Loyola ends Lincoln-Way East's season for the fourth consecutive year as Catholic League dominance continues

The seeds for the game of the year were planted during the summer, when junior quarterback Jonas Williams transferred from Bolingbrook to Lincoln-Way East.

It appeared that the state’s elite public school program had the difference-maker who could end the Catholic League’s stranglehold on Illinois high school football.

A massive crowd showed up in Frankfort on Saturday to see if that would happen. It did not. Loyola ended Lincoln-Way East’s season for a fourth consecutive year with a 27-24 victory in the Class 8A semifinals.

“They have our number,” Griffins coach Rob Zvonar said. “We aren’t going to pretend they don’t. It’s just an elite-level program with elite-level coaching. They are just a wonderful, amazing program that knows how to win.

“We’ve played eight quarters of football against them in the last two years, and their punt team hasn’t been on the field.”

Loyola took over in the third quarter. The Griffins (12-1) led 16-13 at halftime, but the Ramblers opened the second half with a long, confident drive anchored by quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald’s running ability.

That was Loyola’s recipe for an undefeated season in 2023. Fitzgerald picked up an injury early this season that has limited his running. But he was back to his old ways against the Griffins.

“It’s the semifinals against Lincoln-Way East,” Fitzgerald said. “I don’t care what bumps and bruises I have. I’m just going to put my head down and beat you.”

Fitzgerald had 21 carries for 70 yards. He was 22-for-29 for 222 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. Fitzgerald connected with Gavin Vradenburg for a four-yard touchdown with 5:12 left in the third quarter to put the Ramblers ahead for the first time at 20-16. They never trailed again.

“We had to score,” Fitzgerald said. “We were down and had to bring the momentum back to our side and send a statement that this game is not over.”

Iowa-bound running back Drew MacPherson had 13 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown for Loyola (11-2). Conlon Kane caught six passes for 71 yards.

Williams and Lincoln-Way East started hot, scoring on a 72-yard pass on the third play of the game. The Griffins led 13-3 late in the first quarter after Williams connected with Talan White for a second touchdown pass.

Williams was 13-for-24 for 279 yards. The Oregon recruit also had 10 carries for 37 yards. But Lincoln-Way East didn’t complete a pass in the second half until the last three minutes.

“They’re a prolific offense and very well coached,” Loyola coach Beau Desherow said. “We knew in the first half they caught us on a few things. We didn’t change much, just some calls and rotations and took away the underneath stuff and dared them to beat us deep.”

Loyola will face York in the Class 8A state championship game at ISU on Saturday. The Ramblers have won the last two 8A titles. Mount Carmel, which has won the last two 7A titles, will face Batavia in the 7A title game. And Nazareth, which has won the last two 5A titles, will face Joliet Catholic in the 5A championship.

Private schools went 6-0 against public schools in the semifinals Saturday.

“It showed that [Lincoln-Way East] hadn’t played a four-quarter game all year,” Fitzgerald said. “That’s a problem. Obviously, they are a public school, and they play those teams. It’s not fair to them that they don’t get to play the best competition. They just don’t get to have those games in the regular season where they play four quarters against the best teams in the state.’’