Fenwick, Loyola close out
regular-season with conference battle
By Michael Wojtychiw
Both Loyola and Fenwick are down to their last regular-season game tonight when the Ramblers welcome the Friars to their Munz Campus in Glenview at 5:30 p.m.
Neither team can win the conference title, though Loyola (9-2-3, 2-0-3) has a chance at an unbeaten league record and a share of second place with Marmion with a victory.
"We're preparing for this game like we're playing our first playoff game," Loyola manager Justin Dunn said. "Fenwick is going to play a style of play we're going to see a lot in the high school game, and we need to know how to deal with it.
"Given everything we've had to deal with, we'd happily take second place with an undefeated record in conference. It'll be quite a big deal.
"The goal was to do the best we could do in conference, especially since we won it in the spring and we knew everyone would be targeting us. But our focus the entire year has been state. Loyola hasn't won a regional since 2008, so our goal is the state playoffs, because we know we can make a deep run."
The Ramblers have had only two games in the past week and a half, but that's allowed them not only to prepare for the state playoffs but also to fine-tune the team.
For Dunn and his squad, however, that hasn't been just about the tactical, technical things on the pitch.
"We're working on the team chemistry, the bonding, the enjoying of playing and having fun," he said. "We've been focusing on the level that our guys put in and what it's all going to come down to."
Something that the first-year manager feels will be a positive for the squad is the style they play.
Many of the high school teams like to play more over the top and leading players down the field with long passes. Having played in a system like that before, Dunn has continued with system Loyola has used in previous years to put pressure on the Ramblers' opponents.
"That works in high school and that's why a lot of people play it," Dunn said. "We like to do play more fluid, keep the ball on the ground, pass the ball around instead of just trying to kick the ball long."
Fenwick (7-10-3, 1-3-1) is coming off of a tough 6-2 loss to St. Patrick on Tuesday.
The result may have been frustrating for manager Craig Blazer and his Friars squad, but it hasn't affected the team's mental state.
"We want to see our guys keep believing and responding and being positive," he said. "We're honest with ourselves and feel like they can have a good chance to gain some momentum and get positive results.
"It's been evident at training that the guys have been positive, and I think we've assured them that this is normal and encourage them to keep working. We're still learning, and there's room for improvement, but they're still receptive and having fun."
Blazer, like Dunn is excited for what his squad can do in the playoffs.
The Friars, the third seed in the Class AA Speer Sectional, host a regional. If things fall right, a deep state run is possible.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing our guys take some positive steps," Blazer said. "Sometimes you forget the pressure the players are under, but we recognize they are and help them try to stay focused and put two good halves together.
"It's hard to be consistent, but we're doing a better job of being aware of the importance of every play. We can see their growth and development."
regular-season with conference battle
By Michael Wojtychiw
Both Loyola and Fenwick are down to their last regular-season game tonight when the Ramblers welcome the Friars to their Munz Campus in Glenview at 5:30 p.m.
Neither team can win the conference title, though Loyola (9-2-3, 2-0-3) has a chance at an unbeaten league record and a share of second place with Marmion with a victory.
"We're preparing for this game like we're playing our first playoff game," Loyola manager Justin Dunn said. "Fenwick is going to play a style of play we're going to see a lot in the high school game, and we need to know how to deal with it.
"Given everything we've had to deal with, we'd happily take second place with an undefeated record in conference. It'll be quite a big deal.
"The goal was to do the best we could do in conference, especially since we won it in the spring and we knew everyone would be targeting us. But our focus the entire year has been state. Loyola hasn't won a regional since 2008, so our goal is the state playoffs, because we know we can make a deep run."
The Ramblers have had only two games in the past week and a half, but that's allowed them not only to prepare for the state playoffs but also to fine-tune the team.
For Dunn and his squad, however, that hasn't been just about the tactical, technical things on the pitch.
"We're working on the team chemistry, the bonding, the enjoying of playing and having fun," he said. "We've been focusing on the level that our guys put in and what it's all going to come down to."
Something that the first-year manager feels will be a positive for the squad is the style they play.
Many of the high school teams like to play more over the top and leading players down the field with long passes. Having played in a system like that before, Dunn has continued with system Loyola has used in previous years to put pressure on the Ramblers' opponents.
"That works in high school and that's why a lot of people play it," Dunn said. "We like to do play more fluid, keep the ball on the ground, pass the ball around instead of just trying to kick the ball long."
Fenwick (7-10-3, 1-3-1) is coming off of a tough 6-2 loss to St. Patrick on Tuesday.
The result may have been frustrating for manager Craig Blazer and his Friars squad, but it hasn't affected the team's mental state.
"We want to see our guys keep believing and responding and being positive," he said. "We're honest with ourselves and feel like they can have a good chance to gain some momentum and get positive results.
"It's been evident at training that the guys have been positive, and I think we've assured them that this is normal and encourage them to keep working. We're still learning, and there's room for improvement, but they're still receptive and having fun."
Blazer, like Dunn is excited for what his squad can do in the playoffs.
The Friars, the third seed in the Class AA Speer Sectional, host a regional. If things fall right, a deep state run is possible.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing our guys take some positive steps," Blazer said. "Sometimes you forget the pressure the players are under, but we recognize they are and help them try to stay focused and put two good halves together.
"It's hard to be consistent, but we're doing a better job of being aware of the importance of every play. We can see their growth and development."