Loyola Has Ace, Crespi Needs Wild Card

When Loyola High’s Nick Vanis fumbled the opening kickoff, it seemed to be the kind of break Crespi needed in its battle for football playoff survival.

But the Celts’ joy was short-lived, as the fumble was nullified by a face-mask penalty and Vanis did his part to end Crespi’s postseason plans.

Vanis rushed for 242 yards in 21 carries and scored both of the Cubs’ touchdowns in a 17-6 victory Saturday night at Glendale High.

The loss leaves Crespi (5-5, 2-3) in fourth place in the Del Rey League and at the mercy of the Southern Section as a wild card selection when playoff pairings are released today.

Loyola (8-2, 4-1) finished second in league play.

Had Crespi defeated Loyola, the Celts would have advanced to the playoffs as the third-place team and left Loyola hoping for the wild-card chance.

“These guys have played hard every game this season and to have a game like this is tough,” Crespi Coach Tim Lins said.

The Crespi offense struggled throughout the game. The Celts scored on an 89-yard fumble recovery by Jamian Barbour late in the third quarter to cut into a 17-point Loyola lead.

Todd McLean completed 14 of 32 passes for 99 yards for Crespi, but no completion went for more than 13 yards.

Loyola was able to stuff 1,000-yard rusher Barbour, holding the senior to eight yards in seven first-half carries. He finished with 51 yards in 14 carries.

McLean was able to spread around the passing game in the first half, completing his first five throws to different receivers, but the Loyola defense held those receptions to 32 yards.

After a 15-yard run by Vanis following a muffed punt return, Loyola extended the lead to 10-0 early in the second quarter on a 39-yard field goal by Michael Giampaolo.

Loyola drove deep into Crespi territory twice more in the first half, but was stopped on an interception by Joemil Santos and a missed field goal by Giampaolo.

The Celts finally had a sustained drive late in the second quarter, helped by a pass-interference penalty on a third-and-20 play, but the drive eventually stalled at midfield.

Vanis made the score 17-0 on a three-yard run following a lateral by McLean thrown behind Erick Gerencher and recovered by Tim Vanis of the Cubs.