The Providence Catholic varsity football team (New Lenox, IL) will host a non-conference game against Carmel (Mundelein, IL) today at 6:00 PM.

What: Illinois High School Football
Who: Providence Catholic (IL) vs Carmel (IL)
When: Thursday, November 21, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Carmel vs. Providence Catholic: A Comprehensive Matchup Analysis

The Carmel Corsairs (Mundelein, IL) and Providence Catholic Celtics (New Lenox, IL) are set to face off in an exciting non-conference rematch today at 6 p.m. Both teams have endured challenging seasons, but their earlier encounter suggests this game could be another thriller.

Season Overview

Both teams have struggled with consistency this year, as reflected in their overall records:

• Carmel Corsairs (4-7):
  • Conference: 0-3
  • Home: 2-3
  • Away: 2-4
  • Win Percentage: 36.4%
  • Points For (PF): 273 | Points Against (PA): 274
• Providence Catholic Celtics (4-6):
  • Conference: 1-3
  • Home: 3-3
  • Away: 1-3
  • Win Percentage: 40.0%
  • Points For (PF): 182 | Points Against (PA): 209

While Providence Catholic has a slightly better win percentage, Carmel’s ability to score consistently keeps them competitive.

Scoring Patterns

The scoring averages across quarters highlight contrasting strengths:

• Carmel:
  • Strongest in Q4 (11.3 points), indicating a resilient finishing ability.
  • Average Final Score: 24.8 points per game.
• Providence Catholic:
  • Best in Q2 (8.8 points), suggesting early momentum.
  • Average Final Score: 18.2 points per game.

Head-to-Head History

The previous meeting on September 13, 2024, was a nail-biter. Carmel edged out Providence Catholic in a 27-24 victory. The Corsairs capitalized on a strong fourth-quarter surge, scoring 13 unanswered points to seal the game. Quarterback Trae Taylor’s performance was crucial in leading the team to this comeback.

Team Statistics and Key Players

• Carmel:
  • Offensive Standouts:
    • QB Trae Taylor (278.3 passing yards per game) leads a high-powered passing attack.
    • WR Eli Jackson (73.9 receiving yards per game) is Taylor’s go-to target.
    • RB Donovan Day adds balance with 60.6 rushing yards per game.
  • Defensive Highlights: Dominic Delorme (5.7 tackles per game) and Marcellus Nwalozie (0.5 sacks per game) anchor the defense.
• Providence Catholic:
  • Limited statistical data makes their team harder to analyze, but their defensive struggles have been evident, conceding 209 points this season.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced Marian Catholic and Loyola Academy this season. Notable results include:

• Against Marian Catholic: Both teams secured victories, though Carmel won twice.
• Against Loyola Academy: Both suffered defeats, but Carmel performed slightly better, scoring 16 points compared to Providence Catholic’s 6.

Keys to the Game

1. Carmel:
   • Lean on Taylor’s passing efficiency to exploit Providence Catholic’s defense.
   • Maintain composure in the fourth quarter, their strongest period.
2. Providence Catholic:
   • Establish control in the first half to build momentum.
   • Tighten defensive gaps, particularly against Carmel’s aerial attack.

Prediction

Given their earlier win and the statistical edge in offensive production, Carmel enters as a slight favorite. However, Providence Catholic’s home advantage and ability to strike early could make this a closely contested battle.