In three years at Marian Catholic, Tyler Lofton put up big numbers but never played in the playoffs.
Lofton, who is now a senior running back in his first season at Brother Rice, remembers watching friends at other schools play in the postseason and just feeling jealousy and anger.
“I’d be dreaming about being there and then also hating the guys that were there because I never made it,” Lofton said. “I wanted to be in their spot. Now, I’ve finally made it.”
The Illinois State recruit helped the visiting Crusaders seal a playoff spot Friday night, running for 80 yards and a touchdown in a 35-6 win over St. Laurence in a CCL/ESCC crossover in Burbank.
CJ Gray completed 8 of 12 passes for 105 yards, including a 20-yard TD toss to Jimmie Maxson III, and added a 1-yard TD run for Brother Rice (5-3). Charlie Stec returned an interception 15 yards for a TD and Conner Stack added a 2-yard TD run.
Ayden Ginn returned an interception 90 yards for a TD for St. Laurence (6-2), which was held to 73 yards of offense.
Lofton, meanwhile, has started to fit in well at Brother Rice after starring for the Spartans. It wasn’t always easy for a kid who considers himself to be a bit shy.
“I’m new and I knew a few of these boys that I played with when I was younger, but I didn’t know most of them,” Lofton said. “I’m not really a talker, so me doing the work on the field is kind of what provided more chemistry.
“Now, we go out almost every weekend. We’re always doing workouts together. Chemistry is strong. There’s nothing to worry about with that anymore.”
Gray said he and his teammates have been able to bring Lofton out of his shell.
“He’s definitely on the quieter side,” Gray said. “Just being around each other, he’s opened up more and now you can’t really tell that he just came here.
“He’s a strong guy. He’s a hard, tough runner whenever we need him. It’s a big piece to have.”
Lofton has been sharing time with a few other running backs, most notably sophomore Jameson Davis, who ran 10 times for 60 yards Friday. That’s something new for Lofton, who became accustomed to being a workhorse at Marian Catholic.
Brother Rice coach Casey Quedenfeld said Lofton has bought in to the concept of sharing the ball.
“With the amount of time he’s playing, he’s taking a step back,” Quedenfeld said. “I told him it’s because we plan on playing a long time this season and we need him when it matters the most.
“He was like, ‘That makes sense.’ His body has been beat up over the last three years at his previous place. We’re happy he’s with us.”
For a third straight week, St. Laurence played without injured starting quarterback Chase Kwiatkowski, who like Lofton is an Illinois State recruit. The Vikings struggled to get anything going offensively but were within 14-6 at halftime thanks to Ginn’s defensive TD.
Stec, a senior defensive lineman, answered with his own TD on an interception return in the third quarter to break the game open for the Crusaders.
“It was crazy,” Stec said. “I kind of blacked out there. I didn’t see anything for a second. My coaches were yelling, ‘Screen, screen, screen.’ I followed the running back, and it just landed right in my hands.
“I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t even know I was in the end zone. It was so exciting.”
Lofton, meanwhile, is excited about the playoffs — and about his future. He finally got his college plans locked up in the spring.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment,” he said. “I didn’t get that offer until May. I’ve been working hard to get there. I’m so excited to go out there and play with Illinois State.”
