Week 9 Football Preview

 

LOYOLA RAMBLERS (6-2) vs. MARIST REDHAWKS (4-4) 

1 p.m, Saturday, October 26 at Hoerster Field

 

 

RamblerStream: https://www.goramblers.org/news--media/ramblerstream

Twitter: @LAGoRamblers

 

 

 

Head Coach: John Holecek, 14th season (146-30)

Captains: Luke Desherow, sr., Christo Kelly, sr., Matthew Mangan, sr., Jack Nimesheim, sr.

Conference: Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference Blue

2018: 11-3, 2-2 Chicago Catholic Blue, Class 8A State Champions

 

 

Head Coach: Ron Dawczak, 3rd season (22-3)

Conference: Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference Blue

2018: 11-2, 7-0 East Suburban Catholic Conference, Lost in Class 8A semifinals

 

 

 

L St. Ignatius (Cleveland, Ohio) 27-10

W New Trier 34-3

W St. Rita 24-7

L Mount Carmel 17-14

W St. Ignatius 58-6

W Brother Rice 35-14

W Benet 46-14

W Marian Central 52-0

October 26 vs. MARIST, 1 p.m.

 

 

W Dunbar 42-0

W Lake Zurich 24-17

L Notre Dame 21-14

L Brother Rice 17-14

W Fenwick 35-17

L Mount Carmel 21-14

L Nazareth 39-29

W St. Patrick 31-6

October 26 at LOYOLA, 1 p.m.

 

 

(conference, overall)

 

Mount Carmel 2-0, 8-0

Loyola 1-1, 6-2

Brother Rice 1-1, 5-3

Marist 0-2, 4-4

 

 

Notre Dame 2-0, 7-1

Montini 1-1, 6-2

St. Rita 1-1, 5-3

Providence0-2, 6-2

 

 

Nazareth 2-0, 7-0

Benet 2-0, 6-2

St. Laurence 0-2, 4-5

De La Salle 0-2, 3-5

 

 

St. Viator 2-0, 4-4

Marian Central 1-1, 4-4

St. Patrick 1-1, 2-6

Carmel 0-2, 1-7

 

 

Marian Catholic 2-0, 4-4

Leo 2-0, 3-5

DePaul Prep 0-2, 2-6

St. Joseph 0-2, 1-7

 

 

Joliet Catholic 2-0, 5-3

Marmion 1-1, 6-2

Fenwick 1-1, 5-3

St. Ignatius 0-2, 4-4

 

 

 

Trevor Cabanban Sr RB

 

Cabanban has good memories of playing Marist. Called up to varsity for the playoffs as a sophomore, he shredded the RedHawks’ defense for 183 rushing yards and two TDs in Loyola’s 30-10 win on the road in the Class 8A quarterfinals. Last week, he ran seven times for 42 yards and one TD.

 

John Grogan Sr QB

 

The lone senior signal-caller with snaps, Grogan enters the final game of the regular season 4-for-4 for 68 yards. He has one rushing TD. 

 

Perrion McClinton Jr WR/QB

 

Since moving to receiver in Week 5, McClinton had his best game at the position, catching five passes for 81 yards. “He’s a nice asset and a difference-maker,” Loyola Head Coach John Holecek said. McClinton has 10 receptions for 167 yards. 

 

Darrell Poku Sr RB

 

The veteran running back scored his first TD of the season Friday on a 5-yard run in the third quarter. He finished with four carries for 34 yards. As a junior, he scored one TD. 

 

Kyle Zupec Sr DB

 

A cornerback, Zupec broke up two passes Saturday and leads the team with eight pass break-ups. He has 27 tackles, 22 of which are solo.  

 

 

Colin Bohanek Sr LB

 

A team captain, the 6-foot, 210-pounder leads the team with 91 tackles, including 10 1/2 for loss. He’s forced one fumble. 

 

AJ Markett Sr WR

 

One of the team’s top playmakers, Markett has 26 catches for 251 and two TDs and has run for 184 yards and two TDs.  

 

Triston Schultz Jr DL

 

The 5-10, 240-pound end is a disruptor at the line of scrimmage. He has 12 tackles for loss and caused one fumble. 

 

Amari Watkins Sr RB

 

Watkins is the team’s top back, rushing 109 times for 693 yards and nine TDs. He has four games in which he’s run for 100 yards or more. 

 

 

2017 — Ramblers 30, Marist 10 (Class 8A state quarterfinals)

2015 — Ramblers 41, Marist 0 (Class 8A state final)

 

 

0 — Defensive touchdowns scored by the Ramblers this season. They had six a year ago. Jack Burke ‘19 led the team with three, while Armoni Dixon ‘19, Eddie Eastman ‘19 and Jake Gonzalez ‘19 each had one. 

 

14 — Ramblers who have scored at least one TD this season. Senior Darrell Poku, junior Matthew Moran and junior Jalen Williams all scored their first TDs on Friday. A year ago, 13 players scored at least one TD. 

 

38 — Shutouts in 184 games under Loyola Head Coach John Holecek since he took over in 2006. Friday’s 52-0 win over Marian Central was the first this season. 

 

100 — Percentage when the Ramblers attempt to run or pass after scoring a TD. They are 5-for-5 this season. 

