Providence was ready to party like it was 2009.
Loyola wasn’t quite ready to give up the spotlight.
The Ramblers rallied behind backup quarterback Emmett Clifford for the second time this season to upend Providence 10-7 Saturday in a Catholic League Blue game in Wilmette.
Providence led 7-0 entering the fourth quarter and was on the brink of clinching a state playoff berth and eliminating Loyola from CCL Blue title contention. The last year neither Loyola (5-1, 1-1) nor Mount Carmel won the crown was 2009, when Providence (5-1, 2-1) went undefeated in league play. The Celtics have not beaten the Ramblers since.
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Instead, Loyola linebacker and impromptu fullback Mark Nichol found the end zone after Providence quarterback Justin Hunniford’s fumble inside his own 10, and Mike Kurzydlowski nailed a 23-yard field goal as time expired.
Kurzydlowski’s older brother, Karol, also kicked a 23-yard field goal in the final minute Saturday for the University of Chicago, which beat Rhodes 17-14 earlier in the afternoon.
Providence defensive back Dan Miller intercepted D.J. Melsheimer at the 33-yard line midway through the second quarter. Hunniford scored four plays later.
Clifford replaced Melsheimer (7-for-9, 33 yards passing; 53 yards rushing) after the first series of the third quarter. Clifford’s 10-yard completion to Owen Buscaglia on fourth-and-2 to set up the winning field goal.
Clifford also rallied Loyola during a 29-28 overtime win against Edwarvsville on Sept 6.
“I was watching all game, had my head in the game,” Clifford said. “We knew it was a close game at half even though we played pretty bad, so we knew we could easily win that one.”
Providence receiver Miles Boykin, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound Notre Dame commit, had three catches for 46 yards. Six-foot-3 Loyola cornerback Mark Dowdle kept tabs on him all day, and Loyola’s various pass rushes kept Hunniford guessing.
“Every year, Loyola comes up with a great scheme against us,” Hunniford said. “We didn’t decipher what they were doing.”
Player of the game: Emmett Clifford, Loyola, 10-for-12, 72 yards.
Key performers: Loyola — Mark Nichol, TD; Mike Kurzydlowski, winning 23-yard field goal; Andrews Beniana, fumble recovery. Providence — Justin Hunniford, 11-for-24, 139 yards, rushing TD; Nate Vejvoda, 3 catches, 46 yards.