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I've just seen what I believe is one of the best, if not the best, defense I've seen in high school football in Illinois in the last 50 years. In fact, I've seen Loyola's defense in action on three occasions and I've never ceased to be impressed by its intensity, aggressiveness, depth, flexibility and versatility.
Oh, as fans and media, we tend to gravitate to the offense, the teams that average 40 or more points per game, the prolific passing teams, players such as St. Rita's Billy Marek, Maine South's Matt Perez, Wheaton Warrenville South's sensational passing attack of 1998 headed by Jon Beutjer and Jon Schweighardt and Joliet Catholic's 1999 powerhouse led by J.R. Zwierzynski.
But let's talk defense. Defense wins championships, remember? That's what we are constantly reminded of. That's what coaches preach. Defense, defense, defense.
But Loyola's defense, masterminded by former NFL linebacker John Holecek, is a joy to behold. In their last seven games, the Ramblers have allowed only five touchdowns, no more than one in any game. Their big test, of course, will come Saturday when they meet top-ranked Maine South in a Class 8A semifinal in Park Ridge.
What is particularly exciting about Loyola's defense is the leader is 5-11, 190-pound rush linebacker Pat Dougherty, who was named the Catholic League Blue's defensive player of the year. He is unblockable as he comes off the edge to terrorize quarterbacks. Just watching him is enough to make you glad you chose to attend a high school game instead of Northwestern/Illinois.
While Dougherty is the headliner, he has plenty of friends...tackle Chance Carter, who is committed to Northwestern, linebackers Jimbo Ford, Kyle Guziec and Tom Kelly and defensive backs Jimmy Bonner, Anthony Fassett and Shujaa Benson.
I've seen other great defenses. I'm sure you have, too. But I can't recall any of them that made such an impression.
Evanston's 1971 team, the best coach Murney Lazier ever produced, averaged 41.8 points in an 8-0 season while allowing only 38 and registering five shutouts, the last four in a row. But defensive end George Bridgeforth got little publicity.
Joliet Catholic's 1975 team, the best coach Gordie Gillespie ever produced, scored 434 points while winning the school's first state championship while allowing 80. The Hilltoppers allowed only five touchdowns during the regular season. Linebacker Roger Hewlett was the leader of the defense.
In 1976, Geneseo coach Bob Reade's best team was led by offensive star Wayne Strader but the defense registered four shutouts and allowed only two touchdowns in three other games.
St. Laurence's 1976 state championship team also boasted a physical, bone-jarring defense headed by Kevin Basic, whom coach Tom Kavanagh touted as the best player he ever coached, Jerry Barnicle, Mike Topps, Bill Baier and Pete Stanish.
Mount Carmel's 1988 squad, the best coach Frank Lenti has produced, scored 341 points while allowing 79. The Caravan allowed more than one touchdown in only one game and closed its magical season by beating three unbeaten teams.
But Loyola might not be the best defensive team of 2009. What about Glenbard North, which will test Marist and quarterback Mike Perish in another Class 8A semifinal this weekend?
Coach Ryan Wilkens' 4-3 defense is led by end Nick Abbate, the defensive lineman of the year in the DuPage Valley, end Chris Gavigan, linebackers Johnny Pullia and Chris Wahrman, cornerback Brandon Salemi and safety Andre Smith.
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I think the buck will stop this weekend in Park Ridge. Saw Loyola beat Evanston 23-9 in opener. For a couple of bogus calls on Evanston they might have lost the game. This game will be a mismatch. Maine South will spread Loyola out and make them defend the whole field. Catholic League does not have many prolific offenses in it. So I am saying Loyola's Defense is overrated even though they have Chance Carter.
i have seen St. Rita vs Loyola, WWS vs Maine South, Glenbard West vs. St. Charles North, WWS vs. Glenbard North and Glenbard North vs. Downers Grove South.
There are four defenses in front of Loyola.
