Loara Defense Thwarts Western in 7-6 Victory

Loara relied on its defense to turn back Western, 7-6, in the season opener for both teams Thursday at Handel Stadium. And, as it turned out, there wasn’t an alternative for the Saxons.

With their offense faltering after a 41-yard drive produced a touchdown on the Saxons’ opening series, their defense pitched a second-half shutout.

Four of Western’s six possessions in the second half advanced into Loara territory, but the Pioneers could only manage a 38-yard field-goal attempt that sailed wide left with 3 minutes 28 seconds left.

“When you’re on your own side of the 50 three-quarters of the game and only allow six points . . . we were pretty lucky,” Loara Coach John deFries said. “The defense played well. They had their backs to the wall and stood up well.”

The offensive stats for both teams were forgettable. Loara managed to grind out 163 yards rushing, but most of it came between the 30-yard lines. Western had 29 yards rushing, 16 passing.

Loara was effective only on its first possession, taking over on Western’s 41. Seven plays later, Saxon quarterback Mister Albritton found Jason Hart alone in the end zone for an eight-yard touchdown. Chris Valentin’s extra point proved to be the difference.

Western scored on a six-yard pass from quarterback Brandon Brennan to split end Jason Christensen with 6:06 left in the half. Jason Covarrubias’ extra point was wide left, however.

All things considered it wasn’t a bad start for Western, which has just eight seniors on the roster and only one starting on the offensive and defensive lines.

“I expected we’d have some trouble,” Western Coach Jim Howell said. “We’re so young. I was glad to be in the game. What hurts is we didn’t make the plays to win. (But) the mistakes we made are correctable.”

Loara had four turnovers, which deFries said helped keep Western close. Western’s missed field goal late in the game was set up by a fumble by Loara running back Denison Dawson at the Pioneer 23.

“We just killed ourselves with turnovers,” deFries said. “You’re not going to win games by doing that. You can’t keep turning the ball over and expect the defense to bail you out.”

Loara suffered a key loss when Bryant Jackson, an all-Empire League lineman, left the game with a dislocated finger with 4:49 left in the third quarter. He was taken to a local hospital for X-rays, deFries said.