Hart Takes It on the Run

Kyle Matter of Hart High did something Friday night his famous predecessor could not, leading the Indians to a 26-7 victory over Loyola in a nonleague game at College of the Canyons.

“It’s a big win for us,” Coach Mike Herrington of Hart said. “Any time you can beat Loyola . . . they have such a great tradition behind them.”

Matter & Co. delivered payback for two consecutive losses to Loyola, a perennial Southern Section Division I power.

The Cubs were the only team to beat Hart and Kyle Boller on the field last season when an errant snap cost the Indians a short game-winning field goal attempt in a 23-22 defeat.

A year and 14 consecutive victories later, Hart relied heavily on its ground game in the second half to sit on the lead and run out the clock.

Sophomore Tim Gregory finished with 112 yards in 18 carries.

The Indians (5-0) lined up fullback Pat Norton at tight end for the first time this season to give Matter added protection on several plays.

Norton saw the most action of his senior season, catching five passes for 45 yards and rushing eight times for 21 yards. Three of his catches were acrobatic. He scored on an 18-yard pass play and a three-yard run.

“When you have a 250-pound fullback like him, you take advantage of it,” Herrington said.

Norton certainly didn’t mind.

“I enjoyed the hell out of this game,” said Norton, who has committed to UCLA. “It was tiring, though.”

Norton scored on Hart’s first possession, catching a short pass over the middle, breaking several tackles and rumbling into the end zone for a 7-0 lead.

Hart’s defense forced Loyola to three-and-out series on its first three possessions.

A shanked punt that went out of bounds at the Hart 30 set up Loyola’s only score. On third and eight, quarterback Eric McClenahan found a wide-open Terence Bowman for a 28-yard scoring strike when defensive back Patrick Thanteraphong fell at the goal line.

But the Indians made few mistakes on defense, limiting the Cubs to only two first downs in their first 11 possessions.

“Our defense is really coming together,” said Norton, who also starts at linebacker. “[Opponents] beware.”

Under pressure for the second time in three weeks, Matter delivered, completing 15 of 21 passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns.

Matter hooked up with Chris Ciccone in the corner of the end zone for a 25-yard strike and a 14-7 lead with 4:36 left in the first half.

Hart’s offense stalled early in the second half, but the Indians broke through in the fourth quarter.

Garrett Fuller’s interception set up Hart at Loyola’s 35 late in the third quarter. Five plays later, Matter threw a quick pass to Jared Bazar, who broke one tackle and scored from 17 yards.

Hart scored again on its next possession, Norton capping a 63-yard drive with his three-yard run.

Week 5

COLLEGE COVERAGE

* COLLEGE GAMEDAY

* THIS WEEK IN THE BIG SKY

* UCLA 2, NORTHRIDGE 1

In men’s soccer, sloppy timekeeping cost the Matadors in a double overtime loss to the sixth-ranked Bruins.

* WSC CROSS-COUNTRY

Brian Spangenberg, a 35-year-old freshman for College of the Canyons, won his first conference meet of the season.

Coverage, Page 10