The Mundelein-based private school actually started down the path to Champaign in 2000, when Coach Andy Bitto changed the Corsairs' offensive approach.

"My first two years as head coach (1998 and 1999), we didn't run the triple option and we were 8-11," Bitto said. "The last four years, we've run the triple option and we're 46-8 since the switch. I think that was a good career move."

Carmel (13-0) meets No. 9 Bloomington (13-0) at 1 p.m. Saturday in the 6A title game at Memorial Stadium.

The Corsairs, ranked 13th nationally by USA Today, will run an offense Bitto adopted after studying the successful option attacks at Air Force and Georgia Southern.

Bitto said he realized after two seasons in the East Suburban Catholic Conference, which includes perennial powers Joliet Catholic, Marian Catholic, etc., that "you can't beat the big schools trying to knock them off the ball."

He said the option makes best use of "undersized, disciplined, bright kids," though he admits his current offensive line is bigger than usual. The Corsairs average 6-foot-3 and 251 pounds up front.

"We're lucky this year because our line is pretty big and pretty athletic," he said.

The offense is in good hands with senior quarterback Mark Venegoni, who is 26-1 as the starter the past two years.

The 6-2, 205-pound Venegoni has rushed for 782 yards and 17 touchdowns and passed for 1,629 yards and 15 TDs. In his career, he has surpassed 1,500 yards rushing and 3,000 passing with 31 rushing touchdowns and 31 passing TDs.

He suffered a sprain and a hairline fracture of a non-weight bearing bone in his left ankle in last week's semifinal win over Minooka. He has been cleared to play Saturday if the pain allows.

"He wins," Bitto said. "You look at him and you say, 'He doesn't throw that well and he doesn't run like a sprinter.' But he just runs the machine."

The "machine" has produced 42.0 points per game and includes a 1,000-yard rusher in fullback Jon Popovitch (1,041 yards, 15 TD). The Corsairs have received another 1,000-plus yards from running backs Mike Serio (653, 10 TD) and Steve Hironimus (410, 7 TD).

The top receiver is 6-6, 215-pound senior Jack Simmons, a Minnesota recruit with 33 catches for 634 yards and four scores.

"He'll play tight end at the next level," Bitto said. "He's a big-time player because he's big and can block and catch. He also plays defense (strong safety). He's the only guy who plays both ways."

The Carmel defense has given up 14.1 points per game, though Bitto said many of the points have come against the second unit in blowout wins. He said the first unit is allowing about 9.0 points per contest.

The leading tackler with 108 is senior middle linebacker James Larson, who did not play high school football until last year. Senior outside linebacker Pat Kimener has added 85 tackles.

"I think our defense is underrated because we score so many points," Bitto said.

The Corsairs also have a capable punter-kicker in senior Chris Miller. Miller has averaged 41.1 yards for 17 punts, converted 55 of 64 extra-point kicks and made 2 of 3 field goal tries.

Contact Randy Kindred at rkindred@pantagraph.com