Loyola Academy’s 35-14 victory over the York Dukes led to the high school’s third state championship in a row.
The Loyola Academy Ramblers entered Saturday night with a record of 11-2, in hopes of making their record 12-2. The team they needed to beat to achieve that record were the 11-2 York Dukes.
Each team had an exciting game in the semi finals prior to the 8a state championship. Number 2 ranked Loyola had an unusually rough start to their season losing two out of their first three games. They really turned the season around winning the rest of their games and beating renowned rivals Mount Carmel and Lincoln Way East.
The Dukes did not exactly have the regular season they were hoping for either. They had only lost two games, but lost both games against highly ranked opponents. Even with the Dukes not winning against any higher ranked teams in the regular season, they rolled through teams in the playoffs. They had a notable win against Naperville Central where they ended the game in one of the strangest ways possible: York took an intentional safety as time expired which secured their ticket to the state championship.
That takes us to a cold night at Hancock stadium in Normal, Illinois, home of the Illinois State University Redbirds. Both teams patiently waited after a delayed kickoff eager to take the field. York got the scoring started on a 74 yard rushing touchdown by Jimmy Conners. Loyola would then respond next by scoring on the following drive thanks to a 15 yard pass from Ryan Fitzgerald.
Loyola took the lead on a 12 yard rushing touchdown, but gave one right back to York. The game was tied 14-14 with 6 minutes to go in the 2nd quarter. Loyola punched in one more before the end of the half to take a 21-14 lead into the locker room.
The second half was all Loyola. Two more touchdowns by the Ramblers offense capped off this game as the Ramblers remained at the top of Illinois 8a football. It is a bittersweet ending to the year for the seniors as they have played their last high school football game.
Following the victory one of Loyola’s starting cornerbacks Michael Dooley weighed in on the season. Dooley is a senior who has been around football all of his life. His father is the linebackers coach for the Ramblers and a former college football player himself.
“The emotions after winning a state championship are indescribable. Not only was I ecstatic to have won, but I was also sad that this was my last go around with the sport, and with my teammates who I have played with for the past four years. A state championship is a shared experience with all of those a part of the team, and that is what makes it so special. It is around 100 guys who all have their own unique spot on the team, celebrating with one another over a win that will be remembered forever, and a legacy of a team that will be remembered forever.”
“This team was so special because everyone had a place on the team, and our brotherhood was unmatched. Losing games early in the season helped us to realize that we had to come together more than ever if we wanted any chance of winning. Coming closer made me realize that playing for yourself is fine, but when you are out there playing for your teammates and coaches, and laying it all on the line for one another, you can do something really special. Once we had this mentality, we were unbeatable. All of the times that were spent on the football field, game, or practice, made us closer as one, and this is not only starters but every guy on the team. We were able to put our pride to the side and play for one another, we learned to leave it all on the field, and have no regrets.”
Dooley did a great job summarizing just how special this season was for the ramblers. His playing career may be over but football will never leave him.
The Loyola Ramblers run of dominance is capped off by the grand prize. The Ramblers have definitely submitted themselves into conversations of one of the greatest high school football programs in the state. If not the greatest. Success at Loyola is a culture that looks to be continued for years to come.
