EMPIRE LEAGUE : Kirkland Leads Loara Past Cypress

Loara quarterback Jim Kirkland threw for 186 yards and one touchdown and ran for another score to lead the Saxons to a 28-6 Empire League victory over Cypress Thursday night at Glover Stadium.

The Saxons (4-5, 3-1) scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns. They moved into a tie for first place with El Dorado and Kennedy.

In a scoreless first half, Cypress managed only 37 yards of total offense.

Loara scored quickly in the second half. A 68-yard pass from Kirkland to Dalbert Rodriguez on the second play of the third quarter set up Kerry Peoples’ two-yard touchdown run with 10 minutes 20 seconds remaining.

Trailing 7-0, the Centurions (2-7, 0-4) battled back on their next possession. Bobby Brito’s two-yard run capped a six-play drive, making the score 7-6.

After a Loara touchdown pass was called back because of a holding penalty, the Saxons scored four plays later on a two-yard run by Kirkland.

The Saxons struck again on their next possession when Kirkland found Aaron Beverly on a 14-yard touchdown pass, giving Loara a 21-6 lead with 5:53 remaining.