Loyola looked very impressive...

...last night in its 31-9 victory over Montini in Lombard. Rambler quarterback Malcolm Weaver (above) completed 14 of 24 passes for 211 yards. He connected with wide receiver Earl Webb for two touchdowns (including a beautiful 32-yard, over-the-shoulder catch in the end zone in the first quarter) and Marquese Martin-Hayes for another. Weaver also ran for a score.

When the Ramblers weren't passing, running back Spencer Perry was pounding the Bronco defense, rushing for 118 yards on 22 carries.

But the big story last night was Loyola's defense. Despite fielding 10 new starters, the Ramblers have yet to allow an offensive touchdown after two games. (I wonder how long it will be before someone does score on this team.) The Wilmette squad is huge -- much bigger than the defending Class 5A champion Montini. They seemed faster and more athletic, too. There's definitely a difference between 8A and 5A.

The Broncos' lone touchdown was on a graceful 89-yard kickoff return by Anthony Taylor in the second quarter. (If the Ramblers have an achilles' heel, it could be their special teams.)

After watching Loyola last year -- especially against eventual 8A champ Maine South -- I can't believe the Ramblers aren't getting more respect from the Chicago press. I'm sure they'll be ranked by both newspapers after this weekend, but if they continue to play this well in the next two weeks, against Providence and Mt. Carmel, I have to think they'll go deep in the playoffs. In fact, I'll predict that the Ramblers meet up with Stevenson -- another team to watch -- in the post-season. It could be a titanic battle between one of Illinois' stingiest defenses and one of its most productive offenses.
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Elsewhere, Mt. Carmel defeated the Caxys of Lake Forest Academy, 45-8. The Caxys?