Bowl Championship game on Friday, November 25.

After a fairly strong start of 3-1 in  regular season, , the team lost four out of the remaining five regular season games, finishing the regular season at 4-5. This was the team’s first losing record in decades.

After the final 17-6 loss to Providence in the last regular season game, the team was devastated.

Senior Phazione McClurge offered a diagnosis of the problem: “We were goal-driven and not process-oriented.” He believes that if the team had worked harder in the regular season, they most likely would have made it to State.

“It was really upsetting to not make the playoffs this year,” admitted senior Noah Swisshelm.   “But we knew we couldn’t dwell on it, for we had the Prep Bowl to prepare for.”

Senior Dominic Antonietti also sees the Prep Bowl as a chance to rebound from the season’s disappoinments. “We had a slow start. We didn’t accomplish the goals we had in mind, but it wasn’t all bad.” Antoinetti went on to call the team’s postseason its “redemption tour.”

Practice never stopped for the team after the disappointing Providence loss. The next week, they came out every day and gave it their all so that they could guarantee a win in the first round of the Prep Bowl. They did just that, defeating De La Salle 42-0.

The real challenge, though, came the following week, when they faced St. Rita for the second time this year. In the first matchup, Carmel suffered a close 31-28 loss. Now, it was time for redemption, and the Caravan found just that, defeating the Mustangs 31-6 and advancing t0 the next round of the Prep Bowl.

Their third matchup also was against a team to which they lost  in the regular season: the Brother Rice Crusaders. Rice went 8-1 in their regular season, was ranked in the top 5 and beat the Caravan 49-42 in the regular season match-up. However, the Caravan didn’t let that deter them. They came out on top, winning 35-28, and advancing to face Simeon in the Prep Bowl championship.

Antonietti was happy with the way the team came together in the postseason to win some tough games. “We won against St. Rita and Brother Rice, which shows a lot about the team not giving up. Now we’re just working for one more game together.”

His teammate and classmate, Macauley Kilbane, agreed.  “It was a rough season, and I wish we had made it to State, but I’m glad we were able to come together in the postseason and take some wins against some great teams.”

No matter the outcome on Friday, the football teammates believe they have shown that they are a strong team that never gives up, no matter the circumstances.

“I think we’re the best team that never was,” quipped Senior Michael Kennedy.