After transferring from Crown Point in Indiana, junior tight end Ty Kennedy had to carve out a role for himself on a Mount Carmel offense that was already loaded with returning stars.
For Kennedy, though, the transition to a new team, a new school and a new state has been a smooth one.
“I wouldn’t say it was hard at all,” Kennedy said. “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 obviously a mastermind on the offensive side of the ball. All my teammates are great.
“It’s amazing.”
Kennedy is emerging as yet another playmaker for the Caravan. He hauled in four catches for 66 yards and two touchdowns Friday night as host Mount Carmel pulled away late for a 56-26 Catholic League Blue win over Marist in Chicago.
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Brady Cloherty completed 18 of 33 passes for 295 yards and five TDs for the Caravan (4-0, 1-0), which scored 28 points over the final eight minutes after the RedHawks pulled within 28-20.
“Our thing was to start fast and I don’t think we did that,” Cloherty said. “But I think once coach Lynch really got into us, we started to put the ball in the end zone.”
Marshaun Thornton finished with four catches for 139 yards and two TDs for Mount Carmel. Lindenwood recruit Nathan Samuels ran for 112 yards and a TD on 10 carries.
Jake Fleming completed 14 of 34 passes for 211 yards and three TDs for Marist (2-2, 0-1). Nick Mayoski had a 16-yard TD catch and threw a 16-yard TD pass to Conor Fleming, while JJ Nash ended up with four catches for 108 yards and two TDs.
Kennedy, meanwhile, was a huge target over the middle of the field for Cloherty. He caught TD passes of 22 and 16 yards in the second quarter as the Caravan opened up a 28-7 halftime lead.
“It’s great,” Kennedy said. “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 transferred into Mount Carmel this year from Plainfield East, so he and Kennedy were able to go through the transition together. They quickly developed a strong connection.
“When he came in, he wanted to learn the offense right away,” Cloherty said. “I was learning as well, so every day we’d go 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 plays basketball and lacrosse.
“In lacrosse, I’m a midfielder so it helps me with getting loose in space for football,” Kennedy said. “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.”
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And Lynch is certainly loving having Kennedy around to give opposing defenses even more fits.
“It’s just another option,” Lynch said. “We’re slowly starting to incorporate him. He’s slowly starting to learn the system. He’s getting better and better every week. He’s a great kid who always comes out and practices hard and he made a couple really good catches (Friday).”
Kennedy is starting to attract some attention from college coaches as well. He planned to visit Illinois for Saturday’s game against Duke, with a trip to Northwestern scheduled for next week.
“It’s exciting,” Kennedy said. “It’s awesome. I’m living out the dream.”