Striking performance lifts Loyola past Montini
The lightning flashes in the skies just south of Loyola Academy seemed lethargic compared to the offensive strikes supplied by both Montini and the Ramblers on Saturday afternoon at Hoerster Field.
After Montini converted a recovered fumble into a 1-play, 22-yard scoring drive 40 seconds into the game, Loyola struck back with 28 unanswered points and Montini couldn’t recover. Loyola won the nonconference game 41-24.
Of the 9 touchdowns in the game, 7 were on plays of 12 yards or more, and four were 20-plus yard strikes. Montini scored 2 touchdowns that went over 35 yards.
“There were a lot of good, skilled kids out here,” said Montini coach Chris Andriano. “You expect big plays out of those guys. We expect that out of our guys.”
Nobody showed more skill and big-play ability than Broncos senior all-state wideout Jordan Westerkamp, who hooked up with junior quarterback Mark Gorogianis for 154 yard on 8 receptions.
Gorogianis (16-for-31, 281 yards) who is playing in place of the injured John Rhode, found Westerkamp for all three Montini touchdowns despite the Nebraska recruit getting double-teamed the entire game by Loyola (2-0).
“You can’t guard him with two people,” said Loyola coach John Holecek. “Two of our best players couldn’t cover him. He’s that good.”
Despite the explosive day, Westerkamp was not pleased to see his team fall to 1-1.
“(Loyola) gave us a good spanking last year, so we wanted to get out of here (with a win) — it’s a bit disappointing,” said Westerkamp. “They’re an excellent program so you always love these kinds of games to show you where you’re at.
“You can never be happy with a loss, but we did show some good things today.”
An area that Loyola and starting quarterback Malcolm Weaver were able to exploit was an inexperienced Montini defense, a group returning one starter from a year ago.
“Now these guys understand what the speed of the game is against a great team,” said Andriano.
Weaver completed 21 of 30 passing attempts for 223 yards and 5 touchdowns. He rushed for the final Rambler touchdown.
“(Loyola’s) quarterback was the difference today,” Weaver said.