Week 10 Football Preview

 

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: Dave Inserra, 19th season (196-30)

Conference: Central Suburban League South

2018: 10-2, 5-0 Central Suburban League South, Lost in Class 8A quarterfinals

 

 

 

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

L Marist 14-6

 

 

L Glenbard West 45-28

L Mount Carmel 21-7

W Fremd 35-21

W Palatine 35-27

W Niles West 28-0

W Evanston 41-0

W Glenbrook North 40-10

W Glenbrook South 28-3

W New Trier 44-7

 

 

(conference, overall)

 

Mount Carmel 3-0, 9-0

Loyola 1-2, 6-3

Marist 1-2, 4-4

Brother Rice 1-2, 5-4

 

 

Notre Dame 2-1, 7-2

Montini 2-1, 7-2

St. Rita 2-1, 6-3

Providence0-3, 6-3

 

 

Nazareth 3-0, 9-0

Benet 2-1, 6-3

St. Laurence 1-2, 5-4

De La Salle 0-3, 3-6

 

 

St. Viator 2-1, 4-5

St. Patrick 2-1, 3-6

Marian Central 1-2, 4-5

Carmel 1-2, 2-7

 

 

Marian Catholic 3-0, 5-4

Leo 2-1, 3-6

DePaul Prep 1-2, 3-6

St. Joseph 0-3, 1-8

 

 

Joliet Catholic 3-0, 6-3

Marmion 1-2, 6-3

Fenwick 1-2, 5-4

St. Ignatius 1-2, 5-4

 

 

 

Luke Desherow Sr DL

 

A captain and all-CCL/ESCC Blue first team selection, the 6-5, 225-pound defensive end finished the regular season with 11 quarterback hurries, four tackles for loss, two sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. 

 

Matty Mangan Sr WR

 

Mangan, another captain and first team all-conference pick, was the team’s top receiver. The 6-3, 190-pounder caught 23 passes for 363 yards and six touchdowns. 

 

Luke Pezza Sr WR/DB, Max Marino Jr OL/DL

 

Senior Christo Kelly, a starter on the offensive line, said the Ramblers are grateful for teammates like Pezza and Marino, both of whom are invaluable members of the scout team. “We need those guys,” Kelly said. “They give us the looks and the techniques of our opponents and do it at full speed.”

 

Vaughn Pemberton Jr RB

 

In a crowded backfield, Pemberton was first on the team in rushing yards (685) and rushing TDs (12). He averaged 7.9 yards per carry. 

 

Josh Kreutz Jr OL

 

After a hand injury sidelined him early in the year, Kreutz started the final three games of the regular season. Since his return, Kreutz has played right guard. He opened the season at center.

 

 

Ryan Kilburg Sr WR/DB

 

A two-way player, the 6-1, 187-pounder is one of the most valuable members of the Hawks. A Western Michigan recruit, Kilburg stars on the defensive end at safety. He has two interceptions. 

 

Danny Lazic Sr WR

 

Another versatile player, Lazic lines up at receiver, can run the ball and is the team’s featured kickoff and punt returner. He also played quarterback when starter Luke Leongas was out with an injury. 

 

Peter Skoronski Sr OL/DL

 

The 6-4, 275-pounder starts on both sides of the line and is Maine South’s best player. One of the country’s top-rated offensive guards, according to 247sports.com, Skoronski is verbally committed to Northwestern. He also plays basketball and participates on the school’s track and field team. 

 

Luke Leongas Jr QB 

 

Another in a long line of good signal-callers for the Hawks. Leongas hurt his knee in the second quarter of the opener and missed two full games. The Hawks haven’t lost since he returned under center. 

 

 

2018 — Ramblers 17, Maine South 0 (Class 8A state quarterfinals)

2016 — Maine South 27, Ramblers 17 (Class 8A state final)

2016 — Ramblers 44, Maine South 43

2015 — Ramblers 49, Maine South 8

2013 — Ramblers 35, Maine South 0 (Class 8A state quarterfinals)

2010 — Maine South 29, Ramblers 22 (Class 8A state semifinals)

2009 — Maine South 21, Ramblers 14 (Class 8A state semifinals)

2008 — Maine South 26, Ramblers 7 (Class 8A state second round)

 

 

2 — Plus turnover margin for Loyola, which has 13 takeaways to 11 giveaways. It’s the same spread at the end of the regular season last year.   

