Southern Section Football Playoffs : DIVISION I : Loyola Grounds Mater Dei and Beats an 11-Year Jinx, 30-17

So Mater Dei High School’s passing attack was supposed to do in Loyola? And the 11-year quarterfinal jinx was another whammy that Loyola couldn’t overcome, right?

Well, not quite. Loyola grounded Mater Dei’s air attack, overcame the loss of its best offensive and defensive players and ultimately beat the quarterfinal jinx and Mater Dei, 30-17, Friday night in the quarterfinals of the Southern Section Division I playoffs before 5,500 fans in Anaheim’s Handel Stadium.

The victory moved Loyola (12-0), the nation’s top-ranked team according to USA Today, into the semifinals next week against Bishop Amat (10-2) at a site to be determined. Mater Dei finished at 6-6.

For 11 consecutive years, Loyola has entered the playoffs, and for 11 consecutive years, the Cubs have failed to advance beyond the quarterfinal round under Coach Steve Grady. All that ended on a cold, clear evening as Loyola scored on 4 consecutive possessions to overcome a 10-0 deficit.

Afterward, Grady looked like a poker player who had finally beaten the odds as he was congratulated by boosters and parents.

“It was a big thing for myself and the staff to finally get over the hump,” Grady said. “The teams are different every year, so I don’t think the players were as aware of the streak as we were. It’s finally over.”

Loyola overcame a 10-point deficit by scoring 2 touchdowns and getting 2 field goals by Paul Stonehouse for a 20-10 lead and was never seriously threatened afterward. The Cubs took control on their opening possession of the second half with a 29-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Smith to wide receiver Kieron Estrada.

Estrada’s touchdown reception was the game’s turning point. Mater Dei defenders Tim Vasin and Roger Merritt appeared to have Smith’s pass intercepted at the Monarch 1-yard line, but in their haste to make the interception, they deflected the ball into the waiting arms of Estrada, who was about 2 yards behind the duo.

Estrada caught the pass for a touchdown, Loyola had a 20-10 lead and Mater Dei was about to exit the single-elimination tournament.

“That play killed us,” said Chuck Gallo, Mater Dei coach. “We had two guys standing there waiting for the ball, and they end up getting a touchdown. That was the key play. Otherwise, we’re going for the lead score in the fourth quarter.”

Well, not quite. Loyola had a 23-10 lead when Mater Dei quarterback Danny O’Neil rallied the Monarchs for a touchdown with only 4:23 to play. O’Neil capped a 70-yard drive with a 1-yard dive into the end zone and Ammann’s conversion kick got Mater Dei closer, 23-17.

But Loyola responded with a 33-yard run by second-string tailback Mike Buckley with 53 seconds remaining to clinch the victory. Buckley, playing for injured running back Johann Fuller, gained 165 yards in 25 carries.

Both teams played without their top defensive players. Jason Uhl, Mater Dei’s fine tackle, injured his shoulder with 2:01 remaining in the first quarter and did not return to the lineup. Matt Butkus, Loyola linebacker, was held out of the game with an ankle injury.

Loyola amassed 270 yards rushing as the Cubs continually burned Mater Dei on outside pitches and sweeps for long gains. The Cubs had only 49 yards passing.

“I thought our team showed great character after going down by 10 points and then coming back with our top runner (Fuller) getting hurt,” Grady said. “It’s tough when you lose a 1,200-yard rusher in the first quarter.”

O’Neil completed 13 of 30 passes for 112 yards and 2 interceptions.