Roaming the Sidelines: Loyola Academy

SEASON REVIEW

James Joyce. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER

Every time, especially in postgame interviews with sportswriters, that the subject — his record — came up, John Holecek was quick to dismiss it.

Totally downplayed it.

Fact: Holecek became Loyola Academy’s all-time winningest football coach this season. It was accomplished in Week 12 — a 30-10 win over Marist in the Class 8A state quarterfinal finals.

Observation: The veteran head coach kept the main thing — winning games this season — the main thing.

Holecek and the Ramblers (12-2) turned in another amazing season. They came one win away from taking the Class 8A state title, falling to undefeated and top-seeded Lincoln-Way East in the final. The team has advanced to the Class 8A five times in the last seven years (1-4 record).

You had to be a powerhouse to beat ‘em. The Ramblers’ other loss also was to a state champ: Phillips (Class 5A), in Week 1.

As for Holecek, he now has a 135-27 record in 12 seasons at LA. He was named the Coach of the Year in the Chicago Catholic League Blue Division.

Honor Roll

All-Conference:

— Rory Boos (Jr., WR)

— Quinn Boyle (Sr., QB)

— Armoni Dixon (Jr., LB)

— Marty Geary (Sr., DL)

— Jake Gonzalez (Jr., DB)

— Charlie Gross (Sr., OL)

— Charlie Largay (Sr., DB)

— Anthony Rodriguez (Sr., LB)

Player of the Year: Boyle

Outstanding Defensive Player: Geary

IHSFCA All-State:

— Boyle (First Team)

— Geary (First Team)

Unsung Heroes

— James Joyce (Sr., WR)

— John Lynch (Sr., DB)

— Christopher Scott (Sr., LB)

Stat Leaders

Offense

Rushing:

— Boyle (177 rushes, 925 yards, 8 TDs)

— Bullie (120 rushes, 637 yards, 7 TDs)

— Trevor Cabanban (47 rushes, 319 yards, 3 TDs)

— Michael Gavric (52 rushes, 206 yards, 2 TDs)

— Vernon Green (35 rushes, 137 yards, 1 TD)

— Tyler Flores (37 rushes, 134 yards, 2 TDs)

— Rhys Logan (22 rushes, 117 yards, 2 TDs)

Passing:

— Boyle (168-28-6, 2,202 yards, 21 TDs)

— Jack Fallon (20-36-0, 290 yards, 5 TDs)

Receiving:

— Boos (45 catches, 827 yards, 11 TDs)

— Joyce (56 catches, 680 yards, 4 TDs)

— Noah Jones (19 catches, 308 yards, 4 TDs)

— Dillon Grant (18 catches, 199 yards, 3 TDs)

— Andrew Forsyth (9 catches, 115 yards, 1 TD)

— Charlie Gilroy (11 catches, 112 yards, 1 TD)

— Bullie (9 catches, 28 yards)

Scoring:

— Boos (11 TDs)

— Boyle (8 TDs)

— Bullie (7 TDs)

— Danny Baker (3 Field Goals, 24 PAT kicks)

— Eddie Auer (25 PAT kicks)

— Joyce (4 TDs)

— Jones (4 TDs)

Defense

Tackles:

— Rodriguez (109)

— Gonzalez (109)

— Scott (104)

— Patrick Daniels (76)

— John Costello (70)

— Dixon (67)

— Geary (61)

— Hugh Kelly (59)

— Largay (54)

— John Lynch (52)

— John McMahon (47)

— Nick Murphy (32)

— Patrick Russell (29)

— Jordan King (20)

Tackles For Loss:

— Daniels (12)

— Rodriguez (11)

— Geary (11)

— Dixon (10)

— Scott (9)

— Gonzalez (8)

— Costello (5)

— Murphy (5)

Quarterback Sacks:

— Dixon (7)

— Geary (7)

— Rodriguez (4)

— Daniels (4)

Interceptions:

— Lynch (3)

— Gonzalez (2)

— Largay (2)

The Future

Seven to Watch Next Season:

— Boos

— Cabanban

— Daniels

— Dixon

— Gonzalez

— Jones

— Kelly

Lower Levels:

— Sophomore: 6-3

— Freshman: 7-2

Takin’ it to the Next Level

Verbally Committed:

— Gross (Fordham University)

Roster Spot Offers (Possible Destinations)

— Boyle (Fordham, Grinnell College, Lawrence University, St. Norbert College

— Dixon (Northern Illinois, Syracuse University, University of Toledo, Western Michigan University)

— Geary (Butler University, University of Dayton, Lafayette University, Northern Michigan University, University of North Dakota)

— Gilroy (Butler, Dayton, Fordham, Indiana State University, Lafayette, University of San Diego, Southern Illinois University, Stetson University, United States Military Academy, Western Illinois University)

— Jones (Central Michigan University, Dartmouth University)

— Alex King (Indiana State)

— Rodriguez (Coe College, Denison University, St. Norbert)