Lee passes for three scores, runs for another as Ramblers surge in Indy

Cathedral, winner of more games than any school in Indiana high school history, and Loyola Academy, winner of the Illinois High School Association’s Class 8A championships in 2022, 2023 and 2024, met for the first time Friday night at Butler University’s stadium in Indianapolis.

After falling behind in the first half, the Ramblers struck for four second-half touchdowns to defeat the Fighting Irish 33-19.

Those touchdowns came on passes of 19 and 8 yards from Matthew Lee to fellow junior Charlie Fowler and 1-yard plunges by junior Melo Maldonado and Lee.

Loyola (2-0) went into its second straight road game ranked seventh in the metropolitan area by the Chicago Tribune, while Cathedral (0-2) was ranked eighth in Indiana.

“Understand how good you guys can be,” coach John Holecek told his relatively young Ramblers after they denied Cathedral’s attempt to win its 793rd game in the history of the program.

“The first half was a mess of our own doing but what a great second half you played.

“Eliminate the mental mistakes and you have the potential to be a really, really great team.”

The Ramblers made the first of these mental mistakes on their first play from scrimmage. Ater versatile senior Dom Maloney returned a punt to the Cathedral 47-yard line a holding penalty wiped out a spectacular touchdown pass play, a flea flicker that saw Lee hurl the football to Fowler.

Four plays later Cathedral acquired the football at its own 48 on a fumble recovery by 6-foot-4, 225-pound lineman Hudson Shipman

The Fighting Irish were forced to punt but capitalized after linebacker Adam Nolan recovered a fumbled return at the Loyola 2-yard line and on the next play got the game’s first touchdown on a run by Tell’I McCullough with 4:32 to play in the opening quarter. Sophomore Max McGovern kicked the extra point.

The Ramblers immediately retaliated.

Turning It Around

Jordan McKinley returned the kickoff 58 yards to the Cathedral 35 and five plays later the 6-3, 215-pound junior wide receiver scored on a 10-yard pass from Lee. Junior Ryan Edwards kicked the extra point, tying the score with 1:51 remaining in the quarter.

Early in the second quarter the Fighting Irish reclaimed the lead on a 55-yard pass play in which sophomore Emmett Knowles threw to senior Evan Johnson. McGovern’s extra-point attempt was blocked.

On their ensuing possession, the Ramblers drove 69 yards to the 1-yard line but Cathedral then made a goal-line stand, thwarting three straight pushes up the middle to cling to its 13-7 lead.

At the start of the second half Loyola gained its first lead on a 58-yard drive culminated by Lee’s 19-yard pass to Fowler and punctuated by Edwards’ point-after-touchdown.

On their next possession the Ramblers expanded their lead to 20-13. McKinley’s 43-yard reception was the big play in the 53-yard drive that ended with Lee’s 8-yard pass to Fowler.  The extra point attempt was blocked.

Cathedral then went 80 yards to score with the touchdown coming on a 36-yard run by senior Xavier Dangerfield but was unable to tie the score when McGovern’s PAT attempt failed.

Turning It On

Thereafter the Loyola defense clamped down.

“We came together and held them,” said junior Mark Atwood, who was in the forefront along with two other linebackers, senior Will Mettee and junior Barrett Schiffendecker, and Maloney in the defensive backfield.

Following the Cathedral touchdown the Ramblers padded their lead by going on a 54-yard touchdown drive that was briefly interrupted by a holding penalty.

Highlighting the drive were Lee’s passes of 23, 14 and 14 yards to McKinley and an 11-yard run by Maldonado, who got the touchdown from a yard out with 2:14 to play in the third quarter. Lee’s pass for a two-point conversion was unsuccessful.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Maldonado ran for 21 yards in four carries and Lee threw passes of 7 and 25 yards to McKinley to set up the 1-yard quarterback keeper for the touchdown. Edwards’ extra-point put the finishing touches on the triumph.

In the waning minutes Maloney’s interception at the Loyola 31 wiped out the home team’s hopes for a comeback.

The main offensive component in the Loyola conquest was the pass catching of McKinley, Fowler and senior Joe Haughey.

According to Lee, Fowler has emerged as a go-to option this season.

“He played a great game,” Lee said. “He has definitely become one of the prime targets.”

Fowler downplayed his significant contributions.

“All I care about is how the team does,” he said. “We put in so much groundwork at practice and studying film this week and it paid off. The first half was a little shaky but then we showed what we’re capable of.”

The Ramblers will play their home opener against St. Rita on Friday night, Sept. 4, at Hoerster Field. Kickoff time is 7 p.m.

“It’s also our Catholic League opener and we’re excited,’ Atwood said. “We’re going to be mentally focused all week in practice. We’ve just got to get off to a better start than we did tonight.”

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