Week 2: Loyola Academy IL (ESPN)

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ReLoad

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All 3 Bomber teams (300+ players) will board buses this Saturday morning bound for Chicago to do battle with the Loyola Academy Ramblers.

The Frosh and JV games will be played Saturday afternoon (1:30pm and 3:30pm respectively) and the Varsity 1pm Sunday on ESPN.
The times are eastern standard and all 3 games will be played on Hoerster Field on the Loyola Academy campus.

The varsity game is the finale of seven football games aired on ESPN beginning Aug. 25 that comprise the Geico ESPN High School Kickoff.

Loyola Academy is located in Wilmette IL (north Chicago suburb) and plays in the Chicago Catholic League Blue Division (Brother Rice, Mt. Carmel etc).

This will be the first time the Bombers have played in the Land of Lincoln.

The Bombers are 2-0 versus teams from Illinois beating East St. Louis 35-20 at Ballaban Field in 2014 and Hinsdale Central 43-14 in 2017 at Princeton HS.

Both games were season openers and part of the Skyline Crosstown Showdown
 
 
This will be the Bombers 5th ESPN televised game

Bombers on ESPN (1-3)
2007 (Sunday Sept. 2) DeMatha at Nippert Stadium. StX won 28-7
2010 (Sunday Aug. 29) Our Lady Good Counsel at StX. Bombers lost 21-6
2016 (Saturday Aug. 27) St. John Bosco at Nippert Stadium. StX lost 34-0
2020 (Saturday Aug. 29) at Brownsburg StX lost 30-24 OT
2022 (Sunday Aug. 28) at Loyola Academy (Wilmette IL)

A good omen.....3 of the 4 years X has played on ESPN they went on to win D1 Ohio State titles
Where were you in 2005 ESPN???
 
Loyola Academy returns 12 Starters from last years 12-1 team that lost in the state semifinals

Offense (7)
QB Jake Stearney Sr. 6’3” 185lb dual threat, CCL player of the year, Colgate commit
RB Will Nimesheim Jr. 5’9” 175lb
WR Spencer Leadbetter Sr. 6’2” 190lb 53 catches
OL Kyle Baltazar Jr. 6’3” 275lb
OL Michael Kostantonov Sr. 6’4” 315lb
TE Jack Parker Sr. 6’5” 230lb Western Michigan commit
TE Jack Fitzgerald Sr. 6’5” 220lb, son of Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern commit

www.si.com

Jack Fitzgerald, Son of Pat Fitzgerald, Commits to Northwestern - Sports Illustrated

The tight end will join his father’s team in fall 2023.
www.si.com www.si.com

Defense (5)
DE Brooks Bahr Sr. 6’6” 250lb 46 tackles and 3 sacks; Michigan commit
DL Joe Kelly Jr. 6’2” 250lb
LB Ethan Hogg Jr. 6’3” 185lb
FS John McGuire Sr 6’2” 197lb 56 tackles; offer Butler
CB Gabe Gyorgy Sr. 6’0” 175lb
 
Bomber Offense
QB #10 Jack O’Malley Jr. 6'1" 186lb
RB #4 Steve Napier Jr. 5’10” 197lb / #21 Gage Patrick Jr. 5’6” 166lb
WR #9 Kyle Fitzgerald Sr. 6’3” 195lb / #20 Drew Weber Jr. 5’10” 155lb / #13 Eli Griesser Sr. 6'1" 190lb
WR #82 Jamal Sharp Sr. 5’11” 170lb / #5 Tyler Nicholson Sr. 5’9” 168lb / #80 Jack McClatchey Jr. 6’1” 175lb
TE #88 Joey Wassler Sr. 6’5” 230lb (multiple D1 offers) / #86 Doran Mason Sr. 6'3" 225lb
TE #87 Luke Klare Jr. 6'5" 210lb
LT #79 Tucker Kattus So. 6’5” 275lb offers from Kentucky and Miami OH
LG #74 J.J. Dollenmeyer Sr. 6’3” 288lb
C #66 Evan Fleetwood Sr. 6’3” 283lb offers from University Tennessee Martin, Walsh, Valparaiso
RG #72 Braylon Adams Sr. 6’1” 292lb
RT #77 Rob Fogler Sr. 6’7” 308lb (multiple D1 offers)

