The odds were against this.
Heavily.
A few weeks ago, Quinn Boyle figured there was no way he would be Loyola Academy’s starting quarterback in its season opener against Phillips at Chicago’s Gately Stadium on Aug. 26.
The senior QB broke his right thumb in late July. The cast didn’t come off until Monday (Aug. 21).
“I did everything I could to play, but I really didn’t think that I would,” said Boyle.
But, he added: “It kept getting better.”
Thumb injury?
What thumb injury?
Boyle didn’t seem to be limited by the injury. In fact, he played incredibly well in his team’s 20-14 setback.
“For a guy who wasn’t supposed to even play, he had an unbelievable game,” praised John Holecek. “Teammates want to play for a guy like that.”
You can see why the LA coaches want Boyle on the field. He’s more than just a quick healer. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder is quick is on his feet. Makes quick decisions. And has a quick release.
He finished the game with a team-high 58 rushing yards — which included a five-yard touchdown run in the opening quarter — while he completed 10 of 15 passes for 160 yards.
But Boyle’s night wasn’t perfect.
He was sacked five times. And he was standing on the field, when Phillips’ stout defensive unit came up with a goal-line stand —4th and 1 —on the final play of the game.
“A yard short,” said Holecek.
Meanwhile, Rory Boos also deserves plenty of cheers for the game he turned in. The junior caught three long passes — 42, 19 and 24 — to lead all receivers with 85 yards.
But the grab that sticks out the most was made by junior Artie Collins (3-53) on the final drive of the game. He used a double move down the left sideline and picked up 31 yards.
“They were thinking screen pass,” said Boyle. “And we countered it. It was a great call by Coach [Tyler Vandenburg]. Coach is a genius.”
LA’s opening play of the game also was ingenious. The Ramblers gained 15 yards, when Boyle caught a wide-open halfback option pass in the right flat from Jack Fallon.
LA Game Balls: Quinn Boyle (QB), Charlie Largay (DB), Christopher Scott (LB), Rory Boos (WR), Artie Collins (WR)
Phillips Game Balls: J’Bor Gibbs (QB), Craig Elmore (RB), Anthony Davis (WR), Jaiquon Banks (LB)
LA’s Offensive Player of the Game: Boyle
LA’s Defensive Player of the Game: Largay
LA’s Offensive Stat Leaders:
— Boyle (25 rushes, 58 yards, 5-yard TD run; 10-15-1, 160 yards)
— Vernon Green (11 rushes, 27 yards, 2-yard TD run)
— Boos (3 catches, 85 yards)
— Collins (3 catches, 53 yards)
— James Joyce (4 catches, 22 yards)
Phillips’ Offensive Stat Leaders:
— Gibbs (8 rushes, 38 yards, 8-20-1, 126 yards, 3 TD passes)
— Elmore (16 rushes, 62 yards)
— Davis (3 catches, 35 yards, 24-yard catch)
— Joseph Thompson (30-yard TD catch)
LA’s Defensive Stat Leaders:
— Largay (5 tackles, 2 tackles for loss)
— Scott (8 tackles, 1 TFL)
— Patrick Daniels (5 tackles, 1 TFL)
— Patrick Russell (4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 pass breakup)
— Armoni Dixon (4 tackles, 1 TFL)
— John McMahon (4 tackles, 1 TFL)
— John Gierut (Interception)
LA’s Unsung Heroes: Russell, Daniels, Dixon, McMahon
Notable: Senior tackle Charlie Gross didn’t dress for the game due to a concession. The Fordham University recruit is expected to be back for Friday’s game against Bishop Amat.
Sound Bite: “Phillips probably won’t lose a game all year. You won’t see too many teams that have that many specimens.” — LA coach John Holecek.