 

471 — Total yards on offense against Marian Central. The Ramblers were balanced, passing for 241 and rushing for 230. They finished with 24 first downs. Loyola allowed only 107 yards and three first downs on defense. The Hurricanes went 1-for-11 on third-down attempts. 

 

 

Senior captain and receiver Matty Mangan is a rare two-year starter at Loyola with ambitions of joining an exclusive club that includes players with back-to-back football state titles. After playing tight end last year, the 6-3, 190-pound Mangan is the team’s featured receiver and college recruit. He has 20 catches for 334 yards and six receiving TDs. A product of Sacred Heart School in Winnetka, he’s the youngest of four Mangan children — all boys — to play two sports for the Ramblers, following Jim ‘13, Mike ‘15 and Pete ‘18. Matty’s uncle, John Mangan, was an All-American tennis player at Georgia. 

 

It’s not unusual for Loyola football teams to break in new starters each season. But the team lost a lot of players with experience from a year ago. As you enter the final game of the regular season, how do you rate the development of the newcomers? 

 

MANGAN: [Loyola Head Coach John] Holecek has preached for weeks now that we are all veterans now. There are no more excuses. Everybody has plenty of games under their belts. It took some time to learn the varsity game and how to handle the moment, but that’s over. I think we have a strong senior class, but these juniors are special and are carrying a big load for our team. We are doing our best to lead them the right way.

 

You’re the primary pass-catcher on a run-heavy offense. What is the role of a receiver with regards to the running game?

 

MANGAN: Everybody has a job to do on every play. [Receivers coach Pat] Naughton and [offensive coordinator Tyler] Vradenburg preach nonstop about how important it is for us to block. We have talented running backs who all can do incredible things with the ball. [Junior] Vaughn [Pemberton] doesn’t go down on first contact. [Senior] Tyler [Flores] runs tough. [Senior] Trevor [Cabanban] can spring out of weird situations at the line and get downfield. The receivers have to stay with our blocks because it could be the difference in a long run or a touchdown. The coaches are vocal about blocking until the whistle.

 

Junior JT Thomas took over as the starting quarterback in Week 5. How do you evaluate what he’s done? 

 

MANGAN: He showed me a lot when he came into Mount Carmel game in the second half. Even though he made some mistakes, he handled it well and had a great attitude. We knew it would be a learning experience for him. JT is smart, and the offense is clicking with him. 

 

You’ve gained the attention of college coaches and have received preferred walk-on offers from Iowa State and Northern Illinois. Your brother, Mike Mangan ‘15, played college basketball at Rochester. How’s the recruiting process going and what are your plans after high school? 

 

MANGAN: I’m open right now. I’m grateful for the offers I’ve received, and it’s something I’m considering. But nothing is for sure. I’m worried about doing my job and not about impressing anybody. Mike’s been a big help. He’s told me if you want to play at the next level, you’ve got to love it. It’s a full-time job. I’m pretty relaxed about it right now. 

 

 

The defending Class 8A state champion Ramblers will return to the IHSA state playoffs for a 17th consecutive season after they earned their sixth win of the season. This week is important not only for seeding purposes, but a win and a Mount Carmel loss gives the Ramblers a share of the CCL/ESCC Blue championship. Loyola last won a league title in 2017. “Every week is a grind,” Loyola Head Coach John Holecek said. “[Marist] will be a great test of where we are.” ... For the third game in a row, junior quarterback JT Thomas didn’t throw an interception. He finished 16-for-19 for 230 yards and three TDs against Marian Central. It was the most yards he’s passed for this season. Junior Aidan Brownlee has emerged as a reliable receiver for the Ramblers. He had four catches for 63 yards and two TDs on Saturday. Brownlee is second on the team to senior Matty Mangan in receptions (20), receiving yards (230) and receiving TDs (3). “He’s got the quickness, the velocity, the sharp breaking ability and the hands,” Holecek said. “If they don’t cover him, he’s going to be a problem for the defense. We have so much talent on offense. We have running backs and receivers with big-play capabilities. We have to make to sure we are solid on defense and don’t give up big plays.” ... Marist is in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014. It’s due in part to a difficult schedule that features two defending state champions, one that placed second and four others which qualified for the playoffs. All four losses have been by 10 points or less to teams that are a combined 28-4. ... The RedHawks employ the two-quarterback system. Senior Hayden Mikesell and sophomore Montreal Jackson Jr. both have played in all eight games. Mikesell is more accurate and has been slightly more productive. He’s completed 54.2 percent of his passes and thrown for 485 yards and five TDs. He’s also run for 247 yards and scored three TDs. The two have combined to throw eight interceptions. ... Marist Head Coach Ron Dawczak replaced Pat Dunne, who led the RedHawks to two second-place finishes in Class 8A in nine seasons. ... In addition to celebrating the seniors Saturday, Loyola’s 1969 football team — one of the best in program history — will be recognized between the first and second quarters. The Ramblers went 11-0 and won the Prep Bowl. Loyola Head Coach Bob Spoo was named the Chicago Catholic League’s Coach of the Year. ... Loyola President Rev. Patrick E. McGrath is a 1984 graduate of Marist and played golf for the RedHawks. ... Saturday’s game will be WCIU’s Game of the Week. http://www.wciu.com/gameoftheweek/

 

 

“We have a bunch of kids [on our team] who will play next year, so it was good to get them some reps. It’s fun to see.” — Loyola Head Coach John Holocek