Despite only being a sophomore, Mount Carmel receiver Marshaun Thornton has already developed a habit of making spectacular plays look routine on a regular basis.
And it’s not just his breathtaking athleticism now. He’s becoming efficient, too.
“I definitely feel like I’ve gotten better with route running — all of the little stuff I needed to work on from last year,” Thornton said. “It’s normally always one-on-one with me on the defensive back.
“I get the best opportunity to score, put on a show for everybody and let them be entertained.”
Thornton showed off that entertaining mindset Saturday night while making a leaping catch for a 38-yard touchdown as the host Caravan rolled to a 42-21 victory over Fremd in a Class 8A state semifinal in Chicago.
Senior quarterback Emmett Dowling threw four TD passes and also ran for a TD for Mount Carmel (13-0), which won its 19th consecutive playoff game and will play for its fourth straight state championship at 7 p.m. Saturday against Oswego (11-2) at Hancock Stadium in Normal.
Senior tight end Stephen Winkler and a pair of juniors — running back Nathan Samuels and wide receiver Quentin Burrell — also had TD catches. Thornton finished with five catches for 75 yards.
“We’ve been working together to get our connection down since December,” Dowling said of Thornton. “It comes easy when you have a talent like that. He’s definitely one of a kind.
“You just have to give him a chance. I didn’t even give him the best ball and he still came down with it.”
Samuels pointed out that Thornton’s basketball experience showed on the jump ball-like TD catch.
“You definitely see how basketball plays a big part for him,” Samuels said. “He’s got that bounce and everything. He can go up and get balls. He’s a great player and a great teammate.”
Last season, Thornton played on the freshman team in the first half of the year but helped break open the attack with his elevation to the varsity.
In his first full season, he has 49 catches for 957 yards and 16 TDs, averaging 19.5 yards a catch.
“I’ve been doing this for so long I’m kind of used to it,” Thornton said. “It’s hard work, of course, but I put in the time, day in and day out. I’ve been waiting for this moment.”
Like an actor, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Thornton has an instinctive feel for timing and the moment. He sees every touch as a way to display his all-around abilities.
“Swag,” he said, describing his style. “Just being able to know that I’ve done my job no matter what, whether running, blocking or even throwing the ball. I want to help my team win.”
Thornton is one of the top-rated sophomores in the state. He built a reputation before arriving at Mount Carmel after winning two Pop Warner national championships.
That Mokena-based Jr. Celtics team also featured two other top-flight sophomores in Providence quarterback Dominic Vita and Brother Rice edge rusher Kameron McGee.
All three will be playing for state titles Saturday at Illinois State.
“I love seeing everybody win,” Thornton said. “Even after we beat Brother Rice, I was talking with Kam. My time with them helped make me the player I am now and our bond is always there.”
Now, Thornton is training his sights on helping Mount Carmel win its 17th state championship.
“I just have these competitive views on whatever I do at any given moment,” he said. “That translates into how I play. My mentality is never let the first man take me down.
“I don’t want to let anyone beat me and I never want to lose.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
