Loyola beat Mt. Carmel...

...today, 12-7, to improve to 6-0 on the season. The Ramblers have now beaten three high-quality opponents: Montini, Providence and now the Caravan. After Fenwick next week, the Wilmette squad still has to face Brother Rice on the road and St. Rita at home. That's a brutal schedule! (Who says the Catholic Blue isn't the best conference in the state?)

I arrived at the game late, due to another commitment. Seating was scarce, as you can imagine, so I sat on the visitors' side. (It's good to sit there once in a while; gives one the opportunity to stand up and yell "HOME COOKIN'!" whenever there's a questionable call by the refs.) Among the hoi polloi on the Carmel side were a couple of local celebrities, Maine South head coach Dave Inserra and Bears' legend Dick Butkus. (Caravan quarterback Don Butkus is his grandnephew.)

Mt. Carmel drew first blood when running back Brandon Greer exploded through the Loyola line for a 95-yard touchdown in the first quarter. The South Siders dominated the first half, although two touchdowns were called back by penalties. A possible third was stymied on a classic goal line stand by the Ramblers just before intermission. Loyola was lucky to be down only 7-6 at the half.

The Caravan squandered another scoring opportunity in the fourth quarter with a missed field goal, even with a strong wind at their backs. The North Siders took over and Weaver immediately hit running back Will Palivos, who was tackled from behind on a game-saver by -- who else? -- Brandon Greer. Weaver found receiver Conner Person -- into that same strong wind -- a few plays later in the end zone for the game's winning touchdown.

With this victory over last year's Class 8A runner up, Loyola now has to be talked about in the same breath as two other undefeated 8A teams: Maine South and Lincoln-Way East.