You’re driving down 64th Street on Chicago’s South Side, and you see it. The brown and white. The aura of Gately Stadium. If you grew up in Illinois, you know exactly what that smell of autumn air and turf means. It’s the smell of a program that doesn't just play football; it's a factory for hardware.
Mt Carmel Chicago football is currently sitting on a mountain of expectations that would crush most other high schools. Honestly, they make it look easy, but it’s anything but. Just this past December, the Caravan pulled off something that most programs only dream of once in a generation. They secured a four-peat.
Think about that. Four years. Zero room for error. A fourth consecutive state title (the 17th overall for the school) was officially etched into the history books on December 3, 2025, after they dismantled Oswego 20-3 in the Class 8A final.
The Jordan Lynch Factor: From Heisman Finalist to Mastermind
A lot of people outside the 606 zip code probably remember Jordan Lynch as the Northern Illinois University quarterback who scrambled his way to New York City as a Heisman finalist. He was a human highlight reel. But in the Chicago Catholic League, he’s simply the guy who came home.
Lynch took over the head coaching reins in 2018. Since then? He’s basically turned the program into a juggernaut that mirrors his own playing style: gritty, smart, and relentlessly physical. Since taking the job, he has racked up five state titles (2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, and now 2025).
"Four in a row. It is hard to win. And it is not common to do four in a row," Lynch told the Sun-Times after the Oswego win.
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He’s not kidding. It’s only the second time in the long, storied history of Mt. Carmel that they've managed a four-peat. It’s the kind of consistency that makes rivals lose sleep.
Breaking Down the 2025 Perfect Season
The Caravan finished 14-0 this past season. It wasn’t a cakewalk. They opened the year with a heart-stopper against Archbishop Moeller out of Ohio, squeaking out a 43-42 win. That game set the tone. It showed they could win the shootouts just as well as they could win the defensive grinds.
Then came the gauntlet.
- The Rivalry: They beat Loyola Academy not once, but twice.
- The Postseason: They outscored opponents by a ridiculous margin before the 20-3 finale.
- The Stars: Quarterback Emmett Dowling, the latest in a long line of signal-callers, threw for 109 yards and a crucial TD to Marshaun Thornton in the title game.
Why the Rivalry With Loyola Academy Still Matters
If you want to understand Mt Carmel Chicago football, you have to talk about the Ramblers. The 2025 season gave us a weird, unique chapter in this rivalry. Loyola entered the playoffs as a No. 32 seed with a 4-4 record. Mt. Carmel was the No. 1.
Usually, a 1-vs-32 game is a "get the backups in by the second quarter" type of affair. Not this time. Loyola pushed the Caravan to the absolute brink.
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It took a legendary 92-yard touchdown pass from Dowling to Thornton with about six minutes left to seal a 21-17 victory. It was the kind of game that reminds you why high school football in Chicago is a different beast entirely. You've got 6-foot-5, 360-pound defensive linemen like Caleb “Bonecrusher” Tucker anchoring a front that just refuses to break.
The Lenti Legacy and the Blueprint of Success
You can’t talk about the current success without mentioning Frank Lenti. He’s the "Dean of High School Football Coaches." Lenti spent decades building the foundation that Lynch now stands upon.
Lenti’s philosophy was simple: no excuses, no regrets. He focused on "coaching the coaches," allowing his assistants to put their own stamp on the game while he managed the big picture. That culture of excellence hasn't faded. It’s evolved.
The school has produced names that sound like a Pro Bowl roster:
- Donovan McNabb: Yes, that Donovan McNabb.
- Simeon Rice: A pass-rushing nightmare.
- Jordan Lynch: The local hero turned coach.
What's Next for the Caravan?
So, where do they go from here? They’ve tied (and some argue surpassed, depending on how you count the early "Prep Bowl" eras) the records held by schools like Joliet Catholic. The 2026 season is already looming, and the question is whether they can make it five.
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The roster is losing some heavy hitters. Running back Darrion Dupree moved on to Wisconsin a while back, leaving big shoes that were filled by guys like Dowling and Thornton. The "next man up" mentality at Mt. Carmel isn't a cliché; it's a requirement.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Recruits
If you're following the program or looking to see a game next season, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Trenches: Mt. Carmel wins because their offensive and defensive lines are usually the most disciplined in the state.
- The Gately Atmosphere: If you haven't been to a game at Gately Stadium, go. It’s one of the last true cathedrals of Chicago sports.
- Support the Alumni: The school's network is massive. Following the players who move on to the Big Ten or the NFL is a great way to see the "Mt. Carmel way" in action at the next level.
The 2025 season proved that even when they're the hunted, the Caravan knows how to stay the hunter. They moved up to Class 8A this year and still took the crown. It seems like no matter what class you put them in, the result ends up being the same: a trophy heading back to 6410 S. Dante Ave.
To stay updated on the 2026 schedule or to look back at the detailed stats from the 17th championship run, the IHSA official archives and the Chicago Sun-Times high school sports section remain the most reliable sources for verified box scores and player recruiting news.