Loyola Maintains Tradition by Beating Crespi, 34-6

As though historical trends weren’t daunting enough, there were warning signs everywhere for Crespi High on Friday night.

A blue-and-white flag with a large, capital L in the middle waved on the sideline.

A passel of helium balloons, formed in the shape of an L, was placed behind the visiting team’s bench.

And for the 11th time in 12 annual meetings, Loyola hung another “L” on outmanned Crespi.

Loyola scored three touchdowns in the second quarter to turn a scoreless game into what became a 34-6 rout in a Del Rey League game played before a Crespi homecoming crowd at Pierce College.

The Cubs, top-ranked in the state by Cal-Hi Sports, moved the ball with precision and considerable effectiveness. Senior quarterback Clelio Boccato was perfect, completing all 11 of his passes for 189 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

“They did what they did very well,” Crespi Coach Tim Lins said. “They called off the dogs pretty early too.”

Loyola kept it simple. Running backs Blake Hennon and Eric Rogers--neither of whom had 300 yards individually entering the game, combined for 235 yards. Rogers led the ground corps with 141 yards and had scoring runs of 37 and 18 yards. Hennon rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown and added a 45-yard scoring catch.

Loyola (7-0, 2-0 in league play) gained 431 yards, running mainly between tackles.

Crespi (5-2, 0-2) was held to 129 yards and has been outscored, 68-13, in the past two weeks. Tailback Torie Lee, named homecoming king at halftime, was crowned by the Cub defense, gaining just 79 yards in 18 carries. Quarterback Matt Walker completed nine of 16 passes for 62 yards.

“We’ve got to get a whole lot better,” Lins said. “Sure, we’ve played a couple of good football teams, but we have to improve or we’re in trouble.”

Crespi made a spirited defensive stand in the first quarter, stopping Loyola after a first-and-goal situation at the Celts’ eight. But the Cubs scored on their next five possessions.

Rogers scored on a 37-yard run on the Cubs’ second possession, and the runaway was on. Boccato added a pair of scoring passes and Loyola led at the half, 20-0.

Crespi’s special-teams play was partly to blame. With the Celts trailing, 14-0, late in the second quarter, Bach Stabile’s punt was blocked by David Olson. The next play, Boccato connected with tight end Tom Lieb for a touchdown.