Nathan Samuels Leads Mount Carmel in a Stunning Comeback

Mount Carmel’s Nathan Samuels felt embarrassed as his team played in front of a national TV audience. Determined to change the game, the senior running back took action. During a broadcasted game on ESPN, Mount Carmel had already conceded two touchdowns on special teams and a safety. But a moment came when Samuels executed a fake punt that turned the tide.

The sideline was down, the whole country’s watching us, and the coaches just talked about playing through adversity, he said. After that run, you could feel the momentum change. And we just started running with it.

On Friday night, Samuels executed a 47-yard run on the fake punt. This pivotal play helped Mount Carmel overcome a 30-0 deficit, leading to a 48-44 victory over St. Joseph Regional of New Jersey. Senior quarterback Brady Cloherty threw seven touchdown passes, completing 26 of 41 passes for 309 yards. Shortly after the fake punt on fourth-and-9, Cloherty connected with junior receiver Marshaun Thornton on a 27-yard touchdown pass. Thornton finished with two touchdown catches as Mount Carmel outscored St. Joseph 48-14 over a 29-minute interval.

That 47-yard run changed everything and brought us the momentum we needed, Cloherty remarked. Nate is a great player who can really do everything. He’s athletic but also a very tough player. He can catch the ball and make big plays also running with the ball.

Michigan-bound senior receiver Quentin Burrell secured a 35-yard touchdown, his third overall, with 5:03 remaining, ultimately sealing the win. Samuels added 102 yards on 12 carries and 45 yards on two catches. His successful fake punt run catalyzed the comeback after the Caravan was denied on an earlier fourth-and-short.

We’ve always been aggressive about going for it on fourth down, Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch stated. Nate made the play, got free, and it opened up much after that. He’s a playmaker, and he got everything moving after that.

Samuels, recruited by Lindenwood, also managed a crucial 29-yard run late in the fourth quarter. He scored 10 touchdowns last season, leading Mount Carmel in rushing with 719 yards.

I’m a versatile back, Samuels said. The coaches know that. I thought it was great to be able to use the fake punt. It was the first time I could really show what I was capable of. His passion for football stems from his maternal grandfather, who introduced him to the sport at age five. He forced me on the field when I was younger, and that turned out just to be amazing, Samuels shared. He passed in 2019, when I was in fifth grade. I thank him dearly for that every day.

Samuels comes from a family with athletic talent. His father was a high-school athlete in four sports, and an uncle played running back at Eastern Illinois. Samuels also participates in track as a sprinter, showcasing an explosive burst to the edge.

My freshman year is when everything started to click for me, Samuels said. I had a big game last year against Brother Rice. Everything has moved forward since that. His older brother, Ethan, plays basketball as a freshman guard at Wabash Valley, a notable junior college.

I’m a really outgoing guy, and having battles with my brother was a big part of my personal development, Nathan said. He really helped me out of my shell.

The night proved to be an unforgettable experience for Samuels. We’ve obviously won state championships every year I’ve been here, but this is right up there with my greatest experiences ever, he confirmed. I know I didn’t get in the end zone, but it was great to help my teammates out in every way possible.