Wehmann III serves as veteran leader of the receiving corps (+ Loyola team page)

Loyola's Richie Wehmann III (left) plays in a Sept. 10, 2011, game against Lake Forest Academy's Faith Ekakitie in Wilmette. | Joe Cyganowski~For Sun-Times Media

Updated: November 19, 2012 2:56PM

WILMETTE — Last fall, Richie Wehmann III was just another guy in the mix of receivers for Loyola.

The Ramblers like quality at that position but they also stress quantity, wanting to give opposing defenses more to think about. So Wehmann was part of a crew that included seniors Charlie Dowdle, Marquis Martin-Hayes and Dylan Brennan along with junior Peter Pujals.

After putting up big numbers and helping Loyola reach the Class 8A title game, Dowdle, Martin-Hayes and Brennan graduated, while Pujals moved to the backfield as the replacement for quarterback Malcolm Weaver.

That’s meant a whole new role for Wehmann, who is now the veteran member of the receiving corps. It’s a change he was ready for and has embraced.

“I definitely got a lot of experience last year,” said Wehmann, a senior. “Charlie Dowdle was a great teacher to me and this year I’m trying to be a great teacher to the younger guys, Joe Joyce in particular.”

Wehmann isn’t just a good guy in the huddle and at practice. He’s also played a big part in keeping the Ramblers (7-1, 3-0 Catholic League Blue) among the state’s most effective passing teams.

“He looks like the go-to guy,” Loyola coach John Holecek said of Wehmann, a 6-foot-1, 175-pounder. “He’s very athletic, he’s elusive.”

Wehmann has had some of his biggest games on the biggest stages. He had eight catches for 75 yards in the Ramblers’ double-overtime win against Mount Carmel in Week 6 and caught six passes for 66 yards in Saturday’s 45-0 victory over Brother Rice that clinched a share of the conference title.

In the Brother Rice game, Wehmann was especially active early. Pujals’ first three passes went to him, for a total of 34 yards on a 68-yard scoring drive that put the Ramblers up 7-0. Pujals’ fourth completion, a 10-yarder, also was to Wehmann in a 67-yard drive that made it 14-0 Loyola late in the first quarter.

Understandably, Wehmann likes hearing his number called.

“Obviously, it’s a good feeling that they have confidence in me and it’s been a great experience so far,” he said.

Those early throws in Wehmann’s direction weren’t scripted in advance for Loyola, which prizes versatility and adaptability on offense above all else.

“Nothing is ever intentional,” Holecek said. “We go into a game, we don’t know if we’re going to throw it or run it. We just go with what works. There’s no ... secret to it. It’s what’s working and, ‘What do you think we can do?’”

One thing the Ramblers — who play at 7:30 p.m. Friday at St. Rita — clearly can do is move the chains with Pujals throwing to Wehmann.

“Peter and I have played all four years together and he’s a good friend of mine,” Wehmann said. “I think our chemistry has grown each game. It’s getting better each week.”

Names in the Game

ISABELLE KANE
Noteworthy efforts: A junior member of the girls golf team, Kane finished in a tie for fourth place with a 75 at the Class AA state tournament after going 1-under on the back nine.

STEFFANI ALEXANDER
Noteworthy efforts: Alexander, a senior goalkeeper on the field hockey team, notched her 11th shutout of the season in a 4-0 win over Glenbard West on Oct. 11. The victory was Loyola’s eighth straight. Alexander also delivered a shutout in a 8-0 win over Woodlands a day earlier.

Quick Hits

Big Numbers
221 | Number of points accumulated by the girls swimming team during the Titan Relays at Glenbrook South on Saturday. The Ramblers finished second overall.

Sound Bites
“We’ve got a pretty good team, but we’ve got a ways to go to get to that caliber.”
— Brother Rice coach Brian Badke following Loyola’s 45-0 win over the Crusaders on Saturday.

Don’t Miss

Saturday
Boys cross country: Loyola Regional, 10:45 a.m.
The Ramblers host a Class 3A regional, which features 10 teams in all, at Harm’s Woods in Skokie. Loyola is paced by senior Jaquan Grier.

Friday
Girls volleyball: Loyola at GCAC Tournament, Mother McAuley, 5 p.m.
The host Mighty Macs are Loyola’s first opponent in the two-day conference tourney, with matches against Trinity and Regina to follow.

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