Weaver throws Loyola past Crusaders

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:30PM

Malcolm Weaver rested his arm in the fourth quarter Friday night after the Loyola quarterback threw for 370 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Ramblers to a 49-27 Catholic Blue victory over host Brother Rice.

Weaver spread out the scoring, throwing touchdowns to three wide receivers and running back Spencer Perry.

"Their speed and their ability to get to the ball is just amazing,'' said Weaver, who completed 18 of 29 passes. "The passing game obviously was good.''

Loyola had to come from behind after Martez Walker caught touchdown passes of 15 and 85 yards from Billy McGivern to give Brother Rice a 14-6 lead after the first quarter.

"The first quarter we started slow,'' Weaver said. "We had a long bus ride and we had to get our legs.''

No. 11 Loyola (5-1, 2-1) overwhelmed Rice (4-2, 1-2) with four unanswered touchdowns in the second quarter to grab a commanding 35-14 halftime advantage.

The second-quarter barrage included a 25-yard pass from Weaver to Charlie Dowdle with 10:21 left, a 50-yard strike to Marquese Martin-Hayes with 6:43 to play and a 24-yard interception return down the sideline by Scotty Suhey for a 27-14 lead with 5:16 left in the first half.

On Loyola's next possession, the Ramblers marched 80 yards in 10 plays, culminating with a 21-yard TD pass from Weaver to Perry with only :20.9 to play in the half.

"It's all about composure,'' Weaver said of the early deficit. "You can't get down on your team. We knew we could score.''

Weaver connected with E.J. Webb on TD passes of 25 and 77 yards to grow the lead to 49-14 in the third quarter.

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