The Loyola Academy Ramblers must shoulder a champion's load this season. Even though they are reigning state champs, the focus this season will be on repeating. After an opening 36-7 victory over Marquette (WI), they look poised and confident despite the rough conference schedule ahead.
There are other teams looking to knock off the Ramblers and many of them played this weekend. Here's a look at how they performed in the opening week:
Stevenson struggles against Pirates defense
Palatine 28, Stevenson 20
Quarterback Zach Oles struggled his first game of the year. The senior threw for 159 yards and three interceptions, yet the Pirates survived in the opener. Oles' counterpart, quarterback Aiden O'Connell, went 24-of-44 for 325 yards. The Patriots' O'Connell also tossed three picks but connected on a pair of scoring strikes.
There was no stopping the Pirates' pursuit of the football. Palatine forced four total turnovers, including three defensive red-zone stands, and kept Stevenson out of the end zone in the second half.
A strong run game, highlighted by Josh Turner's 123-yard performance, and stout defense gave Palatine the edge.
Notre Dame escapes with road victory over Thornton
Notre Dame 29, Thornton 13
The Dons had a couple of guys help them rush the game clock away. Notre Dame RBs Miles George and Michael Valdez rushed for 69 and 90 yards, respectively. George powered through for two red zone scores.
Thornton QB Lamari Battle did his best to keep his team in the game. Battle threw 15-for-26, 256 yards and a 85-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. He added a second touchdown on the ground as well.
Maine South mounts upset of Montini
Maine South 44, Montini 14
It might be possible that Nick Leongas will continue the list of great Maine South QBs. In his season debut, Leongas threw for 196 yards, 3 touchdowns and added a rushing score (for good measure) in a defeat of the reigning class 6A champions .
This game was particularly good to rushers as Maine South's Fotis Kokosioulis rushed for 212 yards and two touchdowns. Montini's Will Smith Jr., carried the ball 16 times for 180 yards and a touchdown.
Here are more scores from suburban football (and other notable games):
Aurora (West Aurora) 33, Yorkville 3
Chicago Mt. Carmel 42, Harrisburg 0
Douglass 20, Kelly 6
East St. Louis 34, Providence 3
Eisenhower 28, Decatur MacArthur 7
Hazelwood Central, Mo. 21, O’Fallon 7
Luther North 47, River Valley 0
Maine East 16, Schurz 13
Maine West 14, Proviso East 0
Moweaqua Central A&M 34, Arcola 14
Newton 40, Georgetown-Ridge Farm 0
Paxton-Buckley-Loda 21, Gibson City-Melvin-Sisley 14
Quincy Notre Dame 35, Hannibal, Mo. 14
Rochelle 53, Corliss 0
Waterloo 28, Herrin 18
Crete-Monee 42, Thornton Fractional South 7
Crystal Lake Central 42, Grant 7
DeKalb 40, Moline 12
Lake Forest 30, Glenbard East 6
Lake Zurich 19, Fremd 15
Lisle 21, Sandwich 14
Lockport 20, Downers North 9
Yorkville vs. West Aurora, susp.
