You don’t think winning the 8A title is a much bigger challenge than 7A? There is LA, LWE, York, Marist, MS, NC, … it seems so much deeper than 7A. I agree MC would be highly competitive in 8A and a threat to win it at every year, but 8A is a different beast.
You're right, of course. The competition in 8A is outstanding. LA is LA, always a challenge. Marist has never beaten Carmel in its entire history, but I've seen Maine South run all over us. Our record against LWE is 3-0, I think. MC has played three times, winning once, in the 8A title game, a respectable showing for a school that's been factored up. What I am considering, though, is that this year's Caravan is loaded with juniors and underclassmen who are not only starting but playing well. We'll lose Jack Elliott but gain Emmett Dowling, who, under Jordan Lynch, should develop into a facsimile of his brother. Blainey Dowling, you'll remember, helped MC beat Loyola in '22, one of the best games I have ever seen. Since Loyola took state that year, it is not unreasonable to believe that, had MC played Loyola in the 8A finals, MC might have gone home with the trophy. That was an exceptionally good Carmel team, and next year's squad could be as good or better.
