Loyola 48, Lane 7
THE SKINNY
The top-seeded Ramblers football team (9-1) scored on its first five possessions Saturday and rolled to the win in its Class 8A playoff opener against the No. 16 Indians (5-5). Most of Loyola’s starters sat out the second half. The Ramblers play at No. 9 Notre Dame at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 in the second round.
TURNING POINT
A botched punt by Lane after a high snap led to Loyola’s third score — a 5-yard run by senior Julius Holley — and a 17-0 lead with 2 minutes, 36 seconds to go in the first quarter.
THE STAR
In his second start after missing two games with a left (throwing) shoulder injury, Loyola senior quarterback Jack Penn was sharp with both his arm and his feet. In two quarters, he went 5-for-7 for 57 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a 21-yard touchdown.
BY THE NUMBERS
Holley looked strong early, totaling 71 yards and a score on the ground on six carries in the first quarter. Senior running back Johnny Burns ran 12 times for 113 yards and a touchdown in the second half. Junior Mike Kurzydlowski kicked field goals of 30 and 18 yards. Loyola limited Lane to 38 yards and one first down in the first half. Lane junior Malik Hamilton scored his team’s touchdown on a 5-yard run in the fourth quarter.
QUOTABLE
“(Notre Dame) is a very good team. They look a lot like us. (Running back Chris) James is a difference-maker. We have got to find a way to bottle him up. They are solid all the way around.” — Loyola coach John Holecek
