Carmel runs past St. Viator
When Carmel running back Sean Lynch went down with a sprained left ankle in the latter stages of the first quarter at St. Viator Friday night, sophomore running back Syone Usma-Harper knew what he had to do.
"I had to do it for him and for my team," said Usma-Harper.
On Usma-Harper's first carry of the game he burst up the middle of the field for a 14-yard gain. Five plays later Usma-Harper found the end zone from 5 yards out to cut the Lions lead to 14-7.
Usma-Harper would score two more times in the Corsairs' 28-14 win against the Lions at Robert Morris Stadium in Arlington Heights.
The win doubles the win column from last year for Carmel, improving to 2-3 and 2-1 in the rugged East Suburban Catholic.
St. Viator fell to 0-5 and 0-3 in conference play.
"I liked his speed, balance and agility," said Carmel first-year coach Blake Annen. "Tonight he made some big plays for us. I'm excited for his future."
Things didn't look so bright for Carmel early as St. Viator but up two scores in the first quarter.
Talented running back Elijah Blake carried 8 times for 53 yards including a 2-yard touchdown run to cap a 68-yard, 9 play drive and a 7-0 lead.
Niko Weder recovered a Corsair fumble on the first play after kickoff on the Carmel 26.
Black ran 18 yards on the first play which was followed by quarterback Jack Mahony's 8 yard run with 6:09 left in the quarter and a 14-0 lead.
"We came out fast like we wanted to," said Lions coach David Archibald. "We made some mistakes that hurt us. In the second half Carmel just controlled the ball."
Usma-Harper was in control as he finished the night with 165 yards on 22 carries.
Quarterback Stephen Gracia connected with wide receiver Damonte Williams-Gray on a 32-yard touchdown pass with 54 seconds left in the half to tie the score at 14.
Usma-Harper capped the Corsairs' first drive of the second half with a 10-yard run and finished the night with a 16-yard run late in the fourth quarter.
"I think I bring speed, toughness and dedication to the game," said Usma-Harper. "Right now I just want to improve game by game. When we play together as a team I think we can play with anybody."
Before his injury Lynch had rushed 8 times for 43 yards.
Black led the Lions with 100 yards in 24 carries.
Garcia was 10 for 12 passing for 119 yards with Williams-Gray catching eight passes for 105 yards.
"Two wins in the conference feels good," said Annen. "As a team right now we are at where we should be. We can't be satisfied. We have to get better."