Loyola's defense hits its stride, Ryan Fitzgerald evolves in a dominant win against Providence

Loyola quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald picked up a hamstring injury in Week 2 at Glenbard West. He missed one game, which the Ramblers lost. Since Fitzgerald returned he’s developed into a different player.

“Obviously we are limiting me,” Fitzgerald said. “I’m rehabbing while also playing. The trainers are doing a great job. I felt amazing today.”

Fitzgerald is free to run the ball when he chooses. Still, he had just one carry in the No. 7 Ramblers’ 42-6 win against visiting Providence on Saturday.

Fitzgerald is a powerful, effective runner able to barrel through most high school players. The injury has him changing his mindset.

“Instead of running I’m trying to look downfield,” Fitzgerald said. “That’s going to make me a better quarterback. [On one pass to Will Carlson] I usually would have run. But I threw downfield for a gain instead. It’s creating more plays.”

Loyola (5-2) led 21-0 at halftime. Senior Donovan Robinson returned the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown to make it 28-0 and that was it for the Ramblers’ starters.

Fitzgerald was 9 for 15 for 106 yards and three touchdowns. Carlson had four catches for 78 yards with TDs of 14 and 40 yards. Tight end Brendan Loftus had two catches for 60 yards, including a 36-yard TD.

This hasn’t been the regular season that Loyola, the preseason No. 1, envisioned. The Ramblers lost their opener to East St. Louis 34-7 and were beaten 35-21 at home by St. Francis in the game Fitzgerald missed.

Those are large point totals for a Loyola team to allow. Ramblers coach Beau Desherow said Saturday was the defense’s best performance. Loyola’s first-team defense allowed 30 passing and nine rushing yards.

“That’s our most complete game of the year,” Desherow said. “Pete Devine, our defensive coordinator, had a very good gameplan and the kids did a really good job executing. We are down a couple guys on the defensive line and some guys came in and stepped up for us.”

Tommy Ghislandi, Charlie Prior, Will Mettee, Charlie Daly and Max Mendoza had sacks for the Ramblers.

Despite playing under that pressure, sophomore quarterback AJ Rayford flashed plenty of promise for Providence. He was 12 for 18 for 80 yards with one interception.

“[Defense] is who we are,” Fitzgerald said. “Last year if we scored 21 points we were going to win. Now the defense is figuring out who they are. They have two big tests the next two weeks against Trae Taylor at Carmel and Jack Elliott at Mount Carmel. It’s gonna be exciting to see how they respond.”

With Fitzgerald healing and developing and the defense starting to turn the corner, the Ramblers still have a chance to repeat as Class 8A state champs.

“All of our goals are still in place,” Desherow said. “We didn’t lose focus.”

Providence (3-4) scored on a kickoff return TD by Jaylen McMiller early in the fourth quarter.

The Celtics have faced a rugged schedule, with five ranked opponents. They have wins against Lincoln-Way Central, Notre Dame and St. Francis and losses to Wheaton North, Carmel and Marist.

“Loyola did an awesome job,” Providence coach Tyler Plantz said. “We had a tough day and just couldn’t get anything going on offense. There are a lot of things we can improve.”