Loyola squeaks into IHSA state football playoffs
The four-peat is possible. Loyola, which has won three consecutive Class 8A state championships and six titles overall, squeaked into the state playoffs.
The Illinois High School Association revealed the full list of football playoff qualifiers on Saturday evening. The playoff brackets will be revealed at 8 p.m.
The Ramblers (4-4) had a chance to pick up their fifth win on Friday against Mount Carmel, but lost 35-24. A fifth win would have guaranteed playoff eligibility, instead Loyola had to rely on playoff points and how results went in other games around the state.
The Ramblers opened the season at No. 2 in the preseason Super 25 and only dropped out of the rankings after losing to Carmel in Week 8.
Loyola has sophomores in many key positions this season and graduated 14 starters from last season's state championship squad. The Ramblers have rotated at quarterback with sophomore Matthew Lee starting and junior Dom Maloney coming in later in the game.
Loyola only played eight games, which obviously impacted the quest for five wins. The Ramblers were unable to find a Week 2 opponent.
“This team has grit,” Loyola coach Beau Desherow said after the loss to Mount Carmel. "They fought, they fought to the very end.”
UP-Bronzeville, Edwardsville, Joliet Catholic and Shepard also qualified with four wins.