Loyola Shuts Down St. Paul

Santa Fe Springs St. Paul had De’Andre Scott, one of the top running backs in the state who was the subject of a controversial late-season transfer.

Loyola had Greg Kavulich.

Greg Kavulich? The Cubs’ senior cornerback isn’t exactly at the top of college recruiters’ lists but he was a major player Friday night.

Kavulich had two interceptions and a fumble recovery as Loyola shut down Scott in a 21-14 victory at Pierce College that gave the Cubs the Del Rey League title.

Scott’s transfer to St. Paul from Mission Hills Alemany in the seventh week of the season stirred the Swordsmen’s hopes for a league championship. The 5-foot-9, 200-pound senior rushed for 185 yards against La Puente Bishop Amat and 115 against his former team in St. Paul’s first two league games.

But Loyola (9-1, 3-0) stifled Scott and the Swordsmen. Led by Kevin Harbour, Nathaniel Greene and Mike Hilsman, the Cubs dominated the line of scrimmage and held Scott to 54 yards in 17 carries.

“Our defense absolutely played super tonight,” Loyola Coach Steve Grady said. “They played tough. We knew that with De’Andre, they had a little more explosiveness but we just played very good defense.”

Said Scott: “They have a pretty good defense. I didn’t make the right moves at the right time.”

Loyola, which was allowing 10 points a game, came up big on St. Paul’s opening possession. With third and three at the Cub 40, quarterback Isaac Hernandez was off target on a pass and Kavulich intercepted it, returning the ball 29 yards to the St. Paul 45.

The Cubs took advantage by methodically moving downfield. On the eighth play of the drive, quarterback Matt Ware drew in the St. Paul defense on an option fake and went around the left side for an eight-yard touchdown run.

St. Paul (6-4, 2-1) put together an important drive near the end of the first half to seize the momentum from the Cubs.

Hernandez completed passes of 13 yards to running back Randy Rivas and 19 yards to Matt Jaurequi for first downs. With Loyola still squarely focused on stopping Scott, Hernandez went to the air again.

On second and 12 at the Loyola 37, Jaurequi got behind Kavulich and hauled in a long pass from Hernandez for a touchdown. Craig James’ point-after kick cut the Loyola lead to 14-7.

But Loyola dominated the second half.

Kavulich intercepted another pass in the third quarter and recovered a fumble by Scott with 9:40 left to stymie St. Paul again.

Rafael Rice gave the Cubs a 21-7 lead with a four-yard touchdown run with five minutes remaining, sealing the Swordsmen’s fate. Rice finished with 84 yards in 19 carries.

“We knew De’Andre was a major factor for them,” Kavulich said. “He didn’t get any long runs on us.”