In order,they are:
Glenbard West
Maine South (at least on the night against WWS)
WWS
Glenbard North (couldn't contain WWS, but a good defense)
You Guys are ridiculous and have absolutely no idea what your talking about did you see the game against Mt. Carmel this weekend they held them to one big play they got two interceptions caused a safety blocked a punt for a touch down and caused four fumbles three of which were from big hits. They are with out a doubt currently the best defense in the state it doesn't matter what they looked like on the season opener against Evanston but no way did you go to that game Evanston had less than 150 yards on the game and the only offensive point they scored was on a lucky run for 70 yards past the secondary that already had injuries with in.
LOYOLA IS THE REAL DEAL, NORTHWESTERN IS GETTING A GOOD ONE IN CHANCE CARTER!
COACH FITZ BIG TEN COACH OF THE YEAR!
I watched that Loyola/Mt Carmel game. Mt Carmel had no clue and no answer to the Loyola defense. That game was not even close. GBN has an awesome defense. They have only given up 73 pts all year. Yes they had their troubles with WWS. But since then they have been in top form. They have shut out their first 2 opponents in the playoffs. When they played Sandberg the talk was about if they would be able to stop their running game. Sandberg was held to a total of 47 offensive yards. They shut down Downers Grove passing game. They could not run against that stingy defensive line. The only reason they were even able to put 3 pts on the board was from a GBN fumble that gave Downers excellent field position on GBNS 20. The defense came up big and Downers had to settle for a Field Goal. Both GBN and Loyola will face high scoring offenses this weekend.
If Defense wins championships then the State Title could be between Loyola and GBN. That could raise more questions on who has the best defense.
Blah, blah. What is written essentially is meaningless.
Tim from Evanston doesn't recognize that evolution over the season is what matters. Has the unit gotten better? Absolutely. But, no respect for LA as usual.
Certainly, Ramblers face a tough test, but having this type of D and not having the luxury of playing a a soft conference speaks volumes. Enjoy the sour grapes, and as far as Saturday is concerned, let's see who is truly tougher (and a better representative of what hs sportsmanship should be!!!)
Loyola's defense is very good, as is their Catholic Blue counerpart at Providence. What sets them apart from most defenses today is their tackling ability. Sadly the one on one, break down in a good football position art of tackling has gone the way of the Edsel or at least Taylor Bell's fashion choices for a 65 degree day. With the spread offenses of today tackling has been replaced by roping opponents shoulder pads until help arrives or pushing the ball carrier out of bounds. That said I think Loyola will beat Maine South behind that maginificent defense and a very underrated QB/playmaker Will Forsyth, especially if they can grab a lead early. Looking forward to a Marist/Loyola 8A final.
Mr. Bell,
I know you have seen some games that I have seen this year. I was at Loyola when they hosted St. Rita. Your claim on Loyola’s defense is challenging for me. Mainly because I didn’t think St. Rita’s offense was very good and was still slightly one dimensional while missing a very important piece (Starks is no Akui with all due respect). What I don’t have here is the history, but even when compared to this year’s defenses I am not sure your claim will hold up. This weekend will be the test. And maybe I am biased as Loyola as an offensive team only puts up enough points to win (they don’t throttle teams on that side of the ball like others). We tend to look at the whole picture together which might be blinding me on their defensive capabilities.
Everyone has gone on and on about Glenbard North. Unfortunately, I saw them get hit by a truck called WWS. Not impressive. A one off? Don’t think so. I think good, solid top tier teams can beat them with the passing game (DGS didn’t have the line and horses to do it though; they certainly had the QB and RB). If Marist can hold their line for their QB this week, it may be a very good game with Marist prevailing.
Glenbard West? Impressive defensive. Fast with those other qualities you mentioned about Loyola: intensity, aggressiveness, depth, flexibility and versatility. And just relentless. I would say that they are the best defense I have seen this year in a game (not the best defense ever). Personally, I have them better than Loyola only because of their team speed and forcing errors.
I can’t compare defenses from past years past the last ten. I’d be interested in what your take on the ’06 Tiger defense didn’t have that you see in Loyola. They didn’t have the big D-I prospects and still tend to not have them (ie Pat Rooney, their All State cornerback and kicker is at I-AA Brown starting as a junior at wideout with field goal duties. And of course, Mr. Dierking would have been the best linebacker on the field if he played both ways…and one of the best in the State).
