Football: Loyola’s Charlie Dowdle does it all

Updated: November 25, 2011 6:03PM

Tyler Vradenburg is in an enviable position as Loyola’s coordinator of the passing game.

Not only does he have controls to one of the state’s most dynamic offenses, Vradenburg gets to coach Charlie Dowdle. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound receiver is one of the best in the state on Class 8A’s lone undefeated team.

“He’s a gift to any quarterback,” Vradenburg said. “If the ball is anywhere within reach, he will come down with it. That must be frustrating for corners who are in close coverage. I always tell our quarterbacks not to overthrow that kid.”

Malcolm Weaver’s favorite target, Dowdle comes into Saturday’s game against Bolingbrook with team highs in catches (57), yards (812) and touchdowns (12) and could be the difference-maker in the No. 1-ranked Ramblers’ first state championship since 1993.

“He’s a joy to watch as a coach,” Vradenburg said. “He’s always been a hard-worker, and that’s the beauty of Charlie. He works hard and wants to learn more. There have been times when I’ve seen him in the gym doing foot-speed drills all by himself.”

But football might not even be Dowdle’s best sport. As a junior, Dowdle helped Loyola’s water polo team take third place in the state, scoring a team-best 112 goals along the way.

“I’ve never seen that combination of sports before,” laughed Vradenburg. “I think water polo is where he gets the concentration as well as the hand-eye coordination. It works for him, and I may start getting more kids in the pool now.”

Vradenburg isn’t sure about Dowdle’s future, whether it will be on the football field or in the water. Either way, some college will get a quite a catch.

“He can compete with anybody at any level in both sports,” Vradenburg said. “I hope people take a chance on Charlie.”

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