Interception thwarts upset, Celtics win
Turnover leads to winning drive for Providence
Providence Defeats Mount Carmel 17-14
NEW LENOX, Ill. -- The score, clock and possession all indicated Mount Carmel was going to pull off the upset and hand Providence its first Catholic League Blue loss of the season on Friday night.
Yes, Providence had been called for offsides on fourth down and given Mount Carmel a new set of downs with 3:28 remaining. And yes, Mount Carmel was ahead by four. But no, Providence senior Pete Houlihan didn't believe the Celtics were going to lose. This was their season, and he had faith things would ultimately work out.
And, they did. An interception helped Providence (8-1, 5-0) rally to a 17-14 victory and win the Catholic League Blue outright.
Mount Carmel quarterback Chris Sujka's pass attempt was deflected at the line, and Providence defensive back Joey Quinlan intercepted the ball.
"None of this would have been possible without Joey Quinlan," Providence offensive lineman Jacob Sheffer said.
The Celtics started on their 20-yard line with 2:37 remaining. When quarterback Joey Houlihan stepped into the huddle before the first play, he told his teammates they were going to score. On the first play, he hit running back Tim Hanrahan for a 14-yard gain. The next play, he connected with receiver Sean Carroll for 28 yards. Two plays later, he found his brother Pete for a 27-yard gain. The next play, wide receiver Jack Burchett caught an 11-yard pass to bring Providence to the 1-yard line. On Hanrahan's second attempt, he scored and Providence went ahead for good.
"This has been a magical season," Pete Houlihan said. "This year we wanted to go undefeated in conference. No one thought we could do it. We wanted to prove everyone wrong."
Hanrahan scored both Providence's touchdowns. The first came in the opening half as he broke a 76-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7. He finished with 145 yards rushing.
Providence kicker Alec Pickett accounted for his team's three other points with a field goal.
Mount Carmel running back Denzel Thompson set up the Caravan's first score with a 71-yard run on the game's second play. Running back Milton Greer scored on a 2-yard run. Greer also scored Mount Carmel's other touchdown on a 47-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Scott Powers covers high school and college sports for ESPNChicago.com and can be reached at preps@espnchicago.com.
