Working on the big stage, Mount Carmel’s Maurice Densmore was ready for his close up.
The senior wide receiver saw his home debut against Morgan Park as the ideal platform.
“This was a game for me to come out and show who I am and what I could do,” he said.
In the process, he put on a show Friday night.
The 6-foot, 170-pound Densmore bookended a near-perfect first half for the host Caravan with two touchdown catches, paving the way to a 22-12 nonconference win in Chicago.
Densmore’s play was hard to overlook for Mount Carmel (2-0). He caught a 22-yard TD pass from junior quarterback Jack Elliott on the team’s first play from scrimmage.
Then, Densmore punctuated his superb all-around performance with a 2-yard TD catch from Elliott on the Caravan’s final play of the first half. It was impressive, to say the least.
“The quality of our team is that we are young and talented,” senior running back Darrion Dupree said. “We have our weaknesses, and that is sometimes coming out slowly.”
One of the Caravan’s strengths, however, is their depth on offense. Look no further than the talented Densmore, a transfer who’s playing for his third school in as many years.
As a sophomore, Densmore played at Homewood-Flossmoor. Last season, he was a key for Maine South, which forfeited nine games in a ruling by the Illinois High School Association.
“Densmore is a great player that we needed,” said Dupree, a Wisconsin recruit. “When he transferred here, he became a great team leader. He learned the playbook really fast.
“He and Jack already had good chemistry from the summer passing leagues.”
Starting over at a historic program like Mount Carmel is not always easy.
But junior tight end/receiver Danyil Taylor, who scored the other receiving TD Friday night, confirmed how Densmore has worked hard to adapt to his new surroundings.
“When we found out he was coming here, the attitude of most of the guys was we have another weapon we can use,” Taylor said. “He works hard, attends every morning workout.
“He holds himself accountable every time.”
Densmore was right on time against Morgan Park, using his blend of size, burst off the line and superb hands to lead the Caravan. He ended up with five catches for 47 yards.
In the first two games, he already has three TDs.
“We have a lot of great players on this team,” Densmore said. “I just want to showcase what I can do. I think of myself as a physical player, both as a receiver and blocker.”
Densmore is also versatile, with the ability to line up in the slot or out wide. He’s a running threat on reverses as well and returns punts. And in the open field, he’s gone.
“That first play where we scored, we wanted to make a statement by throwing the ball,” Densmore said. “Jack is definitely my guy. He’s one of my best friends on the team.
“From the start, I have been texting with him, talking to him about what we need to do.”
A first-year starter at quarterback, Elliott threw three TD passes but also three interceptions. He’s still adjusting to the speed and athleticism of first team defenses.
Densmore provides a vital outlet.
“On this team, we have a lot of playmakers,” Densmore said. “We’re able to spread the ball around. Each one of us has a place, and Jack is great at making us feel comfortable and making us feel like we get the ball.”
And in such a short span, Densmore has shown he belongs.
“Knowing all the people and the coaches that have been around and giving me knowledge,” he said, “is really a special thing here.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
