EDGYTIM.com previews the 2017 Chicago Mount Carmel Caravan here. For more in depth preseason coverage including state wide team coverage along with daily recruiting news and updates, make sure to subscribe to the EDGY Nation today.

School: Mount Carmel

Mascot: Caravan

Conference: Chicago Catholic League Blue Conference

Team Twitter:

Head Coach: Frank Lenti

Assistant Coaches: Mike Minogue, Bill Nolan, Dave Lenti, Mark Antonietti, Jerry Blew, RIck Good, Tom Sulo, Mark Carmen

2016 results: 8-5 (0-4 CCL Blue). The Caravan failed mto qualify for the IHSA state playoff field.

2017 Mount Carmel Caravan schedule

Taft @ Soldier Field

@ Lane Tech

@ Loyola

DePaul

@ St. Rita

Brother Rice

vs DeLaSalle @ St. Rita

Montini

Providence

Returning Offensive Starters

Alek Thomas QB/RB 5-10 185 Sr

Aristotle Nakos RB 6'0 165 Sr

Marcelo Mendiola OL 6'3 266 Jr

Returning Defensive Starters

Raashan Wilkins TE 6'1 222 Jr.

Jordan Acklin DL 6'2 285 Sr

Jeremy Cooper DL/OG 6-3 285 Sr

Eddie McGee DB 5'8 170 Jr

Ben Lenti OLB 5'8 178 Sr

Terrance Taylor OLB 6'3 205 Sr

Darrion Rogers LB 5'10 200 Sr

Ross Valenti LB 6'1 205 Jr

Max Vandeveld LB 6'0 205 Sr

Dominic Barbosa DL 6'1 295 Jr

Newcomers to Watch

Matt Lenti DB

Cade Walsh DB

Koron Walker OLB

2017 Mount Carmel Caravan summer Camp/7on7 plans

TBA

Top Impact Player for Mount Carmel in 2017? Senior QB/WB Alex Thomas is a multi-sport athlete (TCU commit for football and baseball) who's sheer speed and quickness will be a load for all opposing defense to stop in the Caravan option attack this fall.

Biggest Concern heading into 2017? Can the Caravan get it's swagger back? After having missed the IHSA state playoffs in 2016 (first time not in the playoffs since 1985) this yteam has plenty of off season incentive to make some noise this season.

EDGYTIM's Way Too Early Take on the 2017 Mount Carmel Caravan?

Nop one really saw the Caravan going 0-4 in the CCL Blue let alone miss the state playoff field in 2016. Now in 2017? The defense brings back a ton of starters while the offense will need to reload especially upfront on the offensive line. Look for the Caravan to again challenge for a state playoff spot along with being a contender in the always rugged CCL Blue, a conference where all five teams have a chance to win a state title year in and year out.

EDGYTIM's Way Too Early regular season record prediction for the Mount Carmel Caravan? 6-3/5-4