Mount Carmel Dominates Marist in Playoff Opener
Mount Carmel secured a commanding 55-21 victory over Marist to advance to the second round.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Football
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Mount Carmel advanced in the Class 8A playoffs after defeating Marist 55-21. The team now prepares to face Barrington in the next round of the tournament.
Why it matters
The victory keeps Mount Carmel in contention for the state championship title. Advancing through the bracket requires continued success against high-level opponents like Barrington.
Mount Carmel recorded 8 total sacks during the contest, anchored by Caleb Tucker who contributed three sacks and a forced fumble. Quarterback Brady Cloherty completed 15 of 19 passes for 268 yards and four touchdowns.
The players
Mount Carmel
This is a Chicago-based high school athletic program competing in the Class 8A football division.
Marist
This is a high school football program that concluded its season with a 6-5 record following this playoff loss.
Caleb Tucker
He is a defensive player measuring 6-foot-5 and 370 pounds who led the team's pass rush efforts.
Brady Cloherty
He is the starting quarterback who led the team's passing attack with 268 yards.
Barrington
This school serves as the next opponent for Mount Carmel in the upcoming second round of the playoffs.
The details
Mount Carmel dominated both sides of the ball with offensive contributions from Nathan Samuels, who scored two rushing touchdowns, and Marshaun Thornton, who added two touchdown catches. Defensive pressure remained high throughout the game, with Ty Kennedy recovering a fumble to help seal the victory.
Timeline
October 30, 2026: Mount Carmel defeated Marist in a playoff game.
Season Trajectory
This win positions Mount Carmel deeper into the IHSA Class 8A football playoff structure. The result necessitates a road trip to face Barrington in the next round as the tournament field narrows.
Mount Carmel moves forward to the second round where they will play Barrington. The offensive unit now faces a tighter schedule as they prepare for the next stage of the bracket.
The takeaway
Mount Carmel demonstrated balanced play by combining a potent passing attack with a dominant eight-sack defensive performance. The team must now shift focus to their upcoming road contest against Barrington to remain in the playoff hunt.
Further reading
For more updates on high school postseason matchups, visit Chicago Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chicago Tribune.
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