FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Okay, who did this?
Loyola Academy will be facing a killer schedule this fall. Which actually isn’t anything new. But still …
The Ramblers, who won 13 straight games before falling to Maine South in the Class 8A title game last fall, will open with a powerhouse in Chicago Phillips on Aug. 26. The Class 4A state semifinalist features five Division I players, including two from the transfer route.
Phillips went 11-2 a year ago.
“And both of their losses were flukes,” says LA head coach John Holecek.
Two years ago, Phillips went 14-0 and won the Class 4A sate title.
LA’s Week 2 opponent is utterly intriguing. And it’s a mouthful: Bishop Amat of La Puenta, California.
Bishop Amat competes in the Mission Conference, one of the top leagues in California. The Lancers went 7-4 in 2016.
And it’s a game with a twist. The “home” contest will be played on a neutral site: New Trier High School’s Northfield Campus. Bishop Amat needed to play a Friday night game before visiting the University of Notre Dame on Saturday.
Season Opener:
Loyola Academy plays at Chicago Phillips (Gately Stadium) on Aug. 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Showdown Games:
Week 2: Bishop Amat (La Puenta, Calif.) at NT
Week 3: Mt. Carmel at LA
Week 6: LA at St. Rita
Week 9: Brother Rice at LA
Last Year:
13-1 record
State Runner-up in Class 8A
Head Coach:
John Holecek (11 seasons, 123-25)
Blue Chippers:
- Charlie Gross (Sr., OL) — lone returner on LA’s O-line. He checks in at 6-foot-5, 280 pounds. And after drawing interest from a ton of schools, he verbally committed to Fordham in the summer.
- Anthony Rodriguez (Sr., LB) — he’s been moved to inside linebacker after standing out at outside linebacker a year ago (67 tackles, 13 tackles-for-loss, five sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles). “It will be a learning curve for him,” says Holecek. You can bank on Rodriguez being a fast learner.
- Marty Geary (Sr., DL) — despite being surrounded by great talent, this 6-2, 260-pounder didn’t go unnoticed. His stats certainly popped out: 79 tackles, nine TFLs, five sacks.
Breakout Players:
- Hamid Bullie (Sr., RB) — before suffering an ACL injury in Week 9 against Brother Rice, he was a key weapon in the backfield. He averaged just under seven yards per carry (88-612, 7 TDs). He wore No. 11 last year. He’ll wear No. 1 this year. Just saying. “He’s still recovering. He’s not at 100 percent. We’re being cautious with him,” says Holecek.
- Jake Gonzalez (Jr., DB/WR) — LA fans will see a lot of No. 16. He was a playmaker at safety last year (111 tackles, 2 sacks). And this fall, he’s in line to play some offense.
- Noah Jones (Jr., WR) — speedy receiver has been drawing a lot of college interest. Opponents also will be drawn to cover him. Or, at least, they better.
- Alex King (SR., TE/DE) — he’s big (6-2, 245) and rugged. And Holecek already has labeled him. “He’s a beast,” says the coach. “Strongest kid in the school.”
Players on the Rise:
- Charlie Gilroy (Sr., WR)
- Jamie Joyce (Sr., WR)
- Peter Kennedy (Sr., LB)
- Charlie Largay (Sr., DB)
The QB:
- Quinn Boyle (Sr.)
He’s No. 1 on the depth chart. But a thumb injury could hold Boyle (6-0, 175) back a little, especially in the early going. He’s got a grasp of the offense and looked good in limited time last fall (12-23-0, 182 yards, 2 TDs).
Fellow senior Andrew Forsyth was thrown into a state playoff game at last year and performed admirably.
Most Intriguing Player:
- Alex King (see above)
Sound Bite:
“The offensive line? Right now, it’s patchwork. We’ve had to bring up a couple of sophomores.” — Holecek.
LA’s Charlie Largay makes a play in the state final. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER
LA’s Anthony Rodriguez (No. 32) goes on the attack. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
Marty Geary (No. 97) of the Ramblers applies pressure. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER