Cypress Wins After Loara’s Conversion Fails

Cypress’ offense matched Loara touchdown for touchdown, and its defense held on a two-point conversion with two minutes left to seal a 35-34 Empire League victory Thursday night at Western High School.

Loara was called for two roughing-the-kicker penalties, each on extended drives that led to Cypress scores.

The Saxons (2-4-2, 0-2-1) struck quickly in the opening quarter, scoring on a 22-yard run by running back Denis Dawson on the second play of the game.

The Centurions battled back with a three-yard touchdown run by running back Bobby Brito, who answered Loara’s second score with a 23-yard catch from David Wheeler in the second quarter. Running back Greg Cleave scored from four yards to give the Centurions a 21-14 lead at halftime.

The Centurion defense, which had held Dawson to 55 yards in 10 carries in the first half, struggled early in the third quarter, allowing Dawson to score on runs of one and 33 yards. Cleave answered with an 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, tying the score at 28-28 after three quarters.

Wheeler scored on a 13-yard touchdown run to put the Centurions up with 5:46 left, but couldn’t keep Loara’s offense off the field. Quarterback Jim Kirkland connected to Mike Boomsma for a 16-yard score to pull within one.

After a holding penalty set Loara back 10 yards, the two-point conversion pass was broken up in the end zone seal the victory.