Ramblers heading to Champaign
Offensive line helps Loyola dominate, reach 8A title game
Loyola’s large, strong and skilled offensive line did the nearly unthinkable Saturday in Glen Ellyn, dominating Glenbard West to lead the Ramblers to a 42- 13 rout in the Class 8A semifinals.
Loyola coach John Holecek seemed a bit in awe of his players after the victory, which sent the Ramblers to the championship game Saturday in Champaign.
‘‘ On film, I didn’t think [ Glenbard West] had any weaknesses,’’ Holecek said. ‘‘ They are a really complete team. Coming in here to their place and putting on this performance, hats off to the offensive line.’’
Loyola didn’t punt in the game. The Ramblers led only 14- 7 at the half but dominated the third quarter.
‘‘ We had articles hanging in the locker room this week that said they were a second- half team, that they don’t care what happens in the first half,’’ Loyola offensive lineman Chris Betz said. ‘‘ Our job was to take that momentum away and kind of punch them in the mouth right away.’’
The Ramblers faced a fourthand- two on their first drive of the third quarter. Holecek had receiver Jake Marwede step in as the quarterback, and he blasted through for 20 yards. Marwede then ran for a 15- yard touchdown on the next play.
‘‘ It was fourth down, and he just leaped over the line and started running,’’ Betz said. ‘‘ That was awesome to see. There wasn’t that big of a hole there, just bodies on the ground. It was a great play by Jake. That was a great momentumshifter.’’
Marwede had four receptions for 62 yards, including a five- yard touchdown catch, and rushed seven times for 52 yards.
‘‘ The offensive line gets excited when [ Marwede] is in there,’’ Holecek said. ‘‘ They know it’s a ‘ ground and pound,’ as they call it.’’
Loyola quarterback Tommy Herion went through concussion proto- cols in the week leading up to the game, and it was unknown whether he was going to play. But he started and was terrific, finishing 15- for- 20 for 183 yards with two touchdowns passes and no interceptions.
The Ramblers ( 13- 0) are one victory away from consecutive perfect seasons, and their depth is a major factor. Running backs Hamid Bullie and Kyle Rock shared the bulk of the carries for most of the season. Bullie suffered a season- ending injury a few weeks ago, but Loyola hasn’t missed a beat. Rock had 16 carries for 167 yards and a touchdown against Glenbard West.
‘‘[ Rock] has been huge, carrying a ton of the load,’’ Marwede said. ‘‘ He really stepped up into being the main man. That’s a credit to him and the great offensive line.’’
Glenbard West running back Ryan Diver had 14 carries for 99 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Cole Brady finished 5- for- 12 for 100 yards, including a 61- yard touchdown pass to Patrick Mackey, for the Hilltoppers ( 10- 3).
Loyola will play Maine South for the Class 8A title Saturday. The Hawks gave the Ramblers their stiffest test of the season in Week 2, when Loyola hung on to win 44- 43 at home.
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