Injuries?: Wassler, Weber
 
Bomber Defense
RE #37 Justin Kattus Jr. 6’2” 220lb
NG #98 Antony Morris Sr. 6'1" 270lb offers from Morehead St, Valparaiso, Hanover, Walsh University
LE #97 Ted Hammond Jr. 6'5” 270lb offers from Vanderbilt, Temple, UMass, UConn and Miami (OH)
OLB (Jet) #8 Alex Devine Sr. 6'0"" 190lb
MLB (Sam) #3 Pete Rose III Sr 6’0” 205lb
OLB (Will) #38 Noah Beck Jr. 6’2” 225lb
Adj #7 Max Bonner Jr. 6’2” 197lb commitment to Michigan for LAX
SS #6 Robert Houston Sr. 5'10" 171lb offers from Centre College, Wilmington
FS #2 Nolan Myers Sr. 6'2" 175lb
CB #17 Macen Hall Jr. 6'1" 178lb
CB #14 Bless Sparks Sr. 5'11" 159lb

Bomber Kicking Game
P #96 Mathias Clark Sr. 6’3” 180lb
PK #31 Jake Cengia Jr. 5’9” 150lb

Injury?: Morris
 
For what it’s worth on the quality of football played – St. I’s played Loyola Academy in 2019 - in Michigan City Indiana, just outside of Chicago. Loyola had a 11-3 record and state championship the prior season. The Wildcats won convincingly, 27-10.
St. I’s finished 5-5 that season and did not make the playoffs. The Ramblers finished the season 8-4, losing in the state quarterfinals (analogous to Ohio’s regional finals).
The Bombers will be playing in game 2, whereas this is the Ramblers season opener. I expect a Bombers’ victory
 
ReLoad said:
Bomber Offense
QB #10 Jack O’Malley Jr. 6'1" 186lb
RB #4 Steve Napier Jr. 5’10” 197lb / #21 Gage Patrick Jr. 5’6” 166lb
WR #9 Kyle Fitzgerald Sr. 6’3” 195lb / #20 Drew Weber Jr. 5’10” 155lb / #13 Eli Griesser Sr. 6'1" 190lb
WR #82 Jamal Sharp Sr. 5’11” 170lb / #5 Tyler Nicholson Sr. 5’9” 168lb / #80 Jack McClatchey Jr. 6’1” 175lb
TE #88 Joey Wassler Sr. 6’5” 230lb (multiple D1 offers) / #86 Doran Mason Sr. 6'3" 225lb
TE #87 Luke Klare Jr. 6'5" 210lb
LT #79 Tucker Kattus So. 6’5” 275lb offers from Kentucky and Miami OH
LG #74 J.J. Dollenmeyer Sr. 6’3” 288lb
C #66 Evan Fleetwood Sr. 6’3” 283lb offers from University Tennessee Martin, Walsh, Valparaiso
RG #72 Braylon Adams Sr. 6’1” 292lb
RT #77 Rob Fogler Sr. 6’7” 308lb (multiple D1 offers)

Injuries?: Wassler, Weber
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Wassler good to go. Saw weber today looks like it was a leg injury. It was wrapped, so tbd.
 
TR1982 said:
Wassler good to go. Saw weber today looks like it was a leg injury. It was wrapped, so tbd.
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Missed Wassler vs LW. Need better production from the passing game.
X ran 51 plays from scrimmage: 18 pass and 33 rush (35% pass, 65% rush)
O'Malley threw 18 passes, completing 10, 8 incompletions: 2 drops, 6 misses

9 Receivers Targeted vs LW:
Sharp 6 (completed 5 for 153 yards, 1 under thrown): ability to get open and make catches, little to no breakaway speed
Napier 3 (completed 3 for 8 yards):
Fitzgerald 2 (both under thrown)
Weber 2 (1 over thrown, 1 dropped - Hartford hit)
Mason 1 (completed for 18 yard TD)
Patrick 1 (overthrown)
Nicholson 1 (dropped)
Rose 1 (overthrown)
Klare 1 (completed for 2 yards)

*Weber and Fitzgerald (converted QBs) were the leading receivers in scrimmages; vs LW combined 4 targets and zero completions
 
Weber actually held on to the ball with the big hit. It was impressive honestly. I think sharp has some breakaway speed, anybody was going to have a rough go getting away from that secondary. I don't think X will see a secondary that fast until playoffs, when they see West again.
 
