Big Plays Go Bishop Amat’s Way

Evenly matched at most positions, the Loyola High-La Puente Bishop Amat showdown Saturday night was decided the way it is almost every year--by big plays.

But this time, after years of frustration, it was Loyola that broke through for a 23-14 victory over the Lancers before an estimated crowd of 10,000 at Glendale High.

Loyola, ranked No. 4 by The Times, improved to 6-1 and 2-0 in the Del Rey League and halted a 12-game losing streak to No. 8 Bishop Amat (5-2, 1-1).

“It’s a big, big win for us,” said Loyola Coach Steve Grady, whose team hadn’t defeated the Lancers since 1977. “It’s been tough on us because we’ve played hard every year and fell short.”

A long pass play, a fumble recovery and two long touchdown runs by junior running back Wesley Williard sparked Loyola.

Bishop Amat led 14-10 at the half after two second-quarter touchdowns--a six-yard run by Breon Ansley and a 58-yard pass from Sean Koelle to Joey Getherall.

The Cubs took the lead for good, 16-14, when Williard ran up the middle for a 49-yard touchdown on Loyola’s first possession of the third quarter.

Williard gave Loyola a 23-14 lead midway through the fourth quarter when he broke a couple of tackles and sprinted into the end zone from 38 yards out, two plays after Bishop Amat quarterback Sean Koelle lost a fumble on the Lancer 39-yard line.

“We made the big plays in the second half,” Grady said. “We haven’t made those plays over the years against them.”