Unlike several of his Mount Carmel teammates, senior wide receiver Kevin Gardner doesn’t really have a cool nickname. He simply goes by KG.
But perhaps after what happened Saturday night, Gardner will be known by future Caravan players as something decidedly more dramatic — like The Igniter.
Why? Because Gardner scored a pair of touchdowns late in the first quarter, setting the stage for the program winning its 15th state title.
“I’ve always dreamed about even being in a state championship in this place,” Gardner said, donning a white Mount Carmel state title cap. “And to score in this, it’s awesome.”
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Gardner came up with five catches for 82 yards and scored twice as the Caravan rolled to a 35-10 victory over Downers Grove North in the Class 7A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium.
Gardner’s back-to-back TD receptions provided the spark as Mount Carmel (13-1) tied Joliet Catholic for the most football state titles in Illinois High School Association history.
The first TD was a 28-yarder from junior quarterback Jack Elliott in the first quarter on a ball Gardner caught at the 4-yard line, then stumbled past two defenders into the end zone.
The second score came with 54 seconds left in the quarter on a smooth 13-yard pass from Elliott that was the culmination of a six-play, 62-yard drive and built a 14-0 lead.
And that was ultimately that. Mount Carmel’s defense essentially held the Trojans to a field goal the rest in the way until they finally punched in a TD with two seconds remaining.
By then, senior receiver Maurice Densmore was already celebrating with Gardner. Densmore, who had a pair of rushing TDs and caught six passes for 55 yards, handed out the praise.
“KG is a hard worker,” Densmore said. “He works day in and day out on his craft. He got called on (Saturday night) and made two big plays.”
Although it was pitched as a history-making victory, Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch didn’t see it that way. It’s just not how he or the Caravan go about their business.
In fact, while he was pleased with the win, he was disinterested in historical implications.
“You come to Mount Carmel to play in championship football games, and that’s what we did,” said Lynch, who won guided the Caravan to their third state title since 2019. “It’s always great to win a state championship.
“We only care about ourselves, to be honest with you. I didn’t know we tied anyone.”
Gardner, meanwhile, will graduate with a pair of state championship medals, capping off a football career that began back in fourth grade at St. Christina in Chicago.
Back then, Gardner played cornerback and running back. As a freshman, he played cornerback but hurt his shoulder. Had he stayed on defense, he would have had to have surgery, so he switched to offense for Mount Carmel.
He made his first varsity appearance as a junior against St. Rita. He didn’t start but gradually worked his way into to rotation as a senior. It all paid off in the early going against Downers Grove North (11-3).
“Those seniors last year really taught us the way — how to make a state championship,” Gardner said. “And we never forgot that.
“I told the juniors this year, ‘Never forget this feeling.'”
In the purest form, that’s called leadership, something Gardner, Densmore and senior receiver Darrion Gilliam — who does carry a cool nickname as the “Slim Reaper” — took upon themselves early this season.
The result for Mount Carmel in 2024 remains to be seen, but by that time, Gardner will be in college and possibly still playing football. Right now, he’s not 100% sure.
“I think I will,” he said. “I’m not sure what college yet, but I’m going to keep my options open.”
Gregg Voss is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.