CN100 Game of the Week: Football Week 4 - Fenwick vs. Loyola Academy

WILMETTE – Coming into the season, Loyola was considered the top team in the state after coming up short in the Class 8A championship game for the Ramblers second runner-up finish in three years.
But it has been anything but smooth sailing for Loyola (2-1) leading into Saturday’s 1:30 p.m. Chicago Catholic crossover against Fenwick in a game that will be shown on CN100, The Comcast Network, at Noon and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21, and at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 23. You can also find the game throughout Chicagoland with Xfinity On Demand.
Loyola squeaked past downstate power Edwardsville 29-28 in overtime in Week 2 before falling to Brother Rice 16-13 in the Chicago Catholic Blue opener.
“We have committed too many turnovers and we have played very sporadically on offense the last two weeks,” said Loyola coach John Holecek, a former NFL linebacker. “We need more consistency and execution from all positions.”
The quarterback position has been in flux for the Ramblers. Senior DJ Melsheimer threw six picks against Edwardsville, but still got the nod last week. When he struggled early, junior Emmett Clifford relieved him. No matter who is under center, senior receiver Owen Buscaglia has had a big start to the season (19 catches, 303 yards, four touchdowns).
In the backfield, several players have toted the rock with junior Dara Laja doing the most damage with 176 yards and two touchdowns on 51 carries.
Defensively, senior middle linebacker Brian O’Brien recorded 26 tackles so far, while junior cornerback Sam Taylor has two interceptions.
Fenwick (2-1) experienced a resurgence the past three years with Gene Nudo taking over as head coach. The Arena League Hall of Famer has led the Friars to the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, reaching the Class 7A semifinals last year.
Fenwick’s lone loss this season came to Bishop Lynch out of Dallas. The Friars opened Chicago Catholic Green play with a 35-30 win over DeLaSalle last week.
The big news coming into the season was the transfer of senior quarterback Jack Beneventi from Benet. The Iowa recruit has fit in nicely so far, going 41-for-84 for 549 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions.
“We didn’t have an incumbent starter returning,” Nudo said. “We repped four guys all summer, with Jack earning the job after the first week of fall practice. Jack is a great kid … I think he is having a happy football experience at Fenwick.”
Senior running back Pat Donahue has made a big impact both on the ground and through the air. He has 281 yards and two touchdowns on 71 carries, while adding 14 catches for 177 yards and four more scores.
Other Beneventi targets include seniors Joe Buzinski (six catches, 118 yards, three touchdowns) and Franklin Taylor (five catches, 163 yards, two touchdowns).
“Fenwick is a well-coached team with kids that play hard, including two standout recruits,” Holecek said. “Their quarterback can throw any ball on the field and they have good talent at the receiver positions.”
Defensively, senior linebacker Mike Krecek has 23 tackles, senior defensive back Aaron Garland has an interception returned for a touchdown and senior defensive lineman Harry Bell has two sacks.
- Paul Johnson, CN100 Correspondent

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