After transferring from Crown Point in Indiana, junior tight end Ty Kennedy successfully joined Mount Carmel’s offense, filled with returning stars. Kennedy states the transition to the new team, school, and state went effortlessly.

“I wouldn’t say it was hard at all,” Kennedy remarked. “The culture here, you just have to buy into it. This place is great. I couldn’t ask for anything better. Teammates, coaches. Coach (Jordan) Lynch is a mastermind on the offensive side of the ball. All my teammates are great. It’s amazing.”

Kennedy is growing as a crucial playmaker for the Caravan. On Friday night, he caught four passes for 66 yards and scored two touchdowns in the team’s 56-26 victory over Marist in Chicago, part of the Catholic League Blue. Brady Cloherty completed 18 of 33 passes for 295 yards, contributing five touchdowns for Mount Carmel (4-0, 1-0), with the team scoring 28 points in the final eight minutes after Marist closed the gap to 28-20.

“Our thing was to start fast, and I don’t think we did that,” Cloherty commented. “But once Coach Lynch motivated us, we started to put the ball in the end zone.”

Marshaun Thornton had four catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Lindenwood recruit Nathan Samuels ran 112 yards and scored one touchdown on 10 carries. Jake Fleming completed 14 of 34 passes for 211 yards and three touchdowns for Marist (2-2, 0-1). Nick Mayoski caught a 16-yard touchdown and threw another to Conor Fleming, while JJ Nash had four catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns.

Kennedy proved crucial over the middle of the field for Cloherty, catching touchdown passes of 22 and 16 yards in the second quarter, helping Mount Carmel lead Marist 28-7 at halftime.

“It’s great,” Kennedy declared. “I feel like I’m fully integrated into the offense now. My teammates are starting to trust me, and I trust them. It’s great to be a Caravan. I love it.”

Cloherty also joined Mount Carmel from Plainfield East this year, and he and Kennedy transitioned together, forming a solid connection.

“When he came in, he wanted to learn the offense right away,” Cloherty explained. “I was learning as well, so every day we’d learn the offense together, run routes and build chemistry. Ty does all the dirty work in the run game and he’s a great receiver, too. He always comes down with the ball.”

Kennedy, a three-sport athlete, also participates in basketball and lacrosse.

“In lacrosse, I’m a midfielder, so it helps me with getting loose in space for football,” Kennedy noted. “Basketball, same thing, it improves my athleticism. They all help each other. I’m going to do all three as long as I can. My dad says whatever season I’m in is my favorite. With football going on right now, it’s hard not to love it.”

Coach Lynch appreciates Kennedy’s impact, adding another dimension to the offense.

“It’s just another option,” Lynch stated. “We’re slowly incorporating him into the system. He’s getting better every week. He’s a great kid, always practices hard and made some impressive catches Friday.”

Kennedy is garnering attention from college coaches, planning visits to Illinois and Northwestern.

“It’s exciting,” Kennedy exclaimed. “It’s awesome. I’m living out the dream.”