Loyola doesn’t travel to New Lenox for a tie. The young Ramblers went for the win on Friday against Providence and failed on a two-point conversion with 20 seconds left to lose 21-20.
Any Loyola loss is major moment in local high school football, and many took the defeat as proof that the Ramblers are just not good enough to be serious state title contenders this season.
Loyola would certainly be heavy underdogs against undefeated Mount Carmel and Lincoln-Way East if the Class 8A playoffs started tomorrow.
But they don’t.
The Ramblers finish the season with home games against Carmel and Mount Carmel. Loyola is currently 4-2 and didn’t play a game Week 2. Just qualifying for the state playoffs is the first step.
But the sophomore-laden Ramblers will pick up valuable experience in those two games and will be a very tough out in the state playoffs. Remember, this is a program that won the Class 8A state championship in 2018 after starting the season 3-3.
One definite takeaway from what transpired in New Lenox is that Providence is steadily improving behind sophomore quarterback Dominic Vita and junior running back Broden Mackert. The Celtics were impressive in a win at Carmel back in September. They’ve lost to Lincoln-Way Central and St. Francis this season.
Providence will be one of the best teams in the Class 5A state playoff field, which also likely features Cary-Grove, Prairie Ridge, St. Francis and Kankakee.
Owen Lansu returns with style
Downers Grove North, one of the top preseason state-title contenders in Class 7A, disappeared from the spotlight over the last month while Owen Lansu sat out with an injury.
The Minnesota recruit returned against York in Week 7 and threw for 388 yards and four touchdowns. The Trojans held their own without Lansu, only losing at Glenbard West.
Downers Grove North is at Lyons and hosts Proviso East to wrap up the regular season.
The Class 7A field is deep and exciting. Brother Rice, Glenbard West, Normal, Carmel, St. Charles North, Lincoln-Way Central, Batavia and Lincoln-Way West have all been among the best teams in the state this year.
Another Owen
Lansu wasn’t the only Owen turning heads in Week 7. Wheaton-Warrenville South upset St. Charles North 33-7 behind 285 yards and five TDs from running back Owen Yorke.
Yorke had 40 carries in the victory, which puts the Tigers in play for their first DuKane title. Wheaton-Warrenville South, Batavia and St. Charles North are all 4-1 with two conference games remaining.
Mid-Suburban League showdown
Prospect picked up a nice win against Rolling Meadows in Week 7 but still didn’t crack the Super 25. The Knights are the best team in the area that hasn’t been ranked this season.
Rolling Meadows is only the second team with a winning record that Prospect has beaten this season. Stevenson is the other. The Knights’ only loss is at Palatine in Week 2.
Prospect is at Hersey in Week 8. The Huskies were ranked in the preseason, but then lost to Warren and Barrington. Hersey has knocked off five below .500 teams since then.
So this week is an ideal matchup for both teams. The game will go a long way in deciding the Mid-Suburban League East title and provide a chance for the winner to jump into the Super 25.