Loss Leaves Servite in Jeopardy : Football: Loyola’s 14-0 victory takes Friars out of automatic playoff spot and waiting for possible at-large selection.

Loyola stonewalled Servite’s direct path into the Southern Section Division I playoffs Saturday night with a 14-0 victory over the Friars at Gahr High School.

Loyola’s victory created a three-way tie between the Cubs, Mater Dei and Bishop Amat for the Angelus League championship. All three are 3-1. Servite (6-4, 1-3) would have earned an automatic playoff berth with a victory but now must hope for an at-large bid today.

From the beginning, the Cubs (7-2) dampened the Friars’ hopes, taking the opening kickoff and drove 69 yards for a touchdown. Clelio Boccato threw a 20-yard scoring pass to running back Matt Vanis, and John Stonehouse drew a roughing-the-kicker penalty after successfully making the extra point.

Kicking off from the Friar 35, Loyola tried an onside kick, and Jerome Henry recovered on the Servite 31. Although Loyola failed to score, only four minutes 15 seconds remained in the first quarter before the Friars ran an offensive play.

Vanis (109 yards in 14 carries) put the Cubs ahead, 14-0, early in the second quarter when he spun off two defenders at the line of scrimmage and broke free for an 80-yard touchdown run with 10:39 remaining in the half.

From there, the Cub defense, led by Chris Econn, Anthony Havorka, Paul Rodarte and Francis Porter, did the rest. The defense limited the Friars to 142 yards total offense, including 32 yards rushing. Servite quarterback Josh Nelson was sacked eight times for 46 yards, Econn assisting on six.

The Friars’ deepest penetration occurred after they took the second-half kickoff to the Cubs’ 17. But an incomplete pass and sacks by Econn and Peter Arrobio ended the threat.