 

6 — Lowest point total of season for Ramblers, who lost to Marist 14-6 at home Saturday. It was the first time this year Loyola didn’t score a touchdown. 

 

7 — Ramblers selected to the CCL/ESCC Blue all-conference first team. Seniors Luke Desherow, Peter Gianaris, Christo Kelly, Anthony Kozlowski, Matty Mangan and juniors Josh Kreutz and Nate Van Zelst all earned the honor for the first time. 

 

12 — Consecutive seasons in which the Ramblers have won their opener in the IHSA playoffs. Loyola has won at least three state postseason games in nine of the last 10 years. 

 

28.5 — First down-conversion percentage of Loyola opponents on third down. Conversely, the Ramblers have turned 43.9 percent of their third downs into first downs. 

 

 

Offensive lineman Christo Kelly is a senior captain and two-year starter for the defending Class 8A State Champion Ramblers. The 6-3, 275-pound left tackle and all-CCL/ESCC Blue first teamer is instrumental to an offense that averages 214.8 rushing yards a game and 6.4 yards per play. A graduate of St. Francis Xavier in Wilmette, Kelly is verbally committed to Holy Cross. His older brother, Hugh Kelly ’18, is a freshman football player for the Crusaders. 

 

What did the team learn from Saturday’s loss to Marist?

 

KELLY: It gave us a glimpse of what can happen if we are not prepared mentally and physically for a game. We were the better team that day, but we didn’t play like it. We saw how easy it is to play a terrible game and lose. If we do that now, we are done.

 

How have practices been this week?

 

KELLY: Intense. There’s a sense of urgency there. I think last week we were relaxed about our preparation. I’m excited about our morale and effort going into the playoffs. 

 

Given the history between the two programs, are you treating Maine South like any other opponent?

 

KELLY: Honestly, no. We can’t look at them like that. We know each other well, and we know it’s going to be a hostile environment. I was at [senior running back] Tyler Flores’ house watching the selection show on TV. Everybody there wanted Maine South or Notre Dame. We wanted a rivalry game. It’s going to be high energy, and we are excited.

 

Who’s an unsung member of the offensive line?

 

KELLY: [Junior right tackle] Cooper Tamisiea. His brother [Jack Tamisiea ’16] was on the 2015 team. Cooper’s really stepped into his role and done a phenomenal job. I went to grade school with him and have been teammates with him for a long time. It’s cool to see him grow and gain confidence as a player. 

 

It took time, but you’ve found an identity as a run-first offense. [Senior left guard] Peter Gianaris told me linemen love that. 

 

KELLY:  We’ve definitely embraced the ground it and pound it. It’s awesome to string together long drives that keep our defense off the field and rested. It makes us a better team, especially in the playoffs. If we can run the ball well, we will be happy.

 

 

The defending Class 8A state champion Ramblers are in the IHSA state playoffs for the 17th consecutive season. This is the second year in a row they will start the postseason on the road. ... In addition to placing seven players on the CCL/ESCC Blue first team, six Ramblers were named to the all-conference second team. Seniors James Kennedy and Jack Nimesheim were honored, along with juniors Aidan Brownlee, Liam Conaghan, Vaughn Pemberton and Kyle Zupec. Conaghan had a team-best 10 tackles for loss, while Zupac was first with eight pass break-ups. With Kennedy’s selection, four of Loyola’s five offensive linemen earned all-league honors. ... Maine South is in the IHSA state playoffs for the 28th consecutive season. The Hawks have won seven in a row and captured the CSL South championship with a 5-0 record. They lost to Glenbard West and Mount Carmel, both of which finished 9-0. Under Head Coach Dave Inserra, Maine South has won four state titles and taken second three times. Inserra earned his 200th career win October 4, 2019, in a 41-0 victory over Evanston. He’s the program’s leader in wins. ... Maine South senior lineman and Northwestern recruit Peter Skoronski is a football legacy. His grandfather, Bob Skoronski, was a captain and offensive lineman on the Green Bay Packers, helping the franchise to five NFL championships. A member of the organization’s Hall of Fame, he was one of nine players to suit up for all of Vince Lombardi’s teams. ... The Hawks are known for producing college players at the quarterback position. They have sent five players to Division I programs since 2005. Matt Alviti ’13 was the most recent. He played at Northwestern. ... Saturday’s game will be re-aired at noon Sunday on CN100. 

 

 

“The mental game is important this time of year.” — Loyola senior offensive lineman Christo Kelly