CSNChicago.com preps reporter "Edgy" Tim O’Halloran spotlights 100 high school football teams in 100 days. The first 75 team profiles will focus on teams making strides across Chicagoland and elsewhere in the state. Starting Jul. 31, we’ll unveil the @CSNPrepsTop 25 Power Rankings, leading up to kickoff on Friday, Aug. 25.
School: Loyola Academy
Head Coach: John Holocek
Assistant Coaches: Beau Desherow, Tim Feldheim, Pete Devine, Mike Dooley, Tyler Vradenburg, Mike Kotowski, Pat Naughton, Ryan Gallagher
How they fared in 2016: 13-1 (4-0 Chicago Catholic League Blue Conference), made the Class 8A state playoff field, defeated O'Fallon, Oswego East, Huntley and Glenbard West before losing to Maine South in the Class 8A state title game.
2017 Regular Season Schedule:
August 26th vs Phillips at Gately Stadium
September 1st vs Bishop Amat at New Trier
September 9th vs Mount Carmel
September 15th @ St. Francis
September 23rd vs Fenwick
September 29th @ St. Rita
October 7th vs Leo
October 13th @ Providence Catholic
October 21st vs Brother Rice
Biggest storyline: Can the Ramblers replace 16 graduated starters and not skip a beat in 2017?
Names to watch this season: Senior OL Charlie Gross (Fordham) Senior DL Marty Geary Senior RB Hamid Bullie
Biggest holes to fill: The Ramblers will need to replace 9 starters on offense.
EDGY's Early Take: If any program in the State of Illinois has proven that they can reload year in and year out, it's the Ramblers under head coach John Holocek. Loyola will no question have challenges starting Week 1 against Phillips, yet the program remains strong at all levels. Keep an eye on several new faces including QB Quinn Boyle along with WR Noah Jones and TE Charlie Gilroy.
