More for Livermore
NU baseball recruit helpsMount Carmel remain unbeaten, win league crown
Mount Carmel’s Tony Livermore nearly gave up football after his freshman year.
His first lovewas baseball, and hewas leaning toward following the path of many of his peers by specializing in one sport.
“My teammates and coaches convinced me to keep playing football,” Livermore said. “I thought about it and said, ‘This is it. I have to play Mount Carmel football.’ ”
It was wise decision, with Livermore padding his teambest receiving totals Friday night against Brother Rice.
The 5-foot-8, 155-pound senior caught seven passes for 71 yards to help the host Caravan to a 28-13 Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference win.
The victory gave Mount Carmel (9-0, 3-0) its eighth undefeated regular season and the conference title.
“It means a lot,” Livermore said. “To win the conference and go undefeated, it’s great. But we have other goals. To win a state championship would be a dream.”
Livermore is pretty much living the dream. He has 34 catches for 416 yards.
His baseball career has gone pretty well, too. The second baseman is committed to Northwestern.
“Baseball helps me with football and football helps me with baseball,” Livermore said. “I love playing both sports.”
There was one offensive series where quarterback Justin Lynch connected with Livermore on four receptions in five plays.
Lynch is confident Livermore will come down with the ball.
“He’s very trustworthy,” Lynch said.
“He always finds a way to get open. He’s an athlete.”
Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch, Justin’s older brother, appreciates Livermore’s commitment to the team.
“He never misses a day of football, even though he plays baseball,” Jordan Lynch said. “He’s a kid we rely on for leadership and to get the offense going.”
Mount Carmel had no trouble getting its offense going in the first half.
Kenenna Odeluga had a pair of touchdown runs while Justin Lynch rushed for a TD and fired a TD pass to Jaali Parker as the Caravan led 28-0 at halftime.
Odeluga finished with 114 yards rushing on 21 carries. Lynch completed 14 of 17 passes for 219 yards. Benjamin Perry added two interceptions.
The Caravan were clicking on all cylinders, thrilling the home crowd.
Brother Rice (5-4, 1-2), however, made a game of it in the second half.
Sophomore Jack Lausch took over at quarterback and provided an instant spark. On the Brother Rice’s first series of the second half, he scampered down the left sideline for a 69-yardTD.
Lausch later hit ChaseHall for an 18-yardTDpass with 11:56 left in the fourth quarter to close the Crusaders within 28-13.
Brother Rice threatened again, but couldn’t find the end zone.
Lausch completed 9 of 17 passed for 112 yards. Running backWillie Shawadded 69 yards on eight carries.
“I’m proudof theway the guys fought back in the second half,” Brother Rice coach Brian Badke said.
“We missed some opportunities overall and we made some mistakes in the first half they took advantage of.”