CN100 Game of the Week preview: Chicago Catholic League Championship - Loyola Academy vs. Brother Rice

CHICAGO – The one advantage enjoyed by teams in the Chicago Catholic League and the Chicago Public League is that if their season in the IHSA playoffs ends, it doesn’t necessarily spell the end of their seasons.
With the Prep Bowl, a Chicago tradition for decades looming around Thanksgiving, seasons are extended for the lucky few. Brother Rice and Loyola find themselves in that position Friday at 7 p.m. in the Chicago Catholic League Championship. The game will be broadcast by CN100 at Noon and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, and 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24. You can also find the game throughout Chicagoland with Xfinity On Demand.
The winner will face either Curie or Hubbard in the Prep Bowl next week.
Brother Rice (7-4) recovered from a 24-21 loss to defending Class 8A state champion Naperville Central in the first round of the IHSA playoffs with a 41-0 win over DePaul Prep to advance to this game. The Crusaders beat Loyola 16-13 in the first meeting.
Senior QB Alex Alarcon is a two-way threat offensively, passing for 2,294 yards, 18 TDs and 10 INTs. He’s also rushed for 651 yards and nine scores. His top target in the pass game is sophomore Ricky Smalling (64 catches, 880 yards, 9 TD).
Senior Marcus Jones continues to be a versatile threat, leading the team with 864 yards and 14 TDs on the ground, caught 35 passes for 570 yards and 5 TDs and also contributed 37 tackles and two interceptions on defense.
“Offensively, we need to be more consistent, play our tempo of football and protect the ball,” Brother Rice coach Brian Badke said.
In addition to Jones’ contributions defensively, senior LB Jim Opoka has 70 tackles and two INTs, while senior DL Robert Woods recorded 54 tackles, three sacks and 14 tackles for loss.
“Defensively, we need to play smart, fast and physical, create turnovers and eliminate any big plays,” Badke said. “Special teams were the difference in the game earlier this year, and it will be on Friday night as well.”
Loyola (9-3) also drew a tough IHSA playoff route, falling to the state’s top team, Stevenson 24-21 in the second round. A second win over St. Rita 31-3 put the Ramblers in the Catholic League title game.
Passing duties have been split three ways, but senior DJ Melsheimer is expected to start Friday. He’ll be looking for seniors Owen Buscaglia (56 catches, 789 yards, 11 TD) and Spencer Cecola (37 catches, 469 yards, 6 TD).
The backbone of the Ramblers’ offense comes on the ground. Junior Dara Laja leads the way with 923 yards and 5 TDs. Senior John Saliba adds 311 yards and five scores. Senior OLB Mark Nichol, one of the team’s top defenders (86 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, five sacks) also has eight rushing touchdowns in short-yardage situations.
Nichol fronts a rugged group of linebackers. Senior ILBs Cal Falkenhayn (81 tackles, 10 tackles for loss) and Brian O’Brien (110 tackles, three sacks, eight tackles for loss) anchor the middle. On the outside, senior DB Mark Dowdle has nine interceptions.
“Loyola is a very good football team, well coached, disciplined, play great defense and have a lot of weapons offensively, Badke said. “They are one of the top programs in the state of Illinois.”
- Paul Johnson, CN100 Correspondent

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