Mount Carmel football will play for the 18th time in the IHSA Football State Championship against the Roadrunners of Nazareth Academy.

The Caravan enter this matchup at 13-0 after its 27-6 victory over the Willowbrook Warriors in a hard fought contest. On their opening possession, the Warriors drove to MC’s one yard line, where they ultimately turned the ball over on downs. On the Caravan’s first play, quarterback Justin Lynch hit Jaali Parker on a 99 yard touchdown.

The Caravan and Warriors then exchanged touchdowns as the game evolved into a defensive battle then two second half touchdowns enabled Mount Carmel to seal the game.

In addition to Lynch and Parker, other standouts for the Caravan were running back Kenenna Odeluga with two touchdowns, and kicker Julian Patino, who consistently gave MC good field position.

The Roadrunners also enter this championship game with a 13-0 record after a decisive 28-10 victory against previously undefeated Rolling Meadows.

The key players for the Roadrunners, according to Dick Quagliano (in an article published on Daily Herald’s Football Focus on October 16), are Michigan commit and quarterback J.J. McCarthy, wide receiver Tyler Morris, running back Alex Carrillo. The Roadrunners are led by first-year head coach Matt Mishler.

Kick-off for Saturday’s game will be at 4 pm at Huskie Stadium in Northern Illinois University.