Freshman receiver Marshaun Thornton already is one of Mount Carmel’s fastest players.
Stepping into his first high school season, he worked just as quickly on establishing a bond with senior quarterback Jack Elliott, the Vanderbilt recruit who led the Caravan to last year’s state title.
“We’ve been talking a lot because he knew I was going to be called up,” Thornton said of making his varsity debut. “He told me the ball was going to be coming and I had to look out for it.
“On the touchdown (Saturday), he told me I’d know where the ball was and I had to be ready to go up. He told me to lock in and see the ball.”
Thornton’s 12-yard TD catch was a sight to see in the second quarter Saturday night, sparking the Caravan to a 48-15 victory over St. Charles North in a Class 7A second-round playoff game.
Elliott completed 9 of 15 passes for 140 yards and three TDs to lead Mount Carmel (8-3), which will host a quarterfinal game next week against sixth-seeded Normal Community (10-1).
That wasn’t all for Elliott, who also ran for two TDs. Besides Thornton, Elliott connected on TD passes to sophomore receiver Quentin Burrell and senior wide receiver Jake Cozzie.
Senior running back Danyil Taylor Jr. added a TD run and 123 yards rushing for the Caravan.
”The kids who were already on varsity had to grow up,” Elliott said. “Then Marshaun getting pulled up, he knew he had to grow up really quickly.
”He’s one of the best athletes on the field — speed, quickness, jumping up for the ball.”
Thornton made the rare, exciting leap from playing on the freshman team to being called up for an Oct. 4 game in the CCL/ESCC Blue against archrival Brother Rice.
He caught his first TD pass from Elliott one week later in a 35-21 victory over Joliet Catholic.
The Caravan trailed 8-7 Saturday against St. Charles North (9-2) before they broke things open by scoring four times in the second quarter. Thornton’s 30-yard catch set up his TD, where he showed speed and athleticism while getting free in space.
“That catch just boosted me and my confidence,” said Thornton, who finished with two catches for 42 yards. “I’ve been talking with Jack a lot since the summer and he has been very welcoming.
“Even though I’m just a freshman, I feel like I’m a route runner. I could do anything you need me to do. I can also block or be athletic and go up and get the ball.”
Thornton proved immediately to the older players he belongs in their elite company.
“The young kid is special,” Taylor said. “He practiced with us the whole summer, so we knew what he could do. He comes to work every day and he keeps his head up.
“He always takes advice. He’s a good kid, works very hard, and he has special talent.”
Thornton grew up in Calumet City and recently moved to Crete. The allure of playing football at Mount Carmel was too good to pass up.
”Everybody plays a different sport in my family,” he said. “My dad played basketball, and a couple of my cousins also played football. I’m really the one who hit with the sport.
“I just love the game, getting that anger out, scoring in a big game like this, with this atmosphere and all of these fans watching from the stands.”
At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, Thornton has the length to challenge the defense, winning the ball or using his size to create an advantage. He has also has a natural and engaging manner.
“I was just born that way, outgoing and friendly, because everybody in my family is also like that,” Thornton said. “I just have to keep it going.”
Elliott feels that’s a distinct possibility, seeing playmaking skills and a high ceiling in Thornton.
“Best raw receiver in the state,” Elliott said. “Once he gets polished up, everybody better look out.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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