Oct. 03--Two-thirds through the regular season, Loyola is undefeated and alone atop the Catholic League Blue.
The No. 2 Ramblers beat defending Class 7A champion Providence 31-7 on Friday. The Ramblers (6-0, 2-0) are the only team without a conference loss after Mount Carmel fell to Brother Rice.
Dara Laja paced Loyola with 169 yards on 25 carries, including a 74-yard touchdown run.
Laja is now 301 yards shy of the Loyola career rushing record.
"We just want to keep getting better and better," Laja said. "Every game we go into is as important as any other."
The Ramblers ran the ball with ease in the first half. Laja gained 144 yards on 18 carries, including a 74-yard sprint into the end zone with 3 minutes, 3 seconds left in the first half for a 17-0 lead.
A 25-yard field goal by Patrick Tata, followed by a 23-yard touchdown pass from Emmett Clifford to Eric Eshoo, got the Ramblers rolling in the first half.
The Ramblers offensive line of Sam Badovinac, Daniel Kurkowski, Thomas Nute, John Brekke and Jack Badovinac cleared the way for Laja.
"The O-line, they've been getting better each week," Laja said. "They're making holes and playing great."
The Ramblers put the game away in the third quarter on a 4-yard run by Laja and a 15-yard touchdown pass from Clifford to David Terrell. Providence (2-4, 1-2) scored its lone touchdown on a 93-yard kickoff return by Mike Markasovic.
"It's always tough to play here," Loyola coach John Holecek said. "They had some momentum on their side. If we're healthy, we could beat anybody. We have to make sure we keep getting better."
Bob Hurst is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Player of the game: Dara Laja, Loyola, 25 carries, 169 yards, 2 TDs.
Key performers: Loyola -- Emmett Clifford, 16-for-22, 135 yards, 2 TDs; David Terrell, 7 catches, 67 yards, 1 TD. Providence -- Mike Markasovic, 93-yard kickoff return TD.
