O’Brien: Maine South upsets Loyola to win 8A title

CHAMPAIGN — The streak is over. Maine South ended Loyola’s 30-game winning streak on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The Hawks’ defense staged a dominant second half as Maine South knocked off the Ramblers 27-17 in the Class 8A state championship game.

Loyola (13-1) led 14-10 at the half. The Hawks took the lead for good on a fantastic play by quarterback Nick Leongas. Maine South faced a third-and-nine with 8:28 to play in the third quarter. Leongras scrambled out of the pocket and found Luke Hinkamp for a 20-yard touchdown pass.

“We’ve prepared all of our lives for this moment,” Leongas said. “We all stuck together and did our jobs.”

“Nick just played an amazingly smart game,” Maine South coach Dave Inserra said.

Maine South (11-3) was able to handle Sun-Times Player of the Year Jake Marwede. Loyola’s secret weapon was held to just 16 yards on eight carries and had one reception for 25 yards. Marwede, who had been nearly unstoppable in the red-zone this season.

“They made plays when they needed to,” Marwede said.

Hawks kicker Sean McNulty, who had several long punts in the game, tied the Class 8A title game record with a 66-yard yard punt in the fourth quarter. He was also a major contributor on defense and kicked a 25-yard field goal in the second quarter and the clincher, a 15-yard field goal with 24 seconds to play.

“His kicks and punts were amazing,” Inserra said. “He made play after play on offense and defense.”

Hawks running back Fotis Kokosioulis was terrific throughout. He had 18 carries for 106 yards and two receptions for 44 yards.

Maine South quarterback Nick Leongas was 11-for-20 for 124 yards with one touchdown. He was a force on the ground near the goal line, with 20 rushes for 76 yards and two touchdowns.

Loyola quarterback Tommy Herion finished 11-for-19 for 159 yards and one interception. Running back Kyle Rock had 20 carries for 140 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown run.

Loyola beat Maine South 44-43 back in Week 2. That game was in Wilmette. The Hawks could have kicked an extra-point to tie the game at the end of regulation, but Inserra went for two.

It’s Maine South’s sixth state title, Inserra’s fourth. The Hawks won the Class 8A title in 2008, 2009 and 2010.