There was nothing ordinary about Loyola’s 49-28 win over Fenwick Saturday in Wilmette. In a game that saw each team throw an interception on their very first play from scrimmage, the Ramblers (6-1, 2-0) wore out the Friars (5-2, 2-0) in the crossover matchup of Catholic League division leaders.
“We just came out flat.” Loyola QB Peter Pujals said. “Flat” could be an understatement. Pujals completed four of his fist eight passes; two to Loyola receivers, two to Fenwick defensive backs. Two big gains were taken away from the Ramblers as well, as they committed four penalties amassing fifty yards. After two quarters of play, the Friars stood even with the 2nd ranked Ramblers, 14-14.
“We wanted to come out in the second half, and treat it as a new game”, said Pujals, who finished the day 15-31 for 264 yards. That the Ramblers did when Kristopher Coker returned the opening kickoff for a 95-yard score. The Friars, however, fought back with a big play of their own. After recovering a Pujals fumble in Loyola territory, Fenwick QB Gino Cavalieri scrambled away from the Loyola pass rush, and threw a prayer of a pass to WR Danny Lattner, who readjusted to the ball to make a spectacular catch in the end zone.
It wasn’t until their first drive of the fourth quarter that Loyola was finally able to pull away from the Friars. In response to an 80-yard touchdown pass from Cavalieri to WR Patrick Regan to begin the fourth, Pujals led the Ramblers on an 80 yard scoring drive. On 4th and 3 with 9:43 on the clock in a tie ballgame, Pujals scrambled for a first down and put the Ramblers at Fenwick’s doorstep. The very next play Pujals connected with senior two-way starter Luke Ford on a 14-yd fade route to the corner of the end zone, to put Loyola ahead for good.
The Friars were ready for the Ramblers. They quickly took a 7-0 lead on a blocked field goal returned 90 yards by defensive back Keshaun Smith. The Fenwick defense stifled the Catholic League’s top offense early, and continued to play strong late into the fourth quarter. “Our defense is always ready to step up. When we’re called, we’re always ready”, said Smith.
The Loyola defense handled the Fenwick ground game, dominating the line of scrimmage the entire game, allowing only two runs of over ten yards. One of those runs was a 32-yd dash by Robert Spillane, who turned the corner on the Loyola defense and ran up the sideline virtually untouched, tying the score at 14 just before halftime.
Loyola may have been looking ahead to its final two games against fellow CCL Blue members Brother Rice and St. Rita, or even the top-level teams that await them in the 8A playoff bracket. Pujals says the Ramblers will attempt to maintain their focus, and finish the season strong, “We learned we need to take it one game at a time, and focus on Brother Rice next week and we’ll go from there.”
The Friars look to close out their 2012 regular season with a CCL White division title, and look forward to an always tough 7A pool. The Friars are one win away from a guaranteed playoff berth, and the only obstacle that stands in their way of a division title is a Week 9 Showdown with De La Salle on 35th Street.
Jake Berent 