Loyola Shuts Down Alemany, 24-7

Just when it appeared as if Alemany High had hit its offensive stride and stood a good chance of rising from the Del Rey League cellar to the penthouse in one season, along came an ogre like Loyola to squash the Indians’ hopes.

In the end, one half of misery was sufficient to dispatch the Indians and their designs on a first league title.

Riding a sizable first-half lead Saturday, Loyola cruised past Alemany, 24-7, at Glendale High.

Loyola (7-1 overall, 3-0 in league play) took a 24-0 lead at intermission by keeping the ball on the ground, often employing two tight ends and gnawing through the Indians’ defense like a saber saw.

Much of the damage was self-inflicted, however. The Indians were hampered by poor tackling and tagged with 75 yards in penalties--most of which came in critical situations.

“We had a zillion penalties that killed us,” Alemany Coach Pat Blackburn said.

And the Cubs were no saints, either. They were penalized seven times for 85 yards.

“As soon as I give the game ball, I’ll take it away with all the holding calls,” quipped Loyola Coach Steve Grady, adding that he actually does not give a game ball.

If he did, Kahlil McAlpin would be a prime candidate for it.

McAlpin, who led all rushers with 110 yards in 22 carries, scored on runs of four and two yards. Alex Yeboah (64 yards in nine carries) added a touchdown on an impressive, 37-yard effort.

Alemany (4-4, 1-1) clamped down defensively in the second half and got its offense rolling. With 1:19 to play in the third quarter, sophomore tailback Terry Barnum capped a 12-play, 91-yard drive with a nine-yard run.

Brent Chalker added the extra point to trim the deficit to 24-7.

The Cubs answered with a time-consuming drive, and when Alemany got the ball back midway through the fourth quarter, it was unable to cross midfield.

Although the Indians’ running game had gained momentum in recent weeks, it was stifled Saturday.

Barnum gained 47 yards in 10 carries, but the rest of the team accounted for minus-16 yards.

Quarterback Joey Rosselli, a left-handed senior who entered the week with a Valley-area high of 1,392 passing yards, was able to roll out and find some seams between the 20-yard lines. Despite having four of his first six passes fall incomplete, he connected on 14 of 24 for 192 yards. He threw one interception.

Rosselli’s favorite receiver was Billy Markowitz, who caught five passes for 77 yards.

“Getting open was harder then it looked,” Markowitz said. Especially when all-league linebacker Kevin Dell’Amico was roaming in the backfield.

Loyola gained 182 yards rushing in the first half. The Indians were held to a paltry 11 yards rushing.