And then there is this year’s Maine South. Not the best defense clearly. But I think that their offensive weapons will be the difference this year and their defense will shut down an OK Loyola offense. It’s a good, adequate offense at Loyola. But it won’t be good enough against Maine South.
I’m sure Loyola needs to avoid a track meet on Saturday. They didn’t get in one with St. Rita because of Akui’s absence. They really can’t afford to get into one with Maine South either.
Ask Wheaton Warrenville South…
Tom, Mt. Carmel is not the benchmark for good. St. Rita was closer to the benchmark. Maine South will be the benchmark.
Good: Spot on my man.
Hey Good, you said you were not impressed with GBN defense. Yes they got hit by a truck (WWS). However they have made adjustments since and continue to dominate their opponets.
You also said: I think good, solid top tier teams can beat them with the passing game (DGS didn’t have the line and horses to do it though; they certainly had the QB and RB).
Well DGS had a passing game and running game. You said they did not have the offensive line to stop the GBN defense. Maybe it was because their defense is so good that they could not. DGS offensive line could not stop GBN lineman from pressuring the QB and the RB could not run as well. I would say that was because of their tough defense.
First off, Captb - I find it almost incredible you would place Maine South's D in front of Loyola's. Here are a few numbers for ya. Loyola PA = 83 ; Maine South PA = 180 not to mention 4 Catholic Blue teams almost all of which Loyola beat, and held Providence to one touchdown were in the quarterfinals. How many Central Suburban south teams made it??? anyway, aside from those obvious points, I just want to add to a quick point made by Joe H. Respect for Loyola??? Every single year I expect one thing, St. Rita, Mt. Carmel, and Providence to be pre-season ranked ahead of Loyola, well, this year was no exception. And just like every year past, Loyola beats the majority of those teams. St. Rita three years straight actually. Why does it take so much for people to see Loyola as a state power? Anyway, Loyola hasnt allowed more than a touchdown in 8 games! The most they allowed was 15 in their first victory over Mt. Carmel. What isn't clear people? Hopefully after Saturday some people will finally see the light, its unfortunate it has taken 13 weeks. Loyola is the real deal and with John Holecek , they will be for a while. Loyola got screwed with playing Maine South second round last season, but something tells me they're seeking serious revenge. Could there be any better set up?
I think it is possible that Loyola could slow Maine South's offense, but I also think Maine South is capable of shutting down Loyola. A slowed down Maine South vs. a shut down or even a slowed down Loyola equals a Maine South win.
I personally think if Loyola can play their game right, and all the little cogs fit together, we could see an upset in Park Ridge on Saturday. Now, about Glenbard North. They do have a very tough defense, there's no doubt about that. But, who isn't mentioned here is Marist's defense. They have a very tough defense also. Taylor Ventress accounted for an interception in the first round game against Schaumburg, and Dave Pirkle, who was just named player of the week, had 2 interceptions and a fumble recovery, two of the three occuring back to back. He picked off a pass. then, when marist ha to punt, he immediately forces a fumble. Why can't the Redhawks get a little respect here?
Having thought about it, I misspoke about Loyola's D. I think that they are in the Top 2. I was letting the offensive effort and overall team effort interfere with their defensive effort.
Nevertheless, Maine South's defense is better than Loyola's offense and Maine South's offense will score points on Loyola's defense.
I agree with Good on every point he made. As for Glenbard North, DGS did not have the offensive line that Marist has. That will be the difference.
Understanding over the years prior to last year Marist didn't have a lot to bring to the table with their football program. Obviously that has changed, but the can't get any respect this year after a great season last year, has really gotton old. I see there is mention here by a few, and since the Glenbard game most likely because of TV coverage, some eyes have been opened though Marist had a somewhat slow first half...with the help of a GOOD G.B.N. defense. Secound half Marist got their game together, and Marist's defense continued to hold their opponent to less points than most have given them credit all year. Good to see that another program is being noticed besides the usual. Go Red Hawks!