NORMAL — Brady Cloherty left Plainfield East, where he started at quarterback last season, for an unknown role at Mount Carmel.
Joining the four-time reigning state champion Caravan after transferring, Cloherty knew nothing was guaranteed and that he might spend his senior year on the bench or at a new position, especially after Ryder Startz won a preseason competition for the starting quarterback job.
Cloherty accepted the challenge, though, and remained locked in with his teammates.
“The preseason was really good,” Cloherty said. “Ryder pushed me to get better. He’s a great quarterback. It was a great battle between the two of us and I think we both did great.
“Being part of this program means everything to me. It’s changed my life. I’ve made new brothers that I never thought I’d have. I’m just happy about that and I’m ready for the rest of the season.”
Cloherty ended up getting his shot with his new team right away in Saturday night’s season opener. He came off the bench to throw a pair of long touchdown passes but also tossed two late interceptions as East St. Louis rallied to top Mount Carmel 42-23 at Illinois State’s Hancock Stadium.
Cloherty completed 13 of 23 passes for 279 yards for the Caravan (0-1), who had a 19-game winning streak snapped. Marshaun Thornton hauled in five catches for 148 yards and two TDs and returned a free kick 78 yards for another score.
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Michigan recruit Tavares Harrington forced a fumble and blocked a field goal, while Mason Andrews had an interception and a sack.
East St. Louis (1-0) — which has the most all-time wins in Illinois High School Association football history, with Mount Carmel ranking second — scored the final 28 points of the game, all in the fourth quarter. Cincinnati recruit Ronnie Gomiller ran for three TDs in the fourth, while Florida commit Raheem Floyd returned an interception 35 yards for a game-sealing TD.
“We made too many mistakes as a team,” Thornton said, “We just have to learn from them, watch film, bounce back and do what we need to do next week.”
Cloherty, meanwhile, was called upon early. After the Caravan went three-and-out on its first possession, Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch turned to Cloherty for the second drive.
“I didn’t really know if I was going to go in or when but I was told to be ready,” Cloherty said. “That’s what you’ve got to do.
“I was excited. I had a little bit of nerves but after the first play that wore off and it was just all go mode after that.”
Cloherty split time with Startz in the first half, then played the entire second half after Startz left with an apparent injury.
Cloherty tossed a 40-yard TD pass to Thornton late in the first half and hit him again for a 36-yard score in the third quarter that made it 14-14.
“Brady played amazing,” Thornton said. “Having to step up after what happened with Ryder, it was just amazing to see he’s ready. He’s going to be a great piece for us and he’s going to lead us.”
The Caravan jumped to a 23-14 lead before the Flyers’ stunning turnaround in the fourth.
“It’s a lesson,” Harrington said. “We’re going to keep building. We’re going to come back. People might doubt us now, but we’ll see them on our side really soon.”
Cloherty also anticipates a bounce back. He plans to take away some positives from his debut, along with a big chip on his shoulder from the way the game ended.
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“It was a good first game and I had a lot of fun but I’ve got to fix a lot of stuff,” Cloherty said. “I’ve got to run the offense better. That second half was on me.
“I’m ready. I’m not going to let that happen again. I know that.”