The area’s No. 1 team has used four quarterbacks — three on Saturday alone.
That’s not to say the position has been a problem for defending Class 8A champion Loyola — far from it — but it is at the very least an interesting issue.
It appears likely that at least two of the four will take snaps when the Ramblers face No. 4 Glenbard West, last year’s Class 7A champion, in an 8A semifinal clash of titans Saturday afternoon in Glen Ellyn.
A day after starting quarterback Tommy Herion was removed in the first quarter of his team’s 24-0 quarterfinal victory over Huntley with a possible concussion, Loyola coach John Holecek said Sunday that it’s unclear whether Herion, backup Quinn Boyle or third-stringer Andrew Forsyth will run the team’s spread offense.
What is clear is that 6-foot-5, 235-pound Wildcat quarterback/Duke-bound tight end Jake Marwede will have an expanded role.
“Jake is going to get a lot of reps this week,” Holecek said. “He is going to throw the ball a lot more.”
Marwede, who was a quarterback until last season, has been extremely effective running the Wildcat. Herion has been outstanding too.
Forsyth played much of the Huntley game because Boyle had mononucleosis. Boyle might be able to play Saturday, but Holecek said Herion could be back if he clears the concussion protocol.
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“He looked fine after the game,” Holecek said. “It is up to the medical staff. He certainly wasn’t out of it. The trainer wanted him out and we won’t mess with that. If we are told there are symptoms, he is out.”
Arguably the state’s top two programs over the past decade — Glenbard West is making its fifth straight semifinal appearance and seventh in nine years, while Loyola is in for the seventh time in eight years — the “Hitters” and Ramblers have never met in the postseason.
The showdown will not mark the first time the reigning 8A and 7A champs meet in the playoffs. Defending 8A champ Wheaton Warrenville South beat reigning 7A winner St. Rita in the 7A second round in 2007.
Wolves, Evans running away: The Fox Valley rematch between Prairie Ridge and Cary-Grove in Class 6A did not materialize because DeKalb upset Cary-Grove in the quarterfinals.
It’s starting to look like No. 3 Prairie Ridge’s Samson Evans could run away from the 6A field anyway. State Player of the Year could be within his grasp too.
The Wolves quarterback could be on his way to a postseason run for the ages, following up a seven-touchdown performance against defending champion Montini in the second round with a 290-yard, five-TD first half on Saturday as Prairie Ridge made a 71-7 statement against Lake Forest.
In 53 postseason carries, Evans has 602 yards (11.4 per carry) and 15 touchdowns. The Wolves’ 51-24 victory over Montini was their closest game since Week 2. They’ve outscored the competition 599-105, an average score of 50-9.
Hawks have the hardware: While Maine South’s five state championships are as many as the rest of the 8A semifinalists combined, the No. 19 Hawks have gone the longest of the four since advancing to this round.
They will play in the semifinals for the first time since winning the last of their three straight 8A titles in 2010 when they host No. 2 Palatine.
While the remaining 8A teams are a who’s who, East St. Louis is the only 7A semifinalist with a state championship.
The Flyers have seven, while Benet, Fenwick and Plainfield North have a single second-place finish among them, Benet’s in 4A in 1984.
East St. Louis last won a state championship (7A) in 2008.
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for the baiduhai.