ReLoad said:
Missed Wassler vs LW. Need better production from the passing game.
X ran 51 plays from scrimmage: 18 pass and 33 rush (35% pass, 65% rush)
O'Malley threw 18 passes, completing 10, 8 incompletions: 2 drops, 6 misses

9 Receivers Targeted vs LW:
Sharp 6 (completed 5 for 153 yards, 1 under thrown): ability to get open and make catches, little to no breakaway speed
Napier 3 (completed 3 for 8 yards):
Fitzgerald 2 (both under thrown)
Weber 2 (1 over thrown, 1 dropped - Hartford hit)
Mason 1 (completed for 18 yard TD)
Patrick 1 (overthrown)
Nicholson 1 (dropped)
Rose 1 (overthrown)
Klare 1 (completed for 2 yards)

*Weber and Fitzgerald (converted QBs) were the leading receivers in scrimmages; vs LW combined 4 targets and zero completions
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I'm not sure if judging the passing offense against LW is really a great stick, considering that backfield. That Sharp was able to get over 150 on them is pretty impressive. Worrisome that the offense looked a little weak in short yardage situations, though I do think those third and fourth down spots may have not been exactly accurate at first glance.
 
Should be a X victory with having a game under their belt and the better roster. This is not like Phillips and Pickerington though.
 
bomberinmonroe said:
I'm thinking Beck will probably end up with some MAC or Ivy offers. He's got good size, will just need some development.
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In today's spread world it all comes down to speed. 4.5's he goes any place he wants, high 4.6's lots of FCS and lower level D1, 4.7's is D2 or perhaps academy since they play 2 other academies with run oriented offenses. LB's in college either come off the edge or have to cover the back in space.
 
Reload, what is the take on Special Teams. Coach Tim Banker, who coached Special Teams forever and was really good at it, retired and I'm not sure who is coaching that unit now? While there were probably a half dozen plays that if the Bombers made them would have resulted in victory, a blocked punt was certainly one of them. Tough to win a tight game when on the wrong end of that.
 
Lakota West Defender appeared to be offsides/in the neutral zone on the block punt. I noticed they got called for it the second time around but you make a good point about losing Banker.
 
BigLepowski said:
In today's spread world it all comes down to speed. 4.5's he goes any place he wants, high 4.6's lots of FCS and lower level D1, 4.7's is D2 or perhaps academy since they play 2 other academies with run oriented offenses. LB's in college either come off the edge or have to cover the back in space.
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Disagree with those 40 times. Take a look at these 40 times at last years NFL combine. A lot of 4.7 and higher times for guys who are NFL caliber players. A high school LB with an official time of 4.7-4.8 and right size and game tape is going to get Power 5 offers.

https://dknation.draftkings.com/202...ight-weight-40-yard-dash-bench-press-vertical
 
Could have sworn the game against Pickerington (can't remember year or outcome) at OSU, the 2008 Prattville Alabama (W- 15-10) game and the game against Lakeland FL in 2006 (L - 25-22 (OT)) were all ESPN games as well.

And the 2009 Highlands game (L - 12-7) was nationally televised, I believe by CBS Sports Network.

Also, wouldn't surprise me if some of our other Herbie games were nationally televised as well.
 
FourthAndOne said:
Lakota West Defender appeared to be offsides/in the neutral zone on the block punt. I noticed they got called for it the second time around but you make a good point about losing Banker.
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I was confused rolling the punter out on that when when he was booming it just fine from where he was. I think Specht is running special teams, not 100% sure so don't quote me on that.
 
