IT ALL STARTED UP FRONT: Loyola Academy Survives Brother Rice 27–24 in an Elite Chicago Catholic League Trench Battle
Starts Up Front National & Global Recruiting Board Game of the Week
Final Score: Loyola Academy 27, Brother Rice 24
September 11, 2026 | Wilmette, Illinois
The Starts Up Front National & Global Recruiting Board Game of the Week delivered one of Illinois’ most competitive early-season matchups as Loyola Academy defeated Brother Rice 27–24.
Loyola improved to 4–0 overall and 1–0 in the Chicago Catholic League Blue, while Brother Rice moved to 2–2 overall and 0–1 in conference play.
Loyola led 7–0 after the first quarter before Brother Rice tied the game at 7–7 by halftime. Loyola carried a 13–10 advantage into the fourth quarter, when both programs scored 14 points. The Ramblers ultimately scored the game-winning touchdown with 1:10 remaining.
Although other positions receive credit for yards and touchdowns, those statistics were created by the offensive and defensive linemen who competed on every snap.
Every rushing yard began with movement at the line of scrimmage. Every completed pass required protection. Every disrupted play resulted from pressure, penetration, active hands or disciplined gap control.
This game proved once again that success starts up front.
Brother Rice’s Star-Studded Defensive Front
Brother Rice entered the matchup with one of the most talented defensive fronts in Illinois. That unit immediately demonstrated its ability to disrupt Loyola’s offensive rhythm.
The Crusaders’ defensive line produced four pass deflections during the first half. Those plays reflected outstanding awareness, active hands and the ability to affect the passing game even when the rush did not reach the backfield.
The Brother Rice front was led by several nationally recruited prospects, including Kameron “Kam” McGee and Brayden Parks.
Kameron “Kam” McGee — 2028 EDGE
McGee is one of the premier defensive recruits in the country. The 2028 EDGE prospect is listed at approximately 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds and possesses the size, athleticism and versatility to create pressure from multiple alignments.
The 247Sports individual rankings list McGee as the No. 1 overall prospect nationally, No. 1 EDGE and No. 1 player in Illinois for the Class of 2028. The broader composite rankings also place him among the nation’s elite prospects.
As of September 12, 2026, McGee remains uncommitted, with a reported 44 scholarship offers. His college options include national programs such as Georgia, Miami, Oregon, Notre Dame, Alabama, Ohio State, Illinois, Florida State and several others.
Against Loyola, McGee’s ability to create disruption from the edge contributed to the pressure generated by the Brother Rice front.
Brayden Parks — 2027 Defensive Tackle
Parks is a powerful interior defensive lineman who consistently challenges opposing blocking schemes with his strength, hand usage and ability to penetrate the backfield.
The four-star defensive tackle has officially committed to the University of Notre Dame as a member of its 2027 recruiting class. Parks selected Notre Dame after receiving offers from programs that included Oregon, Ohio State, Michigan, Alabama, Miami and Georgia Tech.
Parks was an important part of a Brother Rice defensive front that limited Loyola’s featured rushing production to 75 yards on 22 attempts—approximately 3.4 yards per carry.
Additional Brother Rice Defensive Linemen
The Crusaders’ publicly listed defensive-line personnel also include:
- Nate Elsea — Defensive End
- Braleel Brooks — Defensive Line
- Ethan Stasukaitis — Defensive End
- Ryan Hammelmann — Defensive End
- Pharoah Hooks — Defensive Line
- Tyler Frazier — Defensive Tackle/Offensive Line
- Jeremiah Christian — Defensive Line/Nose Guard
- Bruce Sullivan — Defensive Line
- Marius Adenso — Defensive Line
- Tymel Lofton — Defensive End
- David Matthews — Defensive Line
- Candrell Perry — Defensive Line
The entire Brother Rice defensive front consistently challenged Loyola’s protection and forced the Ramblers to fight for nearly every yard.
Brother Rice’s Offensive Line and Its Committed Anchor
Brother Rice’s offensive line was responsible for handling an aggressive Loyola defensive front while protecting two different quarterbacks.
Despite an early turnover that produced points for Loyola, the Crusaders’ offensive line recovered and helped the offense generate 266 passing yards and three passing touchdowns.
Those numbers began with the protection, communication and commitment of the offensive line.
Ethan Posey — 2027 Offensive Tackle
Senior offensive tackle Ethan Posey is one of the leaders of the Brother Rice offensive front.
The 6-foot-5, approximately 300-pound tackle has committed to Miami University in Ohio. Posey is recognized as a three-star Class of 2027 offensive-line prospect who brings size, experience and stability to the Crusaders’ protection unit. His commitment was previously reported while identifying him as Brother Rice’s returning left-tackle anchor.
Posey and the Brother Rice offensive line delivered their most important possession late in the fourth quarter. After Loyola moved ahead 20–17, the Crusaders responded with a touchdown to take a 24–20 lead with 3:08 remaining.
The points appeared on the scoreboard, but the opportunity was created up front.
