Loyola Is in Control When It Matters Most in 21-14 Win

The game-clinching drive looked similar to most of the others Loyola High put together in its Southern Section Division I second-round game against Edison Friday night at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa.

Running back Bo Renaud punched through the defense for small gains. Quarterback Matt Ware displayed his agility with athletic plays for big gains.

The drive wasn’t finished with a touchdown, but it didn’t matter.

When Ware took a knee to run out the clock, Loyola had driven 64 yards in the final six minutes 23 seconds, sealing a 21-14 victory.

Loyola, which last made the Division I semifinals in 1997, will play Eisenhower next Friday at a site to be determined.

Edison drove to the Loyola 30 with 6:30 to play, but running back Darryl Poston was stopped on fourth-and-two.

Loyola (11-1) took over from there for the game-ending drive.

Said Loyola Coach Steve Grady: “That was a gut check for us and I’m proud of the way we came through.”

The Loyola defense controlled most of the game, limiting Edison to 93 yards. Poston, averaging 145 yards a game, had minus-14.

Still, Edison (9-3) got back in the game with a couple of big third-quarter plays by their defense and special teams.

Defensive back Chuck Linman intercepted a Ware pass and returned it 62 yards for a touchdown to pull Edison within 21-7 with 2:18 left in the quarter.

The Chargers then recovered the ensuing onside kick and closed the gap to a touchdown when quarterback Richard Schwartz found Christian Prelle in the left corner of the end zone on a fade route.

“I thought we had the game under control,” Grady said. “But then the worst thing that could have happened, happened. Give them credit for coming back.”

Loyola played most of the game without running back Rafael Rice, who injured his knee in a victory last week against Rialto. Grady said Rice is expected to play next week.

Renaud picked up for Rice, rushing for 102 yards and two touchdowns in 21 carries. Ware had 102 yards in 18 carries.