Nathan Samuels Leads Mount Carmel to Thrilling Victory

Mount Carmel’s Nathan Samuels faced embarrassment before a national TV audience. Then, he changed the game. The Caravan team had given away two touchdowns on special teams and a safety in a high-stakes game broadcast by ESPN. Samuels decided to act during a fake punt.

“The sideline was down, the whole country’s watching us, and the coaches just talked about playing through adversity,” Samuels explained. “After that run, you could feel the momentum change. And we just started running with it.”

Samuels contributed a pivotal 47-yard run in Chicago, helping Mount Carmel erase a 30-0 deficit to clinch a stunning 48-44 victory over St. Joseph Regional of New Jersey. Senior quarterback Brady Cloherty delivered seven touchdown passes after the Caravan trailed by 30 points in the second quarter. He completed 26 of 41 passes for 309 yards.

Following the fake punt on a fourth-and-9, Cloherty connected with junior receiver Marshaun Thornton for a 27-yard touchdown, turning the tide of the game. Thornton finished with two touchdown catches as Mount Carmel outscored St. Joseph by 48-14 over a 29-minute period.

“That 47-yard run changed everything and brought us the momentum we needed,” Cloherty said. “Nate is a great player who can really do everything. He’s athletic but also a very tough player.”

Michigan-bound senior receiver Quentin Burrell secured the winning score with a 35-yarder, his third touchdown, with 5:03 remaining. Samuels added 102 yards on 12 carries and 45 yards on two catches. His crucial run reignited the team after a failed fourth-and-short on their opening possession.

“We’ve always been aggressive about going for it on fourth down,” said Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch. “Nate made the play, got free, and it opened up much after that.”

Samuels, recruited by Lindenwood, impressed with a 29-yard run late in the fourth quarter. Last season, he led the Caravan with 719 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

“I’m a very versatile back,” Samuels said. “The coaches know that. I thought it was great to be able to use the fake punt. It was the first time I could really show what I was capable of.”

His love for the game stems from his late grandfather, who introduced him to football at age five. Samuels credits his grandfather for his dedication and passion. “He forced me on the field when I was younger, and that turned out to be amazing,” Samuels recalled. “He passed in 2019, when I was in fifth grade. I thank him dearly for that every day.”

The Samuels family has a rich sports heritage. His father excelled in four sports in high school, while an uncle played running back at Eastern Illinois. Nathan is also a track sprinter, known for his speed.

“My freshman year is when everything started to click for me,” Samuels noted. “I had a big game last year against Brother Rice. Everything has moved forward since that.”

His brother Ethan, a freshman guard at Wabash Valley, helped him grow personally. “I’m really outgoing, and having battles with my brother was a big part of my personal development,” Nathan shared.

The game will remain a lasting memory for Samuels. “We’ve obviously won state championships every year I’ve been here, but this is right up there with my greatest experiences ever,” he expressed. “I know I didn’t get in the end zone, but it was great to help my teammates out in every way possible.”

Patrick Z. McGavin reported this story for the Daily Southtown.