The Chicago Mt. Carmel varsity football team will host Normal Community for a home playoff game on Saturday, November 16, at 5:00 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 Illinois High School Football Playoff Brackets for Class 7A.
What: Illinois High School Football
Who: Chicago Mt. Carmel (IL) vs Normal Community (IL)
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Illinois High School Football Playoff Brackets: IHSA – Class 7A
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network
Normal Community vs. Chicago Mt. Carmel: A Season in Review
As we head into the final stretch of the 2024-2025 season, two standout teams have drawn attention for their impressive performances: Normal Community and Chicago Mt. Carmel. With distinct records, strengths, and challenges, the teams have shaped the landscape of Illinois high school football. Let’s take a closer look at their season highlights, head-to-head performances, and team stats.
Normal Community: Dominance in Conference and Overall Play
Normal Community has made an extraordinary run this season, boasting a stellar 10-1 overall record. Their performance in the conference has been particularly dominant, finishing a perfect 8-0 in conference play. This strong conference performance reflects their well-balanced and disciplined approach to the game.
Key Stats for Normal Community:
- Overall Record: 10-1
- Conference Record: 8-0 (100% win rate)
- Home Record: 6-0
- Away Record: 4-1
- Scoring Averages:
- Q1: 11.1 points
- Q2: 18.3 points
- Q3: 8.8 points
- Q4: 5.4 points
- Final: 46.5 points per game
Normal Community’s offense is explosive, particularly in the first half, averaging 29.4 points across the first two quarters. This sets the tone for the game, with their defense holding firm and only allowing 160 points all season. With an average margin of victory that’s almost 31 points, it’s clear why they are one of the top teams in Illinois.
Chicago Mt. Carmel: Strong but Struggling in Conference Play
Chicago Mt. Carmel, with a record of 8-3, has had a more mixed season, particularly in their conference matchups. Their league performance, with just a 1-2 record, highlights the challenges they’ve faced against conference rivals. However, the team has shown resilience in non-league and neutral-site games, finishing 3-1 in away games and a perfect 1-0 in neutral-site contests.
Key Stats for Chicago Mt. Carmel:
- Overall Record: 8-3
- Conference Record: 1-2
- Home Record: 4-2
- Away Record: 3-1
- Neutral Record: 1-0
- Scoring Averages:
- Q1: 12.0 points
- Q2: 9.5 points
- Q3: 8.2 points
- Q4: 7.5 points
- Final: 37.2 points per game
Mt. Carmel’s first-quarter success is noteworthy, as they average 12 points in the opening period, giving them a solid start. However, their scoring seems to plateau as the game goes on, with a noticeable dip in their performance in the second half. Despite this, their defense has kept them competitive, allowing 219 points across their games.
Record Breakdown: A Comparison
| Team | Normal Community | Chicago Mt. Carmel |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 10-1 | 8-3 |
| Conference Record | 8-0 | 1-2 |
| Home Record | 6-0 | 4-2 |
| Away Record | 4-1 | 3-1 |
| Neutral Record | 0-0 | 1-0 |
| Playoff Record | 2-0 | 0-0 |
| In-State Record | 10-1 | 8-2 |
| Out-of-State Record | 0-0 | 0-1 |
Head-to-Head: No direct matchups between the two teams this season, leaving an open question of how these teams would fare in a head-to-head matchup.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Both Teams?
With Normal Community continuing their undefeated conference play and Chicago Mt. Carmel looking to regain momentum in league play, both teams have a lot to play for in the coming weeks. Normal Community’s high-scoring offense and strong defense make them a formidable contender, while Mt. Carmel’s resilience on the road and ability to perform in neutral-site games could lead to an exciting finish.
Conclusion
As the regular season winds down, both Normal Community and Chicago Mt. Carmel have showcased their unique strengths. Normal Community’s perfect conference record and dominant offense position them as the team to beat in Illinois, while Mt. Carmel has the potential to regroup and make a deep run into the playoffs, despite their struggles in the league.
These two teams represent the best of Illinois high school football—combining discipline, skill, and determination, and fans should expect exciting performances as they aim for postseason glory.
