Matchup: First round Class 8A playoffs, 32nd-seeded West Aurora (5-4) at first-seeded Loyola (9-0), noon Saturday, Oct. 31
How they got here: Loyola won the Catholic Blue, clinching an automatic berth, while West Aurora earned eligibility with five wins and clinched a berth with its playoff points and the number of wins of the teams it beat.
Loyola stat leaders:
QB: Sr. Emmett Clifford, 121-for-167 (72.5 percent), 1,744 Yds, 10.4 Yds/Att, 27 TD, 2 INT
RB: Sr. Dara Laja, 143 Att, 950 Yds, 6.6 Avg, 15 TD
WR: Sr. Thomas Smart, 41 Rec, 558 Yds, 13.6 Avg, 10 TD
Telling number: 7.1 — Loyola’s yards-per-play average. Loyola’s offense averaged a first down every two times it snapped the ball. After beating Mount Carmel 49-21 in Week 9, Loyola coach John Holecek said this is the best offense he’s had in his 10 seasons at the school. The 49 points were most — by 19 — the Ramblers have scored against the Caravan in 11 meetings between the two programs since Holecek took over in 2006.
Behind the numbers: Senior halfback Eric Eshoo doesn’t have many receptions this season, but he has made them count. During the regular season, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Northwestern recruit had 23 catches for 438 yards and five touchdowns. In other words, he averaged 19.0 yards per reception and one touchdown every 4.6 catches.
Under the radar player to watch: Sr. QB/WR Jake Marwede — After competing for the starting job at quarterback during the summer, Marwede moved to receiver to increase his chances of seeing the field. But he suffered a concussion in Week 2 and missed three games. In the regular-season finale against Mount Carmel, Loyola used the 6-5, 220-pounder at quarterback in the Wildcat formation. He rushed four times for 23 yards and scored a touchdown. Loyola offensive coordinator Tyler Vradenburg said Marwede is a “dangerous” and a “phenomenal athlete” to have under center.
Sound bite: “The No. 1 seed doesn’t mean anything. You have to beat five good teams, no matter what. If we take care of our details, everything will take care of itself.” — Holecek
Twitter: @harnesspreps