Malcolm Weaver leads Loyola past Lyons

Not even a stiff wind could stop Malcolm Weaver and No. 1-ranked Loyola on Saturday afternoon.

The senior quarterback threw for more than 300 yards in the first half as the Ramblers raced past Lyons for a 33-10 win in Wilmette to advance to the Class 8A semifinals for the third season in a row.

Weaver connected with Charlie Dowdle for a 59-yard touchdown toss on the game’s fourth play to start a scoring spree that lifted Loyola (12-0) to a 33-3 lead by the half. Weaver threw three TD passes to three receivers and ran for another in the first two quarters.

Willie Palivos scored the Ramblers’ other touchdown in the first half on a 41-yard run, giving the team three scores of at least 40 yards.

“We haven’t been able to get over the hump in the last few years, but we will try to do it again next week,” the senior running back said of Loyola’s consecutive season-ending losses to Maine South in the semifinals. “We want to keep this dream season going.”

Often overlooked on an explosive offense, Palivos once again got the job done on the ground, running 12 times for 128 yards.

“It’s fine with me,” said Palivos. “The offense we run is the spread, and it’s been working. We will stick with it.”

Weaver went 25-for-37 for 356 yards. He threw three TDs and one interception. Dowdle caught 10 balls for 185 yards. read more >>

Malcolm Weaver was the quarterback for TEAM ILLINOIS during the 2011 spring 7-on-7 fottball season.