Miserly Saugus, Potent Loyola Place 2-0 Records on the Line

Loyola and Saugus highs, each having won two football games in convincing fashion, are ready for a test.

At least that is how both coaches are approaching tonight’s 7 p.m. nonleague game between the Cubs (2-0) and Centurions (2-0) at Canyon High.

“I think we’re pretty good,” said Jack Bowman, coach of a Saugus team that has outscored its opponents, 73-14. “But we’ll find out a lot this week. Loyola is always a good, well-coached, physical opponent.”

Loyola has beaten Fountain Valley, 21-7, and Canyon, 34-7, but Coach Steve Grady expects a tougher time tonight.

“We have not played an upper-echelon opponent yet,” he said. “Saugus is big, strong and bulky, and (its Delaware wingT offense) presents different problems for our defense.”

The key matchup, however, will be the Saugus defense against a Loyola offense that gained 370 yards against Canyon last week. The Cubs, who prefer to run inside, used nine running backs and gained 241 yards on the ground. Leading rusher Mike Ellison (13 carries, 114 yards, two touchdowns) played only the first half.

The Centurions stuffed Palmdale last week, making 10 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and limiting the Falcons to minus-34 yards rushing. Saugus has allowed a total of 67 yards rushing and 74 passing and ranks third among area Southern Section schools in team defense. Saugus linebacker Matt Gillis has six sacks.

In another nonleague contest tonight, Nordhoff and St. Bonaventure are scheduled to play a 7:30 at Ventura High.