Dublin-bound Hamilton High School and Loyola Academy fell short in their respective state championship games in Arizona and Illinois this weekend.
Teams from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin will play in three doubleheader matches staged in three different stadiums in Dublin, making up the Global Ireland Football Tournament on Friday, August 31. The following day, the University of Notre Dame and U.S. Naval Academy clash at the city’s Aviva Stadium on Saturday, September 1.
“The fact that two of our teams were competing for state championships underlines the quality of high school football that will be showcased in Ireland next summer,” said GIFT 2012 organizer Patrick Steenberge. “The next time these players pull on the pads for a competitive game it will be under the Friday Night Lights in Dublin and that is a very exciting prospect for sports fans in Ireland, as well as for those thousands of Americans heading there for a historic football weekend.”
Loyola Academy Ramblers from Wilmette, IL, were defeated 21-17 by Bolingbrook in the 8A Illinois State finals on Saturday, November 26. Loyola opened the game scoring on a 25-yard rushing touchdown with 3:15 left in the first quarter but Bolingbrook replied with back-to-back touchdowns.
The Ramblers scored late in the half on a quarterback keeper as the two teams headed into the half tied 14-14. Loyola then connected on an IHSA 8A title game record 40-yard field goal to take a 17-14 lead, but in the third quarter, Bolingbrook took the lead for good to claim their first state championship title.
“We had a great year, but we just couldn’t finish,” said Loyola quarterback Malcolm Weaver. “We set a school record for wins. We did well. We just needed to finish that one game.” Loyola will kick off their 2012 season in Dublin vs a very talented team from Jesuit Prep of Dallas, Texas.
Loyola (13-1) has a long playoff history, having previously been to the state title game twice. They finished second in Class 6A in 2991 and won the 6A crown in 1993. This season, the Ramblers defeated Glenbard North in the semifinals to advance to the state title contest.
Hamilton High School, from Chandler, Arizona, fell to Desert Vista 45-19 in the Division 1 Arizona State championship to end the nation’s longest active winning streak at 53 games at the University of Phoenix stadium. Earlier this season, the Huskies defeated the Thunder 35-10. Hamilton had won six of the last eight state titles including three consecutive state championships.
Hamilton’s Kendyl Taylor’s final game was sensational as he caught 11 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Blake Kemp finished the game with 267 yards and three touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Huskies, led by head coach Steve Belles, will look to start a new streak in Ireland as they will open their 2012 football season in Dublin as part of the 2012 Global Ireland Football Tournament on August 31 against the powerful Notre Dame High School from Sherman Oaks, California.
Elsewhere among GIFT-bound schools, Father Judge defeated Abraham Lincoln 48-7 in their annual Thanksgiving game. The Philadelphia-based school, led by head coach Tom Coyle, finished the 2011 season 7-4.
Venues and kickoff times for all GIFT games will be announced later this year and details of the event and participating teams can be found at the website www.GIFT2012.com.
Organizer Global Football has been the world’s primary exporter and producer of American football played overseas since 1996, and never before has such a large number of U.S. teams traveled and played in one country, on one day. Being linked to the Fighting Irish and Midshipmen weekend makes this even more special for the players, coaches and followers who are eagerly preparing for this exciting historic week.
Former Notre Dame All-American and Green Bay Packers first round draft pick Mike McCoy will serve as an Honorary Chairman for the Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) 2012.
McCoy is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania and a graduate of Cathedral Prep High School. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Economics where he played football and was a Consensus All-American. He was the UPI Lineman of the year and was sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting his senior year. He was the number one draft choice of the Green Bay Packers where he played defensive tackle during an 11-year NFL career, spending seven with Green Bay, two with the Oakland Raiders and two with the New York Giants.
For information about the Global Ireland Football Tournament 2012 please visit www.GIFT2012.com or email Patrick@GlobalFootball.com. All team and fan travel for GIFT is being expertly handled by Anthony Travel, who also manages all team and fan travel for the Notre Dame and Navy. Contact Sheldon Baxter, sheldonbaxter@anthonytravel.com for details, or visit www.anthonytravel.com/globalfootball/gift.
GIFT teams scores: November 24-26
Hamilton High School (Chandler, AZ):
Desert Vista 45 @ Hamilton 19 (Arizona Division 1 Championship game)
Loyola Academy (Wilmette, IL):
Bolingbrook 21 @ Loyola 17 (8A Illinois State Championship)
Father Judge (Philadelphia, PA):
Father Judge 48 @ Abraham Lincoln 7
