Brother Rice's defensive line dominates Loyola, ends the Ramblers' 13-game winning streak

Loyola arrived on the South Side as winners of 13 consecutive games and three consecutive Class 8A state championships.

“[Loyola] is the premier program in the state from top to bottom,” Brother Rice coach Casey Quedenfeld said, standing in the end zone after his No. 4 Crusaders knocked off the No. 3 Ramblers 28-6 on Friday.

For the past several years, a Loyola loss was always more about Loyola than the team that knocked them off.

But not on Friday.

Brother Rice entered the season full of potential, with an experienced quarterback and an incredibly talented defensive line. The season started off well, with wins against local rivals Marist and St. Rita, but beating the Ramblers sends a message to the rest of the state.

“This is the first time we’ve beaten them in seven years,” Crusaders defensive lineman King Liggins said. “It’s a big win. We wanted to do something that hadn’t been done in a while.”

Liggins, an Illinois recruit, led a dominant defensive line. Sophomore lineman Kameron McGee had two sacks, a crucial tackle for a loss and knocked down a key pass.

“We have the best defensive line in the state,” Quedenfeld said. “[McGee] is not what he is without Liggins and Brayden Parks. Our front is dangerous, and they did their jobs tonight.”

Brother Rice (4-0, 1-0 CCL/ESCC Blue) held Loyola to eight rushing yards.

“It was hard for us to get our running game going,” Ramblers coach Beau Deshero said. “That defensive line is so talented. They are well-coached. They are a tall order. But that said, in the first half we were battling, we were there.”

Loyola (2-1, 0-1) closed the first half with a 28-yard field goal from Zak Zeman and trailed 7-6.

Brother Rice quarterback CJ Gray took over in the second half. Gray scored on a five-yard run in the third quarter and broke loose for a 71-yard TD early in the fourth quarter. Then he found Darrion Clinton for a 47-yard TD pass to close out the scoring.

“We had the utmost confidence,” Gray said. “We always thought we would win, and we came out and executed. On that TD run, I saw the hole and took it. Fast and physical—that’s what we go by.”

Gray, an Army recruit, was 18-for-22 for 218 yards with two TDs and one interception. He had 10 carries for 89 yards and 2 TDs.

“We had a couple defensive linemen go down, so we had linebackers playing defensive line the whole second half,” Desherow said. “We were the walking wounded in the second half, defensively. But I give [Brother Rice] all the credit. They are a super talented team.”

Lucas Strang had six catches for 94 yards for Brother Rice, including a 21-yard TD that put the Crusaders ahead 7-3. Jovan Green caught five passes for 32 yards.

Brother Rice’s game wasn’t able to break any big plays other than Gray’s TD run, but Jaylin Green (nine carries, 28 yards) and Jameson Davis (11 carries, 39 yards) battled through to pick up crucial yardage on short downs.

“We are putting everyone on notice,” Gray said. “We are one of the best teams in the state.”

Crusaders fans stormed the field after the game. Loyola is young this season, but beating the Ramblers means something.

Sophomore quarterback Matthew Lee, in his second start, was 14-for-29 for 149 yards for Loyola. He left the game after being sacked by McGee in the fourth quarter, and junior Dom Maloney took over for the final two drives.

“All their coaches do a phenomenal job, but any time you are playing in the Catholic League and there is a sophomore quarterback…kudos to that kid,” Quedenfeld said. “He did a good job.”