Loyola Academy’s Mark Harvey was about to complete a spectacular 85-yard punt return for a touchdown when teammate Michael Kasper rolled in front of him trying to make the final block.
No problem. Harvey simply jumped over Kasper and continued into the end zone, igniting a 35-14 Catholic Blue victory over Brother Rice on Saturday at Hoerster Field in Wilmette.
“I was just trying to follow the great blocking and find some seams,” said Harvey, the 5-foot-7-inch, 165-pound tailback who cut back twice before that final leap to score the first time he touched the football.
“It was a great way to get our offense started.”
Harvey was the subject of a little good-natured teasing when his 56-yard breakaway in the third quarter was terminated 3 yards short of the end zone when Brother Rice’s Jeremy Rhodes tackled him from behind. Quarterback Peter Badovinac scored on a 1-yard keeper.
“Oh, that’s because he was cramping up,” said a laughing Badovinac, who also threw touchdown passes of 58 yards to Jack Begley and 36 yards to Tim Connelly.
“I got caught from behind so [Harvey] wouldn’t feel so bad,” said linebacker Matt Mugnaini, whose 45-yard interception return was 5 yards shy of a touchdown.
“I know a speed back like me is not supposed to get caught from behind,” said Harvey, who also scored on a 1-yard run. “The coaches were joking with me a little after that.”
Jumping out to a 35-7 lead by the middle of the third quarter lightened the mood for Loyola (3-0) in the conference opener for both teams.
“This is my third year, and everything seems more natural,” said Badovinac, who completed 7 of 10 passes for 141 yards with no interceptions. “I’ve got great blocking from the big guys up front, and I’ve also learned when to get rid of the ball.
“I’m no longer running around back there with my head cut off like I did my sophomore year. I have more confidence because I can see where a play is going.”
With blocking from Brian Mulroe (6-4, 260) — who has committed to Northwestern — Alec Kosminskas (6-2, 288), Brendan Skinner (6-3, 264) and Michael Bishop (6-2, 263), Harvey rushed for 111 yards on just 13 carries.
The Ramblers’ starting defense — headed by Patrick Hickey, Mugnaini, Brian Lindsay and athletic sophomore Chancellor Carter — limited Brother Rice (2-1) to Tom Gibson’s 5-yard TD pass to Neil Sullivan in the first quarter.
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bsakamoto@tribune.com
