Scouting Loyola at Fremd

Class 8A

No. 2 Loyola (9-1) at No. 10 Fremd (6-4)

When: 6 p.m. Saturday at Hale Hildebrandt Field

First-round results: Loyola d. No. 15 Whitney Young 42-0; Fremd d. No. 7 Evanston 24-13

Playoff history: Fremd is making its 21st trip and 16th straight under Mike Donatucci. Last year's quarterfinal trip was its fourth. Loyola is making its 20th trip and fifth straight under John Holecek. Last year's trip to the semifinals was the seventh time it reached the quarters and first since its 1993 state champion.

Matchup history: Fremd won 17-14 at home in the second round of the 2007 playoffs in its only meeting with Loyola.

Outlook: Fremd looks to continue the roll from a 1-4 start against a Loyola team which beat St. Rita in the regular-season finale to clinch a share of its first Chicago Catholic Blue title since 1993. The Ramblers offense features QB Malcolm Weaver (1,771 yards, school-record 27 TDs), 6-5 WR E.J. Webb (40 catches, 711 yards, 9 TDs), WR Marquese Martin-Hayes (7 TDs) and a solid line which includes Palatine resident Robert Delaney at center. “Their line is as good of a line as we've faced,” said Fremd coach Mike Donatucci. “They're a physical team and (Weaver) is a good athlete, but our schedule has prepared us for this game.” And the Vikings will continue to ride RB Justin Wallace (1,397 yards, 13 TDs) behind the line led by Brian Bobek and Jack Konopka against DT Mark Sullivan, the CCL Blue defensive player of the year with 8 sacks. “I'll put our O-line up against anybody,” Donatucci said. “They're having fun with it. They're competing against each other to see who can play harder and do more and those are good things. Our O-line is what's making everything go.”

Advancement: The winner would be at home for a quarterfinal against No. 11 Glenbrook South (6-4) or on the road against No. 14 Palatine (6-4).