Loyola Academy tops Mount Carmel in Illinois high school football showdown of 2022 state champs

Mount Carmel has 22-game win streak snapped

The showdown between undefeated Loyola Academy and Mount Carmel lived up to the hype as one of the biggest games of the year in Illinois high school football on Saturday afternoon. 

Ryan Fitzgerald ran for two touchdowns and threw for another and the Loyola Academy defense came up with several clutch stops as the Ramblers defeated visiting Mount Carmel 23-21.

Mount Carmel (8-1), the 2022 IHSA 7A champions and the No. 2 team in the SBLive Illinois Power 25 high school football rankings, had its impressive win streak snapped at 22 games.

No. 3 Loyola Academy (9-0), the 2022 8A champions, heads back into the playoffs aiming for another title still unbeaten. 

Illinois high school football: Top standouts, best performances in Week 9 (10/21/2023)

Illinois high school football scores: Live updates, live streams - Week 9 (10/20/2023)

Scroll down for a live thread recap of the game:

FINAL: Loyola Academy 23, Mount Carmel 21

Loyola Academy holds off visiting Mount Carmel's late comeback attempt to win, 23-21, and improve to 9-0.

Mount Carmel loses for the first time in 23 games and finishes the regular season at 8-1.

Congratulations to @Loyola_FB on their win over @CaravanFootball , 23-21. Thank you for watching #GOTW on #CW26! pic.twitter.com/qaaO5TRwgl

— Following The U (@FollowingTheU) October 21, 2023

Loyola beats Mount Carmel 23-21. The Caravan’s 22-game winning streak is snapped.

Ramblers complete an undefeated regular season.

— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) October 21, 2023

FOURTH QUARTER UPDATES

Loyola Academy leading Mount Carmel 23-21 with 3:13 left.

2 point attempt fails. Loyola still leads and is getting the ball back.

Ramblers 23, Mount Carmel 21 with 3:13 to play

— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) October 21, 2023

What a throw by Jack Elliott for his third touchdown pass of the day. Mount Carmel within two points with 3:18 left.

Mount Carmel TD going for 2 now to tie it. 3:18 left pic.twitter.com/kPyeBFjcb7

— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) October 21, 2023

Can the Caravan complete the comeback?

Mount Carmel is on the Loyola 36, trailing 23-15 with 5 minutes left

— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) October 21, 2023

Mount Carmel working to come back. 

Jack Elliott finds Maurice Densmore for their second touchdown connection and the 2-point conversion gets the Caravan to within eight points, 23-15, early in the fourth quarter.

Huge TD followed by a two point conversion brings the Caravan to 15. Defense looking ready to stop the Ramblers.

15-23.

— Caravan Football (@CaravanFootball) October 21, 2023

Elliott to Densmore for a 28-yard score and Mount Carmel is back in this, trailing Loyola 23-15 with 11:54 left in Wilmette.

— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) October 21, 2023

THIRD QUARTER UPDATES

RYAN FITZGERALD AGAIN!

The quarterback's second touchdown run of the afternoon adds to the Ramblers' lead. Loyola up 23-7 midway through the third quarter.

Ryan Fitzgerald with another TD run. Loyola leads Mount Carmel 23-7 with 6:55 left in the 3Q. pic.twitter.com/hbvWeVn5Ux

— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) October 21, 2023

SECOND QUARTER UPDATES

Michael Baker is something else. Easily nails a 47-yard FG.

Loyola leads Mount Carmel 17-7 at halftime. pic.twitter.com/m66EF9yINt

— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) October 21, 2023

A 48 yard field goal by Loyola is good.

Loyola: 17
MC: 7

— Caravan Football (@CaravanFootball) October 21, 2023

Loyola stops Mount Carmel on another 4th down. This time at the 14. That’s 0-3 on fourth down, 2 in the red zone pic.twitter.com/N2GlDLugcg

— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) October 21, 2023

MOUNT CARMEL ANSWERS! 

Caravan get a 72-yard touchdown pass from Jack Elliott to Maurice Densmore to cut the deficit in half midway through the second quarter. 

Mount Carmel responds quickly. Jack Elliott to Maurice Densmore for a 72-yard TD.

Loyola 14, Mount Carmel 7, with 8:07 left in the 2Q.

— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) October 21, 2023

FITZGERALD! TOUCHDOWN!

Ryan Fitzgerald touchdown run puts Loyola in front, 14-0, early in the second quarter. 

Ryan Fitzgerald with a 19-yard TD run. Loyola leads Mount Carmel 14-0 with 9:04 left in the 2Q. pic.twitter.com/GpLarhFXmL

— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) October 21, 2023

Loyola just stopped Mount Carmel on another 4th down and are in the red zone. Lotsa momentum early for the Ramblers, up 7-0.

— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) October 21, 2023

2Q starts with a forced punt for Loyola. Caravan take over and look to get to work.

— Caravan Football (@CaravanFootball) October 21, 2023

FIRST QUARTER UPDATES

Going into the second quarter, @Loyola_FB leads with 7-0 against @CaravanFootball. Keep watching #GOTW on #CW26! 🏈👏 pic.twitter.com/03ANrYe2JL

— Following The U (@FollowingTheU) October 21, 2023

LOYOLA ACADEMY TOUCHDOWN!

Ryan Fitzgerald to Michael Baker with 2:31 remaining in the first quarter. 

Loyola strikes first. Ryan Fitzgerald to Michael Baker for a 65-yard TD. Mount Carmel defender fell down and the Ramblers capitalized.

Loyola leads 7-0, 2:31 left in the 1Q.

— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) October 21, 2023

Big fourth-down stop by the Ramblers defense!

Loyola makes a stand, stops Mount Carmel on 4th down at the four.

Scoreless in the 1Q. pic.twitter.com/KXg660E2Dt

— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) October 21, 2023

Caravan advance all the way down to the Loyola 2 yard line and are unsuccessful in their score attempt. Turnover on downs.

— Caravan Football (@CaravanFootball) October 21, 2023

PREGAME UPDATES

LIVE at Loyola Academy, to watch #1 @CaravanFootball vs. #2 @Loyola_FB ! Tune in now to #GOTW only on #CW26! Which team will stay undefeated? 🏈 pic.twitter.com/vvTmw2PP1h

— Following The U (@FollowingTheU) October 21, 2023

We're excited to welcome #LAathletics fans and guests to Lake & Laramie this weekend for the Metro Catholic Aquatic Conference meets AND the much anticipated matchup between @MountCarmelHS Caravan and @Loyola_FB! Parking info and logistics: https://t.co/Yg1OUUNypJ

#goramblers pic.twitter.com/ESPMvB9JiQ

— Loyola Academy (@LoyolaAcademy) October 19, 2023

The moment you've all been waiting for is almost here on #GameoftheWeek😤

Who: @CaravanFootball vs. @Loyola_FB
When: 1P
Where: @cw26chicago pic.twitter.com/c16GOSjSK7

— WCIU, The U (@wciu) October 21, 2023

UNIFORM UPDATE

Game 9: white on brown. @Nike @UNISWAG pic.twitter.com/n7Vg3SaV8Q

— Caravan Football (@CaravanFootball) October 21, 2023

Illinois high school football Top 25 scoreboard (10/20/2023)

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- Nate Latsch | latsch@scorebooklive.com | @SBLiveIL