Football: Can Loyola pass well enough to win?
The Mission League begins six weeks of playoff-like competition on Friday, and one of the most intriguing games matches two unbeaten teams, Chaminade (4-0) and Loyola (4-0).
Both teams have been relying on running the ball. Chaminade has a trio of talented running backs, but the Eagles are also capable of passing. Quarterback Ed Sias passed for more than 300 yards a week ago.
Loyola has its own trio of running backs. David Cooper gained 201 yards last week against Salesian.
The key to winning this game will be balance. Loyola has some top skill-position players, and the question is whether its line will be able to provide enough protection for quarterback Tre Polamalu to get the ball to Jordan Riordan (see above), David Long and Myles Bryant.
The ace-in-the-hole for Chaminade is its power pitch play. The Eagles always go to it when everything else fails, and Loyola will have to try to stop Okalani Langi and T.J. Pledger running behind big, powerful Bar Milo & Co.
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