West Aurora plays tough but falls to Loyola

The contrasts could not have been greater between the two Class 8A football programs.

David had given Goliath a fit the first two-and-half quarters in Wilmette.

"Aurora West, West Aurora doesn't have the tradition that we do," Loyola coach John Holecek said after the Ramblers finally subdued the Blackhawks in the second half of their 31-0 victory.

"Their coaching staff did a great job. They fought; that was a credit to them."

West Aurora was making its first playoff appearance since 1994, only to be pitted against the undefeated Catholic League champions.

But time and time again, the Blackhawks more than met the challenge against Loyola in the opening round against a team seeded 31 spots ahead of them.

"We have kids that won't quit," said West Aurora coach Nate Eimer. "We got into the playoffs for the first time in 21 years and took arguably the best team in the state of Illinois to the brink (for three quarters)."

But the valiant West Aurora effort was undermined by a tenacious Loyola defense, penalties and turnovers.

The flavor of the contest on Saturday was inescapably framed by the elements as a driving rain, cold and wind produced 11 combined turnovers.

There were 14 fumbled balls between the schools, half of which were lost.

Unfortunately for the Blackhawks, they could only muster 75 yards of offense and 5 first downs in having their season end at 5-5.

But after Loyola (10-0) turned the second consecutive West Aurora turnover to start the game into a touchdown drive, the Blackhawks' defense played with a relentless abandon.

"Unbelievable," Eimer said.

West Aurora thwarted four consecutive Loyola drives that began in plus territory to trail only 7-0 at half.

Defensive lineman Leonardo Colon had a fumble recovery for West Aurora.

Davion Cross later added an interception on fourth down, and Taylor Zimmerman recovered a fumble off a botched Rambler punt attempt.

Even more impressive, DaVion Cross, twin brother DaQuan and Illinois recruit Drake Spears prevented Loyola twice with first-and-goal in the final minute of the first half on seven combined plays.

The trio deflected four Loyola passes in the end zone.

DaQuan Cross, who had a one-handed fourth-quarter interception, blocked the Ramblers' chip-shot field goal as the second-quarter clock expired.

"I'm at a loss for words (about the end of the first half)," DaVion Cross said.

"It was just natural instincts," Colon said. "I saw the ball pop out, reached for it and recovered it."

"The defense played great all game," West Aurora starting quarterback Jonathan Doyle said. "It's the start of something. The juniors will be back next year."

It was music to the ears for Eimer, a former state-champion member of the Blackhawks' 2000 Class AA basketball team.

"I love the West Side of Aurora," Eimer said.