Forde with 3 Touchdown Catches as Loyola Wins Slugfest over Brother Rice

The Crusaders and Ramblers met in Wilmette Saturday afternoon in the CCL/ESCC Blue opener. Last season the Ramblers won a wild one at Brother Rice 46-43, and there would be a lot of points put up in this season's matchup.

The Ramblers started fast as Jake Stearney connected with receiver Declan Forde for 48 yards. Two drives later it was Drew MacPherson (9 carries, 70 yards, TD) that lead the way. On the drive, MacPherson had 5 carries for 44 yards and finished the drive with an 8 yard run. Loyola lead 14-0 after 1 quarter.

It was a back and forth second quarter. After Forde's second 48 yard touchdown catch, Brother Rice scored their first touchdown on a razzle-dazzle pass from Ryan Hartz to tight end Owen Gorman for 29 yards. The Crusaders would get their next touchdown from running back Randall Nauden (12 carries, 27 yards, 3 catches, 33 yards, touchdown), who had a 21 yard catch and run after Jake Stearney's 7 yard touchdown pass to Jack Parker. The Ramblers lead 28-14 at the half.

The Ramblers would stay in control in the second half. Running back Will Nimesheim (14 carries, 95 yards, 2 TD, 4 catches 47 yards) added two rushing touchdowns of 16 and 29 yards. Declan Forde added a third touchdown catch for 34 yards, and finished with 5 catches for 156 yards. Owen Gorman added a 19 yard touchdown reception for the Crusaders, and finished with 3 catches, 55 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Ramblers backup quarterback Luke Collins added a 15 yard touchdown pass to Danny Herbert to finish off the Crusaders 57-21.

Ramblers quartrback Jake Stearney went 16/28, 287 yards, 4 touchdowns, an interception, and had 7 carries for 74 yards. Ryan Hartz went 15/28, 220 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. The Ramblers (4-0, 1-0 CCL/ESCC Blue) host Fenwick (2-2, 1-0 CCL/ESCC White) next Saturday afternoon, and the Crusaders (2-2, 0-1 CCL/ESCC Blue) host De La Salle (1-3, 0-1 CCL/ESCC White) next Friday.