Aug. 28--Matt McKay didn't think it was a big deal when he was asked to move from one line spot to another last year.
"I figured it was nothing," the Mount Carmel senior said. "Little did I know six weeks later I'd end up playing center.
"But I like it. I feel pretty comfortable there."
McKay's position switch was part of a string of lineup changes by Caravan coaches hoping to get the two-time defending state champs out of their funk after a 2-4 start. Matt Reyes, known as "Tank" to coaches and teammates, took over at left guard, while running back A.J. Ries and wide receiver Steve Wirtel took on more prominent roles.
The shakeup worked, as Mount Carmel won six straight elimination games en route to a berth in the Class 7A semifinals. The Caravan lost there to eventual champ Providence, but the good vibes generated by the late-season surge have carried over to this fall.
"I have so much fun with these guys," McKay said. "We love to yell and scream and just have fun and compete."
Frank Lenti, who has won more games (347) and more state titles (12) than any coach in Illinois history, loves this team's mindset.
"We're farther along attitudinally (than last year)," Lenti said. "There wasn't (the belief), 'We're owed something because we're Mount Carmel.'"
"We experienced that last year," McKay said. "Guys thought, 'Oh, we're wearing the brown and white, we're going to be all right.'
"Everybody on the team has to understand it's not going to be all right just because we go to Mount Carmel."
If the season does turn out to be all right for the Caravan, an experienced offense loaded with returning skill players could be the reason.
Senior quarterback Anthony Thompson, who accounted for 1,273 total yards and 16 touchdowns last season, is back to run the Caravan's option attack. Also back are the top two running backs, seniors Ries and A.J. Lewis, who combined for more than 2,000 rushing and receiving yards in 2014.
Thompson has plenty of capable senior targets, including last year's top receiver, Avery Saffold; Wirtel, who had 10 catches in the semifinal loss; and 6-foot-4, 216-pound tight end Demetrius Lewis.
"We feel really comfortable as a a team because with all these underclassmen playing last year, it's just another year in the same playbook, the same plays," Wirtel said. "You feel better out there, you play faster."
The defense lost more to graduation, but there are some key holdovers there as well. Among them: Terrell Greer (13 tackles for loss) on the line, leading tackler Andrew Guerra at linebacker and Saffold in the secondary.
The experience across the board has expectations high again. But this team may be better able to handle them.
"We know there's a target on our back," Wirtel said. "But we'll take that ... and we'll just go out and play that much harder."
No. 2 Mount Carmel Caravan
2014: 8-5 (1-3, T- 4th in Catholic League Blue), lost to Providence 42-21 in Class 7A semifinals.
Coach: Frank Lenti (347-65, in 32nd year at Mount Carmel).
Playoff history: 31 appearances, 12 state titles.
He's back: Anthony Thompson, Sr., 6-1, 195, QB (919 yards passing, 8 TDs; 354 yards rushing, 8 TDs); A.J. Lewis, Sr., 5-9, 180, RB (896 yards rushing, 11 TDs); A.J. Ries, Sr., 5-10, 195, RB (1,071 yards rushing, 9 TDs); Avery Saffold, Sr., 5-8, 180, WR/DB (331 receiving yards, 4 TDs); Andrew Guerra, 5-9, 204, LB (65 tackles, 12 tackles for loss).
He's new: Jake Lenti, Sr., 5-9, 146, WR.
Big name: Thompson, who has committed to Northern Illinois, is the Caravan's lone Division I recruit.
Big game: Sept. 11 vs. Providence at Gately. It's the Catholic League Blue rivals' first meeting since last year's Class 7A semifinals.
Big question: Can the veteran offense carry the load while a less experienced defense gets up to speed?
Breakdown: After losing four of its first six games last season, Mount Carmel was on the verge of missing the IHSA playoffs for the first time since 1985. But a group of juniors helped spark a turnaround and a six-game winning streak punctuated by a Week 9 victory over Loyola. Last year, the Caravan averaged 245.5 rushing yards and 72.5 passing yards a game; don't be surprised to see more balance this season
Fast fact: Jake Lenti, who is the coach's nephew and will start at wide receiver and also play defensive back, was on the golf team for two seasons before coming out for football last year.
