WGN-TV’s Mike Lowe is reporting that three-time Illinois high school football champ Loyola Academy will host four-time Ohio state champ St. Xavier on August 28 on ESPN. According to Lowe, the game will be part of ESPN’s annual High School Football Kickoff weekend.
LOYOLA FOOTBALL TO OPEN SEASON ON ESPN; RAMBLERS WILL HOST OHIO POWERHOUSE @LAFootballAC agreed to host @stxinfo in @espn’s “High School Kickoff.” The game will be played on August 28 at 1 p.m. at Hoerster Field in Wilmette. @WGNNews @michaelsobrien @EDGYTIM pic.twitter.com/2PpyOTReAO
— Mike Lowe (@MikeLoweReports) February 11, 2022
Both teams finished 2021 ranked in the High School Football America national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football. St. X finished No. 142, while Loyola Academy finished No. 181.
Related: High School Football America 2021 national rankings
Loyola, led by former NFL linebacker John Holocek, finished 12-1 last year. The Ramblers advanced to the Class 8A state semifinals.
Related: John Holocek video feature on NFL Play Football
St. Xavier finished last season with a 10-3 record. The Bombers lost in the regional semifinals in Division I, the largest classification in Ohio.