Jack Badovinac and the rest of the Loyola offensive line had just been told they were legendary.
It was genuine praise, and it came not from teammates, fans or family but the man who turned the Ramblers into a football machine.
The rare playoff matchup between reigning state champions between No. 1 Loyola and No. 4 Glenbard West turned out to be a mismatch Saturday afternoon. So obvious was the offensive line’s role in Loyola’s 42-13 victory that Badovinac made sure others got credit too.
“Running backs were running hard,” Badovinac said. “Quarterbacks making great reads, clicking with receivers. We played great today. Everyone was having fun.”
That had been the state of Loyola football for the previous 29 games, and the Ramblers ran their winning streak to 30 in the Class 8A semifinals at Duchon Field in Glen Ellyn.
Kyle Rock rushed for 167 yards on 29 carries, and tight end/Wildcat quarterback Jake Marwede totaled 105 yards and two touchdowns on nine touches. Tommy Herion returned from last week’s injury to throw two touchdown passes and run for a score as the defending 8A champs advanced to the title game for the fourth time in six seasons.
Loyola (13-0) will be opposed by a familiar foe, Maine South, next Saturday night in Champaign. The Ramblers outlasted the Hawks 44-43 in Week 2; Maine South eliminated Loyola in the playoffs each year during its 2008-10 8A three-peat.
“They (Glenbard West) had very few (14) plays in the second half,” Loyola coach John Holecek said. “Credit to our offensive line. It’s been a special two years for that group. The only thing I regret is that the Badovinacs don’t have more kids.
“On film I didn’t think these guys had any weakness. They were really a complete team. When you come in here, in this place, and put on this performance, our offense, not punting. Unbelievable.”
Glenbard West (10-3) was less than 20 seconds away from going into halftime even. But Herion and Marwede hooked up on a 39-yard bomb followed by a 5-yard fade that gave the Ramblers a 14-7 lead.
Loyola unleashed Marwede’s power formation early in the third quarter to go up 21-7. Herion, David Terrell Jr. and Tomas Henning also took turns in the end zone as Badovinac, John Brekke, Paddy Kotowski, Cal Brien, Charlie Gross and Brian McTague made sure Loyola’s next three possessions were touchdowns.
“Their offensive line, those dudes wear on you,” Glenbard West coach Chad Hetlet said. “If you’re out there an extend period of time your defense is going to fall apart.
“I felt good at halftime with where we were and what we were able to do. We just couldn’t get a stop in the second half. I think our kids played really hard. That’s just a really good football team. They are a legit No. 1 team. I don’t see how someone is better than them.”
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Player of the game: Kyle Rock, Loyola, 29 carries, 167 yards, TD.
Key performers: Loyola — Jake Marwede, 5 carries, 43 yards, TD; 4 receptions, 62 yards, TD; Tommy Herion, 14-18 passing, 182 yards, 2 TDs; David Terrell Jr., 6 receptions, 85 yards, TD. Glenbard West — Ryan Diver, 12 carries, 83 yards, TD.
