This Friday night, under the lights, the Caravan will take on the Crusaders of Brother Rice. This is one of the most unpredictable games in the regular season, as MC and Brother Rice have no common opponents. Dating all the way back to 1958 Mount Carmel has faced Brother Rice a total of 56 times, winning 35 of those meetings. Although MC has the upper hand in victories over the Crusaders, the Caravan are the underdogs in this week’s match-up.

The Caravan has not beaten a Catholic League opponent this season, and the Crusaders are a perfect 5-0, 3 of those victories against Catholic League opponents.

The Caravan has its work cut out against Brother Rice. At this point in the season the Crusaders are ranked number 2 in the state by MaxPreps and the Caravan are currently ranked far below at 62.

Although Mount Carmel has a lot stacked against it, it does have the winningest head coach in the state, Coach Frank Lenti, as well as Division I commits Michael Kennedy ’16. and Phazione McClurge ’16. to lead to a hoped-for victory.

Brother Rice also has its own arsenal of top players and coaches, including Ricky Smalling ’16 – who has committed to University of Illinois – and head coach Brian Badke.

Tonight the Caravan will try to upset the Crusaders and make its way back into the list of state championship contenders.