By Bobby Narang
Oswego High School had to wait a few extra days for a chance to win a Class 8A State championship.
The Oswego Panthers and Mount Carmel had their state title game delayed five days after a snowstorm pushed the game to a new location and different date.
With the game originally scheduled at Illinois State, the game was moved from Saturday, Nov. 29 to Wednesday, Dec. 3 and shifted to Northern Illinois University.
The shorter drive, though, didn’t help the Panthers.
Mount Carmel captured its fourth straight state title, posting a dominating 20-3 victory over the Panthers at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Oswego (11-3) had trouble moving the ball against the stout Caravan defense, managing just six first downs.
Overall, the Panthers, who won state titles in 1992 and 2003, notched the program’s third state trophy.
“They will definitely be remembered,” Oswego coach Brian Cooney said of his team. “I mean not just for making it to this stage, but a lot of people didn’t have us slated to do much, even within our conference and within our area.
“I knew tonight was going to be a tough task, but in no way, shape or former were they going to back down.”
The Mount Carmel Caravan (14-0), who have won 17 State championships, have a plethora of next level players on their roster. Oswego kept the game close and played strong defense.
“Credit to Oswego,” Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch, a former star quarterback at NIU. “They came out and played hard, played tough. They are well-coached.”
Oswego quarterback Drew Kleinhans finished 10 for 29 for 107 yards with one interception, while running eight times for 23 yards. Senior Teddy Mannikas tallied four receptions for 43 yards.
“I was extremely proud of the defense,” Cooney said. “Holding at bay the size that they have was going to be something that we knew we had to deal with. Our guys are not afraid to lock horns with anyone.”