One team ran the ball and one team didn’t, and that fact pretty much encapsulates the Leo Lions’ 42-12 loss to Carmel-Mundelein in a Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference crossover matchup at St. Rita’s Cronin Field on Saturday, Sept. 10.
Ten days after yielding 154 yards and six touchdowns to Marian Catholic sophomore Tyler Lofton, the Lions watched Carmel sophomore Donovan Dey pile up 104 yards on 15 carries with three touchdowns. Quarterback Johnathon Weber completed 14 of 22 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown and ran for an additional score, giving the Corsairs (3-0) admirable balance.
The Lions, on the other hand, had no semblance of a running game (minus-4 yards for the evening), putting the offensive onus entirely on sophomore QB Darion Lee. His 14 completions in 32 attempts produced 280 yards and an 80-yard touchdown to Kevin Jackson, but the embattled youngster also threw four interceptions as Carmel—emboldened by Leo’s non-existent ability to run the ball—used either a fierce pass rush or seven- and eight-man coverages to frustrate him.
Two lost fumbles made for a grand total of six Leo turnovers, which along with 86 penalty yards pretty much explains the 30-point final margin.
Jackson had three catches for 144 yards and a touchdown, his sixth of the season. Merrick Sample caught four passes for 59 yards.
The Lions (1-2) will try to halt a two-game losing streak when they visit DePaul Prep (2-1) on Friday, Sept. 16. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.