2nd-half Ramblers do it again to punch their ticket to state

Deja vu struck in more ways than one Saturday night in Frankfort.

Loyola Academy football came alive in the second half for a third straight playoff game, the Ramblers topped Lincoln-Way East for the fourth consecutive postseason and they are headed back to the state finals for the third straight season.

Loyola overcame a 10-point first-half deficit to conquer the Griffins 27-24 in the juggernaut IHSA Class 8A semifinal Saturday, Nov. 23.

Ramblers senior Drew MacPherson sprinted 15 yards to the end zone to seemingly put the game away at 27-16 Loyola with just over three minutes to play. But East wasn’t done.

The Griffins went down the field and scored in a minute, also converting a 2-point try to make it 27-24.

Loyola’s Conlon Kane recovered an onside kick, and a Ramblers’ first down would clinch the win.

On fourth and 1, the Ramblers drew the Griffins offside to pick up the first and punch their ticket back to state, where Loyola will attempt to win a third straight state title.

East, the tournament’s top seed, started the game off hot, scoring touchdowns on their first two drives. Loyola moved the football but converted field goals instead, falling to 13-3 and 16-6 holes in the first half.

Loyola found the end zone for the first time to cap a long drive right before the half. Quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald connected with tight end Brendan Loftus for a 12-yard score to close the gap.

Out of halftime, Loyola again marched down the field. This time, Fitzgerald found Gavin Vradenburg for a 6-yard touchdown to give Loyola its first lead.

Loyola will take on York, which bested Naperville Central also on Saturday, in the 8A title game on Saturday, Nov. 30.

Stay tuned to TheRecordNorthShore.org for a full report on this game with quotes and more highlights and photos.