Top-ranked Loyola’s offense has three primary plays: running with Drew MacPherson, passing to MacPherson and running with quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald.
The key blocker on most of those Fitzgerald runs? MacPherson.
“[MacPherson] has breakaway speed,” Ramblers coach Beau Desherow said. “He’s also a really good receiver. His ability to block isn’t talked about enough. He’s a devastating blocker. He is a totally selfless player that will do whatever it takes to win.”
MacPherson leads Loyola (11-2) in touchdowns (19), rushing yards (1,038) and receiver yards (678). The Iowa recruit will be a major focus of York’s defense in the Class 8A state championship game at ISU’s Hancock Stadium on Saturday at 7 p.m.
On the other side, the key is Bruno Massel. The Dukes’ quarterback may be the fastest in the state. The senior qualified for the Class 3A state track finals last spring in the 100 meters and 4×100 relay, earning a medal in the latter.
Massel vs. Loyola’s stout run defense is the matchup that could decide the game. Mount Carmel and Lincoln-Way East, programs that pride themselves on consistent running attacks, didn’t even attempt to succeed on the ground against the Ramblers this season.
The Griffins called just four rushing plays in the semifinals against Loyola and the Caravan ran nine rushing plays in a Week 9 loss to Loyola.
“We take away the run pretty early,” Desherow said. “Our defensive line has done an amazing job and our linebackers have stepped up. They are players. Max Mendoza had an amazing game [vs. Lincoln-Way East].”
This is the first title game appearance for York (11-2) The Ramblers, Mount Carmel in 7A and Nazareth in 5A are attempting to three-peat and all are favorites.
Class 7A: Batavia (12-1) vs. Mount Carmel (10-3), 4 p.m. Sat.
This is a rivalry, but one-sided. Mount Carmel has ended Batavia’s last four seasons.
“The first time was a war,” Bulldogs coach Dennis Piron said. “The last three we had things happen in the first quarter and it got out of hand.”
The Caravan is young overall but has solid veteran leaders on both sides, including quarterback Jack Elliott and linebacker Matt Mucha.
“I’m the head coach but it is Jack Elliott’s team,” Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch said “It is not what I’m comfortable with it is what the kids see and what the kids trust. He comes with his own game plan on what we should run.”
Mucha has led the Caravan in tackles the last two seasons.
“Our defense is peaking at the right time,” Lynch said. “Mucha is the best linebacker in the state and will be one of the best players on the field Saturday.”
Batavia’s top weapon is senior running back Nathan Whitwell, who has rushed for 1,669 yards and 27 touchdowns. The Caravan is allowing 22 points a game this season and the Bulldogs’ best chance at an upset may be to get in a high-scoring shootout.
Class 6A: Geneva (12-1) vs. East St. Louis (12-1), 1 p.m. Sat.
The Flyers dominated Loyola in Week 1 and their only loss was 14-13 to IMG Academy, a prep school powerhouse from Florida. East St. Louis is the best team in the state.
Flyers’ quarterback Kendrick Lyons has thrown for 2,402 yards and 31 touchdowns. Keandre McClendon leads the team with 12 sacks.
Geneva counters with perhaps the most talented player in the state, Georgia recruit Talyn Taylor. The senior wide receiver has scored 27 touchdowns.
Class 5A: Nazareth (11-2) vs. Joliet Catholic (10-3), 10 a.m. Sat.
This could be the best game of the weekend. Nazareth is loaded with stars including quarterback Logan Malachuk and linebacker Gabe Kaminski. The Roadrunners have a special group of receivers in Garrett Reese, Jake Cestone, Trenton Walker and James Penley.
“Kaminski is a four-year starter and an awfully fun kid to watch,” Nazareth coach Tim Racki said. “He plays football the way it is meant to be played.”
The Hilltoppers don’t have a major star, just a lot of experience. It’s a testament to the strength of the program, which is tied with Mount Carmel for the most state titles, that it has advanced to another title game.
“This is probably the toughest schedule that I’ve been around as a coach or when I played here,” Joliet Catholic coach Jake Jaworski said. “We have definitely learned from those three losses.”
Running backs Larry Stringham (14 TDs) and Nate Magrini (13 TDs) lead the Hilltoppers’ attack.
Class 4A: DePaul Prep (10-3) vs. Mt. Zion (10-3), 7 p.m. Fri.
The Rams’ Cinderella run to state is the best story of the playoffs. DePaul Prep has a daring offense, led by daring quarterback Juju Rodriguez, running back Nick Martinez and receiver Braden Peevy.
Mt. Zion is a regular playoff contender but this is its first title game as well.
Class 3A: Montini (11-2) vs. Monticello (11-2), 4 p.m. Fri.
Montini’s losses this season are to larger Catholic League powers Marist and Fenwick. The Broncos, led by quarterback Israel Abrams (1,778 passing yards, 24 TDs) are heavy favorites.
Class 2A: Chicago Christian (12-1) vs. Maroa-Forsyth (12-1), 1 p.m. Fri.
The school from Palos Heights led by first-year coach CJ Cesario could have its hands full with the Maroa-Forsyth, one of the state’s traditional small school powers. The Knights’ offense is well-balanced with Christian Flutman throwing for 23 TDs and Kenny Jager rushing for 27.