Quentin Burrell’s Final High School Football Season at Mount Carmel

Quentin Burrell, a senior receiver, chose Mount Carmel for various reasons. The football program’s pageantry and the glory surrounding it played a significant part. Committing to Michigan, Burrell travels daily from Evanston. While his future lies in Ann Arbor, he cherishes his final year as a high school athlete. He stated, “I’m going to be in college soon, but right now, I have to play where my feet are and do the best things I can.”

He added, “My life revolves around this building. I’m very glad that all the hard work is paying off.” On Friday night, Burrell contributed significantly to the host Caravan. He made four catches for 67 yards and scored a touchdown, playing a vital role in a 49-14 win over Providence in a Catholic League crossover game in Chicago.

Senior quarterback Brady Cloherty excelled, completing 25 of 33 passes for 373 yards and seven touchdowns, leading Mount Carmel to a 5-2 record. For Providence, junior tight end Jonathan Osborne impressed with a 93-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dominic Vita, accumulating 155 yards with three catches. Vita threw for 218 yards overall.

In the second quarter, Burrell caught an 11-yard TD pass to help secure a halftime lead of 28-14. Junior receiver Marshaun Thornton admired Burrell’s consistent performance, saying, “He’s just a humble guy who goes out there and is always dependable. He doesn’t care if it’s me or anybody who’s eating. He’s always doing something positive.”

Burrell isn’t the only Michigan recruit at Mount Carmel. Senior defensive back Tavares Harrington will join him. Both played together since age 13 with the Naperville Patriots. Harrington commented, “You wouldn’t expect Q to be Q. You see the things he does on the field and then you see him in school. He’s so personable. He introduces himself to everybody.”

Mount Carmel’s Marshaun Thornton (3) made a remarkable one-handed grab against Providence during the game on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown) Burrell’s ability to stretch the field aided junior tight end Ty Kennedy’s three touchdown catches. Thornton also caught a touchdown pass. “We have a lot of playmakers here, so we’re going to have to spread the ball around,” Burrell noted. “We have a tight end balling, a QB doing everything we need. It’s everybody playing their part.”

Family forms a crucial part of his life. His sister, Kali, a two-time academic all-conference player for Michigan’s women’s soccer team, serves as his role model. “My family has really raised me into this light,” Burrell mentioned. “I wanted to be like my sister. There was always a little competition with her and I wanted to do something to one-up her.”

Burrell’s experiences watching his sister compete in college prepared him for his own path. He chose the Wolverines over Notre Dame, Alabama, Auburn, and Boston College. Initially ready to abandon football in eighth grade for basketball, his father persuaded him otherwise. Now, Burrell is a three-year starter with two state championships. During his first two seasons, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound athlete set a program record with 142 catches, 2,396 yards, and 34 touchdowns.

“I came into the varsity my sophomore year and we won state and I’m trying to leave as a senior winning state,” Burrell reflected. “I know my journey is ahead, but I have to keep getting better every day.”

Burrell, who played only in the first half on Friday, enabled senior receiver Danny Leyden to score a touchdown in the third quarter. “There’s nothing more I could ask for than being with my guys,” he said. “I know there’s a limited amount of time that I’m going to be with them. I’m cheering everything and being grateful.”

Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.