EMPIRE LEAGUE FOOTBALL : Loara Controls Ball, Defeats Century, 17-0

Loara controlled the ball for more than 31 minutes in defeating Century, 17-0, in an Empire League opener Thursday night at Glover Stadium.

The Saxons were stopped on no gain on their first possession but took over on the Century 30-yard line when Aaron Cruz recovered a fumbled punt.

On second and 11 from the Century 17, Loara Coach John deFries inserted seniors Carson Crucil (221 pounds) and Kerry Peoples (180) into the Saxon backfield and the pair went the distance on six plays, with Peoples scoring from the five, to give Loara the 7-0 lead.

“We wanted to get our physical people in early, something we haven’t done much this year,” deFries said. It was the only time the two played on offense in the game.

The starting backfield of junior Marcus McBride (165 pounds) and sophomore John Duhon (155) did the bulk of the running.

Loara built a 14-0 advantage in the second quarter when Jim Kirkland connected on an eight-yard scoring pass to Aaron Beverly.

The Saxons increased their lead to 17-0 in the third quarter when Pat Marmaud made a 19-yard field goal after a drive in which the Saxons gained 27 yards themselves and 25 on penalties.

Century showed some offensive spark in the fourth quarter. Stanley Villanueva hit Jorge Rodriguez with a 50-yard pass but the drive ended on the 16.