Loyola Academy Vs. Brother Rice: 2018 IHSA 8A State Title Game

WILMETTE, IL — Despite a rough patch midway through the season, Loyola has returned to the IHSA Class 8A football state championship game for the fourth consecutive year and the fifth time in the last six seasons. The Ramblers face undefeated Catholic League rival Brother Rice at 7 p.m. Saturday in Champaign.

Loyola (10-3) began the season as one of the state's top ranked teams. After a 3-3 start, Loyola has gone on to win seven straight games, including a 24-16 playoff upset in the semifinals against Lincoln-Way East. Heading into last week's game, LWE had been undefeated for 26 games, including a victory over the Ramblers in last year's championship game.

Loyola Head Coach John Holecek has achieved a 145-30 record in his dozen years at the helm, and the Ramblers have made the playoffs every year since 2002. The defense has been dominant this year, as the Ramblers notched shutout victories against Oswego and Maine South on their way to Saturday's state final.

Brother Rice (13-0) last made it to the state finals in 1985. The Crusaders only win was in 1981, when they captured the Class 6A title with a record of 11-2. Last season, the team went 2-7.

Saturday night's game is a rematch of a Week 4 regular season game in which the Crusaders crushed visiting Loyola, 35-3 on Sept. 14. But the Ramblers were missing their starting quarterback after an injury the first week of the season.

UPDATE: Loyola Academy Defeats Brother Rice To Win State Championship »

CN100Sports Game of the Week Lincoln-Way East Griffins vs Loyola Academy Ramblers - Football
Class 8A – @LoyolaAcademy defeats @LWEastAthletics 24-16 to advance in the #IHSAState playoffs replay tomorrow info at https://t.co/OEJKKKhwlB pic.twitter.com/3mLLiMV06Z
— Chicago Comcast Network Sports (@CN100Sports) November 17, 2018

Loyola announced plans for watch parties at three local locations run by parents or alumni. Each will be offering "Rambler Specials," especially for those who show up in maroon and gold.

• Cortland's Garage, 1645 W. Cortland Street in Chicago
  • Thanks to Randy Roginski ('92) and Brian Roginski ('95)
• Firehouse Grill, 750 Chicago Avenue in Evanston
  • Thanks to Mike Fowler ('94) and Pat Fowler ('03)
• Nick's Bar & Grill, 1168 Wilmette Avenue in Wilmette
  • Thanks to Parents Jen and Pete Marino

Class 8A State Championship Game

Where: Memorial Stadium, Champaign

When: 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24

Who: Brother Rice (13-0) vs. Loyola Academy (10-3)

Last meeting: Brother Rice won, 35-3, at Gary Little Stadium earlier this season on Sept. 14.

Tickets: $10 per day

Watch here via IHSA TV

Television: NBC Sports Chicago | Channel Finder
Streaming: NBC Sports App | Order DVD

Storyline: A state championship game turns out to be the true finale for the traditional Chicago Catholic League. Two traditional Catholic League teams will face off for the state title in the final season before the league merges with the East Suburban Catholic Conference next year.

"This is a testament to how great the league is," said Brother Rice Head Coach Brian Badke.

A third Catholic League team, Montini Catholic (12-1), is vying for the Class 5A state title against Joliet Catholic (9-4) this weekend.

About Loyola

• Season Record: 10-3
• Last season: State runner-up, lost to Lincoln-Way East in 8A championship game
• Last week: Beat Lincoln-Way East, 24-16, in IHSA semifinal
• Previous state titles: 1993, 2015

Game By Game This Season:

8/24, Rockford, MI - W, 27-7
8/31, Winnetka (New Trier) - W, 41-3
9/8, Chicago (Mt. Carmel) - L, 12-17
9/14, Chicago (Brother Rice) - L, 3-35
9/21, Chicago (St. Ignatius) - W, 21-14
9/29, Lombard (Montini) - L, 27-28
10/8, Chicago (De La Salle) - W, 49-14
10/13, Chicago (St. Rita) - W, 33-3
10/20, New Lenox (Providence Catholic) - W, 28-7

IHSA Playoffs:

10/27, Minooka - W, 38-14
11/3, Oswego (H.S.) - W, 22-0
11/10, Park Ridge (Maine South) - W, 17-0
11/17, Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East) - W, 24-16

Full season statistics and complete roster here via IHSA

About Brother Rice

• Season Record: 13-0
• Last season: 2-7
• Last week: Beat Marist, 14-3, in IHSA semifinal
• Previous state titles: 1981

Game By Game This Season:

8/24 vs. Marist, W- 20-16
8/31 vs. Crete-Monee, W- 54-16
9/7 vs. Fenwick W, 35-3
9/14 vs. Loyola Academy, W- 35-3
9/21 vs. Providence Catholic, W- 20-0
9/28 vs. St. Rita, W- 21-14
10/5 vs. Aurora Marmion Academy, W- 40-0
10/12 vs. Leo, W- 48-0
10/19 vs. Lombard Montini, W- 31-0

IHSA Playoffs:

10/27 vs. Zion-Benton, W- 49-0
11/3 vs. Oak Park-River Forest, W- 27-27
11/10 vs. Gurnee Warren, W- 20-0
11/17 vs. Marist, W- 14-3

Full season statistics and complete roster here via IHSA