Additional Brother Rice Offensive Linemen
Brother Rice’s publicly listed offensive-line personnel include:
- James Romano — Center/Offensive Line
- Lucas Zientak — Offensive Line
- Patrick Walsh — Offensive Line
- Joseph Bartozek — Offensive Line
- Tyler Houlf — Offensive Line
- Max Patino — Offensive Line
- Jamie Powell — Offensive Line
- Jeremy Shelton — Offensive Line
- Lucas Rios — Offensive Line
- Tyler Frazier — Offensive Line/Defensive Tackle
- Austin Kavanaugh — Offensive Line
- Carlos Rios — Offensive Line
- Teagan Dixon — Offensive Line
- Daniel Desouza — Offensive Line
- CJ Anderson — Offensive Line
- Ethan Posey — Offensive Tackle/Guard
Brother Rice’s published roster shows tremendous size and developmental depth throughout the program’s offensive- and defensive-line rooms.
Loyola’s Offensive Line Responded When the Game Was on the Line
Loyola’s offensive line faced one of the strongest defensive fronts it will see during the regular season.
The Ramblers were challenged by pressure, tipped passes, limited rushing space and difficult down-and-distance situations. However, the offensive line refused to break.
With Loyola trailing 17–13 in the fourth quarter, the Ramblers’ offensive front helped create the point-of-attack movement required for a two-yard touchdown. That short-yardage execution gave Loyola a 20–17 advantage.
After Brother Rice reclaimed the lead, Loyola’s offensive line was tested one final time. The unit provided the protection necessary for a 46-yard game-winning touchdown with 1:10 remaining.
The ball traveled downfield, but the play started in the trenches. Without protection, communication and trust across the offensive line, the game-winning opportunity never develops.
Loyola Academy’s Top Trench Recruits
Loyola’s current line group features several emerging prospects who should continue attracting recruiting attention.
Brock Thompson — 2028 Interior Offensive Line
Brock Thompson is a Class of 2028 interior offensive-line prospect listed at approximately 6-foot-3 to 6-foot-4 and close to 300 pounds.
Thompson is capable of contributing at offensive guard and tackle. His frame, power and developmental upside make him one of the most intriguing young linemen in Loyola’s program.
Thompson has already received recruiting attention and visited Notre Dame during the spring of 2026. He remains uncommitted as his recruitment continues.
Connor “CJ” Nielsen — 2028 Offensive Tackle
CJ Nielsen is a Class of 2028 offensive tackle listed at approximately 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds.
Nielsen has the length and size college programs look for at offensive tackle. He remains uncommitted and is still in the early stages of his recruitment. His continued development in pass protection, footwork and leverage should make him a prospect worth monitoring.
Braedan McHugh — 2028 Defensive Line/Offensive Line
Braedan McHugh is a Class of 2028 two-way lineman listed at approximately 6-foot-1 and 250 pounds.
McHugh contributes at defensive tackle and defensive end and can also provide depth on the offensive line. His versatility gives Loyola multiple options in the trenches.
McHugh remains uncommitted, with his recruiting process still developing.
Teddy Ghislandi — 2028 Defensive Line/Offensive Line
Teddy Ghislandi is another emerging two-way Loyola Academy trench prospect. Listed at approximately 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds, Ghislandi possesses the length to develop as a defensive end, defensive tackle or offensive tackle.
A published evaluation credited him with 26 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles during the previous season. Those numbers demonstrate his ability to affect the running game and generate penetration.
Ghislandi remains uncommitted and is a developing Class of 2028 prospect to follow.
Recruiting Status at a Glance
- Kameron McGee, Brother Rice EDGE: Uncommitted; 44 reported offers
- Brayden Parks, Brother Rice DT: Committed to Notre Dame
- Ethan Posey, Brother Rice OT: Committed to Miami University in Ohio
- Brock Thompson, Loyola Academy IOL: Uncommitted
- CJ Nielsen, Loyola Academy OT: Uncommitted
- Braedan McHugh, Loyola Academy DL/OL: Uncommitted
- Teddy Ghislandi, Loyola Academy DL/OL: Uncommitted
Recruiting statuses are current as of September 12, 2026 and remain subject to change.
Starts Up Front Final Evaluation
Loyola Academy earned the 27–24 victory, but the true story of this game was written in the trenches.
Brother Rice’s defensive front, led by elite 2028 EDGE prospect Kam McGee and Notre Dame defensive-line commit Brayden Parks, controlled significant portions of the game.
Brother Rice’s offensive line, anchored by Miami University commit Ethan Posey, recovered from adversity and helped create a late fourth-quarter lead.
Loyola’s offensive line responded with critical short-yardage execution and game-winning protection. Its developing group of recruits—including Brock Thompson, CJ Nielsen, Braedan McHugh and Teddy Ghislandi—showed the resilience required to survive against an elite defensive front.
Every yard, touchdown and completed pass was connected to the hard work and commitment of the offensive linemen. Every hurried throw disrupted rushing lane and difficult possession reflected the effort of the defensive linemen.
These athletes may not always receive individual statistics, but their fingerprints are on every statistic their teams produce.
The Starts Up Front National & Global Recruiting Board will continue identifying, evaluating and promoting deserving offensive and defensive linemen from Brother Rice, Loyola Academy and programs throughout Illinois, the United States and around the world.
The statistics may be recorded elsewhere, but the production begins with the linemen.
Control the trenches. Control the game.
Make the unknown a known name.
Don’t be shocked—be a Shocker.
It all Starts Up Front.
