Team Preview: Loyola

<strong>Head Coach:</strong> <i>John Holecek</i> <strong>Mascot:</strong><em> Loyola</em> <strong>Twitter: </strong><em>@LAFootballAC</em> <strong>IHSA Enrollment:</strong><em> 2,028</em> <strong>2019 Record:</strong> 8-4 <strong>Star Player: </strong><em>OL, [player_tooltip player_id="20288" first="Josh" last="Kreutz"], SR</em> <strong>Breakout Star: </strong><em>ATH: [player_tooltip player_id="20364" first="Perrion" last="McClinton"], SR</em> <strong>Overview</strong> Loyola, to me, is one of the most consistent programs in all of Illinois. Every year they're in the playoffs and making deep runs in Class 8A. This year should be no different. On offense, they'll be led by senior offensive lineman, and Illinois commit [player_tooltip player_id="20288" first="Josh" last="Kreutz"]. Kreutz, to me, is pound for pound the best offensive lineman in Illinois, he's just a few inches shorter than the guys at the top. I'm excited to watch [player_tooltip player_id="20364" first="Perrion" last="McClinton"], who I'm told is making a full transition to wide receiver and has looked very good. Keep an eye out for running back [player_tooltip player_id="20363" first="Vaughn" last="Pemberton"], and tight end [player_tooltip player_id="20888" first="James" last="Kyle"], both currently hold FBS offers. Their defense is loaded with college prospects and will be led by senior defensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id="20305" first="Liam" last="Conaghan"] &amp; Harvard commit [player_tooltip player_id="20307" first="Brandon" last="Svets"]. Don't sleep on defensive back Marty Auer; the kid can flat-out ball. <strong>Offense</strong> <strong>2019 Offensive PPG:</strong><em> 29.0</em> <strong>Notable Returners:</strong> <em>QB: JT Thomas, SR</em> <img class="" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1247958693108256768/FfcSIHI__400x400.jpg" width="326" height="326" /> <em>OL: [player_tooltip player_id="20288" first="Josh" last="Kreutz"], SR</em> <img class="" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EchvpiCXgAAqfo_?format=jpg&amp;name=medium" alt="Image" width="488" height="251" /> <em>RB: Vaughn Vemberton, SR</em> <img class="" src="https://static.hudl.com/users/prod/9470164_1467c05f545245c2a5a53151b4c4dfa4.jpg" width="317" height="317" /> <em>ATH: [player_tooltip player_id="20364" first="Perrion" last="McClinton"], SR</em> <img class="" src="https://static.hudl.com/users/prod/9470133_ca438ffe455b43349a2d68bfa133e81a.jpg" width="323" height="323" /> <em>OL: Cooper Tamisiea, SR</em> <img src="https://static.hudl.com/users/prod/9470287_707d62ae42a045d0819e3cadca5421e2.jpg" /> <em>WR: <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/trevor-burnett/"><span class="name-pointer">Aidan Brownlee</span></a>, SR</em> <img src="https://static.hudl.com/users/prod/9470323_e7dd86f46f3f47b3913a027a32cfa226.jpg" /> <em>TE, [player_tooltip player_id="20888" first="James" last="Kyle"], JR</em> <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1191196670073212929/K35df6me_400x400.jpg" /> <em>RB, Marco Maldonado, JR</em> <strong>Notable Departures:</strong> <em>OL: Peter Gianaris</em> <em>OL: Christo Kelly</em> <em>RB: Tyler Flores</em> <strong>Defense</strong> <strong>2019 Defensive PPG:</strong><em> 14.7</em> <strong>Notable Returners:</strong> <em>DL: [player_tooltip player_id="20307" first="Brandon" last="Svets"], SR</em> <img src="https://static.hudl.com/users/prod/10266454_f118076f1d974dbb831b0b0ee35d2ae9.jpg" /> <em>DL: <span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="20305" first="Liam" last="Conaghan"]</span>, SR</em> <img src="https://static.hudl.com/users/prod/9470129_e4bcfd592f10440baf56f1119fe0f28b.jpg" /> <em>DB: Marty Auer, SR</em> <img src="https://static.hudl.com/users/prod/9470328_0cf46b2c5c38465aa21c0d65c116ebe0.jpg" /> <em>DB: Artist Benjamin, SR</em> <img src="https://static.hudl.com/users/prod/8053055_abd97f083150412a903a512b574bdc5c.jpg" /> <em>OLB: Braden Mullen, SR</em> <em>DL: [player_tooltip player_id="20917" first="Michael" last="Williams"], JR</em> <img src="https://static.hudl.com/users/prod/11262196_a1d0ad2f62af4ba78b1a2bb99731a64c.jpg" /> <em>DL: Logan Lindeman, SR</em> <img class="" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EStm2MxWkAE1UxU?format=jpg&amp;name=large" alt="Image" width="346" height="413" /> <strong>Notable Departures:</strong> <em>DB: Jack Nimesheim</em> <em>DL: Luke Desherow</em> <strong>2020 Schedule</strong> @ Marquette University (WI), 8/28 vs. Simeon, 9/5 @ St. Rita, 9/11 vs. Mt. Carmel, 9/19 vs. St. Ignatius, 9/26 @ Brother Rice, 10/2 @ Benet, 10/9 vs. Marian Central, 10/17 @ Marist, 10/23 <strong>Opponents 2019 Record: </strong><em>71-37</em> <strong>Opponents Win Percentage: </strong><em>65.74%</em> <strong>Top Storyline</strong> Who will be Loyola's go to playmaker on offense? Is it [player_tooltip player_id="20363" first="Vaughn" last="Pemberton"], [player_tooltip player_id="20364" first="Perrion" last="McClinton"], <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/trevor-burnett/"><span class="name-pointer">Aidan Brownlee or will somone else enter the fold?</span></a> <strong>Thoughts</strong> I think this Loyola team is extremely dangerous. They return almost their entire team from last year and have a little bit more of a favorable schedule entering 2020. However, the Catholic League is filled with playoff-caliber teams and will consistently test the Ramblers. I look at their week four matchup against Mt. Carmel as a monumental game. They fell to the caravan last fall 17-14 on a last-second field goal and have to be chomping at the bit to play the defending 7A State Champions again. On film, Loyola is so well-coached, and play fundamentally sound football. I see that brand of football paying off for them. I think Head Coach John Holecek could very well have his third State Championship team. If the Ramblers can get into the playoff with at worst a 7-2 record or at best a 9-0 record, they're going to be in very good shape with their playoff seeding. This could be key in not meeting fellow Catholic Leagues teams early on in the playoffs.