It’s a year later, and the redemption is nearly complete for Mount Carmel’s Darrion Dupree.

The senior running back missed his team’s entire 2022 playoff run due to injury, which culminated in a state title. No way was the Wisconsin recruit going to miss out again.

This time, Dupree’s substantial postseason contributions have the Caravan in position to repeat. But he still has the presence of mind to give some credit where credit is due.

“I wouldn’t be nothing without my scout team,” Dupree said. “In practice, the scout team challenges you every different way — everybody … the quarterbacks, the receivers.

“That’s why I’m doing what I’m doing in the games.”

Dupree had quite the game Saturday night, especially during the first half, as host Mount Carmel rolled to a 64-26 victory over Batavia in a Class 7A state semifinal in Chicago.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Dupree scored four touchdowns — two rushing, two receiving — and essentially willed the Caravan (12-1) to an early lead they would never relinquish.

In all, Dupree did it all. He rushed for 74 yards, including the TD runs of 2 and 35 yards. He also caught two passes from junior quarterback Jack Elliott for TDs of 27 and 74 yards.

While Dupree has been plying his trade for the Caravan since he was a freshman, so has senior teammate Luke Spatz, a defensive back and scout team member.

His take on Dupree’s evening?

“He’s unreal,” Spatz said. “He’s been unreal since freshman year. Four touchdowns, three in the first quarter. It was unbelievable.”

Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch had the same thought but preferred to reflect on Dupree’s full body of work heading into a 4 p.m. Saturday state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium against Downers Grove North (11-2), a 42-0 semifinal winner over Normal Community.

“Special,” Lynch said in describing Dupree. “Kids like him show up every 15, 25 years. Those kids don’t come around that often. The great thing about him is he’s a leader in the classroom, he’s a leader on the team, he’s one of our captains.

“He just works. And he’s very unselfish.”

Across the field, as his Batavia’s teammates quietly milled around afterward, senior quarterback Ryan Boe did not get stuck on what might have been.

The North Dakota State recruit threw four TD passes, two apiece in each half. He completed 15 of 24 passes for 249 yards to lead Batavia (11-2).

But it was a jarring loss nonetheless, one that left the 6-3, 205-pound Boe looking back on the best of his high school football career.

It wasn’t about wins and losses, statistics, anything like that. It was more the overall experience. He started playing touch football in first grade, then advanced to flag and finally tackle.

“It’s really going to be nothing about the games,” said Boe, eye-black crosses under each eye. “It’s all the guys just hanging out. It’s not going to be any game memories.

“Just the things we do together. Just hanging out.”

Boe’s 60-yard TD pass to senior running back Charlie Whelpley late in the first quarter managed to cut the Bulldogs’ deficit to 14-7. Brett Berggren later caught two TD passes.

But Dupree canceled Boe out on Mount Carmel’s next drive, scampering up the middle for a 35-yard TD run.

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“The sky’s the limit,” Batavia coach Dennis Piron said of Boe. “He’s a tough, physical kid. He’s going to be a heck of a college player, and we’re going to see him do special things.”

Dupree wasn’t the only one who put up big-time numbers Saturday.

Elliott threw four TD passes, all in the first half. He added a 64-yard TD run in the third quarter that led to a running clock.

But it was Dupree’s last game on his home field, after starting his football career just like Boe. He will look to do bigger and better things at Camp Randall in upcoming years.

What’s his best memory of his Mount Carmel career, at least so far? Remember, next Saturday remains.

“I would say it’s today, but we’ve still got one more,” Dupree said. “We’ve got a lot to accomplish.”

Gregg Voss is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.