Loyola Offensive Line
Seniors Braden Carlin (6-0, 255 pounds), Amario Hill (6-3, 300) Will Emerson (6-2, 280 pounds) and Panayiotis Mihalopoulos (6-3, 295 pounds) and junior Kyle Baltazar (6-3 275)
 
GCLFan99 said:
Disagree with those 40 times. Take a look at these 40 times at last years NFL combine. A lot of 4.7 and higher times for guys who are NFL caliber players. A high school LB with an official time of 4.7-4.8 and right size and game tape is going to get Power 5 offers.

https://dknation.draftkings.com/202...ight-weight-40-yard-dash-bench-press-vertical
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Remember those are off the laser & not by hand, the laser times are historically higher than 40 times by hand. I can think of a few recent X grads and wish your take was more aligned with their recruiting experience. I think about the Devine boy a couple years ago. Classic X kid, tough, gritty, made plays and a captain, won state title, and I think about 4.8. Only D1 offer was Air Force. There are others on both sides of that in the past. Justin Hilliard ran in the high 4.5's and rocketed to a 5star and committed to OSU. Cole Jones played the other OLB, state champ in wrestling, had a better season from a statistical and disruption standpoint, but had Academies and low level D1 offers. With the early signing date in December the recruiting boards are driven by camp actions and earlier career actions. the late bloomer with just a great senior season has a tougher road. I hope all these kids get D1 offers, but measurable speed is a huge huge factor in recruiting process.
 
L Hand said:
Could have sworn the game against Pickerington (can't remember year or outcome) at OSU, the 2008 Prattville Alabama (W- 15-10) game and the game against Lakeland FL in 2006 (L - 25-22 (OT)) were all ESPN games as well.

And the 2009 Highlands game (L - 12-7) was nationally televised, I believe by CBS Sports Network.

Also, wouldn't surprise me if some of our other Herbie games were nationally televised as well.
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Probably already mentioned, St. John Bosco in '16 state yr at UC also on Espn 2. Lost about 34-0, but several guys hurt or out. SJB finished 2nd in nation that year, mostly D1 players in all spots since CA allows open transferring.
 
TR1982 said:
I was confused rolling the punter out on that when when he was booming it just fine from where he was. I think Specht is running special teams, not 100% sure so don't quote me on that.
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Agree, seemed like tried rugby style but blocking scheme not set up for that. I hope Steve isn't special teams, not because he can't do it, he can, but does he have the time to address the nuances?. the last yr before Coverdale showed up the then OC who was fired year end really struggled play calling, so Steve had to help. Meant less time focusing on HC oversight and defensive scheme/calls, which is where I think Steve is most talented. That team went 5-5 and was ahead at half in all 5 losses. Several asst. coaching changes were made that offseason, including bringing in Coverdale.
 
BigLepowski said:
Agree, seemed like tried rugby style but blocking scheme not set up for that. I hope Steve isn't special teams, not because he can't do it, he can, but does he have the time to address the nuances?. the last yr before Coverdale showed up the then OC who was fired year end really struggled play calling, so Steve had to help. Meant less time focusing on HC oversight and defensive scheme/calls, which is where I think Steve is most talented. That team went 5-5 and was ahead at half in all 5 losses. Several asst. coaching changes were made that offseason, including bringing in Coverdale.
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Specht is coaching the special teams... From what I have heard from insiders, it is NOT going well-- resulting in the punting issues you saw last week, as well as other issues (on kickoffs, FGs, etc.)... Banker left in early July, to start his own business (an Italian pizza parlor)-- and has not been replaced. That seems like something that that will be regretted, by the end of this season (much like when Specht decided to serve as his own offensive coordinator some years back-- long time observers will recall the recurring problems with getting plays called in time to prevent either a delay of game penalty, or the unnecessary use of a time out).
 
4GX said:
Specht is coaching the special teams... From what I have heard from insiders, it is NOT going well-- resulting in the punting issues you saw last week, as well as other issues (on kickoffs, FGs, etc.)... Banker left in early July, to start his own business (an Italian pizza parlor)-- and has not been replaced. That seems like something that that will be regretted, by the end of this season (much like when Specht decided to serve as his own offensive coordinator some years back-- long time observers will recall the recurring problems with getting plays called in time to prevent either a delay of game penalty, or the unnecessary use of a time out).
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That time as an OC was not great to say the least. I love SS, but he just doesn't have the time to run a unit effectively. Hopefully they can move some pieces internally to get him off ST duty soon.
 
Dumb question, but how did these two do film exchanges? LA with last week’s, St. X with Loyola’s last game from the previous season?
 
The Dock said:
Dumb question, but how did these two do film exchanges? LA with last week’s, St. X with Loyola’s last game from the previous season?
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Really the only realistic way.

This X team looks poorly coached right now. Disorganized, players out of position, another delay of game, etc. Not good.
 
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