HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ROUNDUP : Loyola Shuts Out Antelope Valley

Antelope Valley Coach Brent Newcomb went into Saturday night’s nonleague game at Glendale High hoping that his team would play with consistency against favored Loyola.

He got his wish.

Antelope Valley lost, 17-0, the second consecutive shutout the Antelopes have suffered against Loyola.

However, Antelope Valley, which has never beaten Loyola in six meetings, proved a tough obstacle for the Cubs, who are ranked second in the Southern Section Division I poll.

The game was scoreless until late in the first half, when Corby Smith hit Darren Jenkins with a 25-yard scoring pass to give Loyola a 7-0 lead.

“Our defense played real well in the first half,” Newcomb said. “Until that touchdown pass, we had nearly four quarters of shutout ball.”

Loyola (4-0) opened the second half with a 7 1/2-minute drive that resulted in a 27-yardfield goal by Lance Harmon. More importantly, it wore down Antelope Valley’s defense.

Loyola finished with 303 yards rushing, with Matt Vanis leading the attack with 125 yards in 16 carries. Chelsa Blanks led the Antelopes with 79 yards in 15 carries. Antelope Valley (1-3) managed just 126 yards offensively.

Newcomb took the loss in stride.

“For us being a bunch of farmers coming to the city, it’s nice to see how a class program is run,” Newcomb said.

After Loyola took a 17-0 lead in the fourth quarter, Antelope Valley mounted its lone scoring threat. Freddie Edwards faked a reverse on the kickoff and returned the ball 65 yards to the Loyola 33-yard line. However, Peter Holt missed a 47-yard field-goal attempt.