Prediction: Loyola Academy (Ill.) prevails in IHSA 8A with title

The 2025 high school football season will be getting underway in less than six weeks, which means it’s officially preview season. Rivals is breaking down the nation’s top teams from coast-to-coast, and today we make our way to over to the Prairie State for the breakdown of Loyola Academy‘s regular season schedule. The defending IHSA Class 8A state champions bring back a talented cast of players to make another run at pulling off a 4-peat. With the proverbial ‘X’ laid squarely on their backs, can the Ramblers make it four in a row this season?

Player Spotlight: QB Dominic Maloney

Last season as a sophomore, Maloney shared playing time with senior quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald, who has since graduated. The show is all Maloney’s now and he will have to work with a more inexperienced supporting cast of running backs, wide receivers, tight ends this season. Maloney was highly efficient when he was on the field under center for the Ramblers, completing 50-of-84 passes for 734 yards, 10 touchdowns and only one interception. If Loyola Academy’s offense is going to be humming, they’ll need Maloney to continue playing mistake-free football.

Others to watch: OL Tommy Fraumann, LB Henry Newton, K Zak Zeman, LB Gavin King, TE/WR Chase Williamson, WR Jordan McKinley

Season Prediction: 8-0

There’s maybe plenty of reasons to believe of the last four years, this would be the most unsuspecting group when it comes to winning a state championship. Last year’s team was senior-heavy, full of playing experience and this season’s is more green, needing to see time on the field. High school football players grow up quickly, through trail by fire, and Loyola Academy’s bunch we believe figure it out with a talented roster. The strength of the team is in the linebacking corps, led by Newton, King, whom both are among the most experienced players on the team. We see the Ramblers running the table to an undefeated season and bringing home a fourth consecutive state championship out of the IHSA’s Class 8A classification.

Game-By-Game Predictions

Aug. 29 – at Merrillville (Ind.) Pirates – W
The Ramblers get things going in the right track and roll to a 41-7 rout of the Pirates.

Sept. 12 – at St. Francis (Ill.) Spartans – W
This time last year, this game was a loss on the schedule for Loyola Academy. We see the Ramblers coming away with a victory in the rematch.

Sept. 19 – at Brother Rice (Ill.) Crusaders – W
Third straight game on the road is no problem as Loyola Academy edges out Brother Rice, 30-14.

Sept. 26 – DePaul College Prep (Ill.) Rams – W
The Ramblers have no problem with the Rams, cruising to a 45-7 rout.

Oct. 4 – St. Ignatius (Ill.) Wolfpack – W
Loyola Academy makes it look to easy in their fifth consecutive victory, a blowout over the Wolfpack.

Oct. 10 – at Providence Catholic (Ill.) Celtics – W
Back on the road after a 2-game home stint and its business as usual for the Ramblers in a 38-6 decision.

Oct. 17 – Carmel Catholic (Ill.) Corsairs – W
Second to last home game of the regular season is all Ramblers in a dominant performance.

Oct. 24 – Mount Carmel (Ill.) Golden Aces – W
Saving the best for last in Mount Carmel, Loyola Academy secures an undefeated regular season.