Weaver helps propel Loyola past Montini

WILMETTE, Ill. -- Loyola coach John Holecek doesn’t believe the common assumption that smaller quarterbacks can’t be as effective at the Division I level or beyond.

“I played with Doug Flutie,” said Holecek, who was Flutie’s teammate on the Buffalo Bills. “I know about small quarterbacks.”

Flutie taught Holecek that size only matters if you’re not moving the ball or scoring points. Flutie had no trouble doing just that, despite his 5-foot-10 size, at every level he played, and Holecek has witnessed his own 6-foot quarterback Malcolm Weaver prove he’s just as capable.

Weaver hopes after college coaches see Saturday’s film of No. 10 Loyola’s 41-24 win over No. 4 Montini that more of them will become believers as well. Weaver accounted for all of Loyola’s scores in the home victory, throwing for five touchdowns and rushing for another.

“I enjoy proving people wrong when they say I’m too small to play quarterback,” Weaver said. “It’s my dream to play college football. I’m going to do everything I can to do it.”

Weaver used his arm and his legs to beat Montini’s defense on Saturday. He threw for 257 yards and rushed for 98, including a 28-yard touchdown. He connected with three different receivers for scores. read more >>

Malcolm Weaver (QB) and Marquese Martin-Hayes (WR/DB) from Loyola both participated on the 2011 TEAM ILLINOIS 7on7 all-star travel team last spring.

Team Illinois Conquer 7 On 7

Posted: Tuesday, June 7, 2011 4:00 pm | Updated: 3:32 pm, Wed Jun 8, 2011.

By SEAN STILLMAKER Journal Sports 

Hersey 7-on-7 FootballHigh school football players typically pick up the ball in June and drop it in November. Seldom is there an outlet for players to practice and condition during the spring. But the All-American 7 on 7 Passing League has been a rising opportunity for area players to get some spring practice.

The league started five years ago for athletes ages 13 to 18. It started off with five teams total and has expanded to 46 teams with 600 athletes participating. "Every other sport has the off season to play. [High school] football has never really had that outlet," said Ray Glassmann commissioner and founder of the league.

The spring training camp is designed to finetune the skills of quarterbacks, receivers, tight ends, linebackers, running backs and defensive backs. The training does not include linemen, eliminating blocking and tackling, which makes for a faster pace and gives quarterbacks more practice on scrambles and quick decisions.

The spring training has been very useful, and is quickly gaining traction amongst area players. It starts the first week of April and ends in the last week of May. Practice takes place indoors at the Lake Barrington field house.

There were seven high school teams participating last year. It's rapidly grown to 16 teams this year.  Journal-area high school teams from Hersey, Fremd, Rolling Meadows, Loyola and St. Viator all participated. But they only made up a fraction of the 46 total.

This spring also marked the first time where all the best players from the camp formed Team Illinois and competed with 7 on 7 teams from other states.  Team Illinois was led by Loyola starting quarterback Malcom Weaver.  He helped lead the team to the championship game at Eastern Michigan University on May 30. Team Illinois finished the tournament with big wins against Kentucky, Ohio and two solid victories over the Michigan Elite.  read more >>

Posted: Tuesday, June 7, 2011 4:00 pm | Updated: 3:32 pm, Wed Jun 8, 2011.

By SEAN STILLMAKER Journal Sports | 0 comments

High school football players typically pick up the ball in June and drop it in November. Seldom is there an outlet for players to practice and condition during the spring.

But the All-American 7 on 7 Passing League has been a rising opportunity for area players to get some spring practice.

The league started five years ago for athletes ages 13 to 18. It started off with five teams total and has expanded to 46 teams with 600 athletes participating.

"Every other sport has the off season to play. [High school] football has never really had that outlet," said Ray Glassmann commissioner and founder of the league.

The spring training camp is designed to finetune the skills of quarterbacks, receivers, tight ends, linebackers, running backs and defensive backs.

The training does not include linemen, eliminating blocking and tackling, which makes for a faster pace and gives quarterbacks more practice on scrambles and quick decisions.

The spring training has been very useful, and is quickly gaining traction amongst area players. It starts the first week of April and ends in the last week of May. Practice takes place indoors at the Lake Barrington field house.

There were seven high school teams participating last year. It's rapidly grown to 16 teams this year.

Journal-area high school teams from Hersey, Fremd, Rolling Meadows, Loyola and St. Viator all participated. But they only made up a fraction of the 46 total.