Alemany beats Loyola, 28-14

When it comes to quarterbacks fulfilling their potential, put junior Devon Dunn of Mission Hills Alemany near the top of any list.

Untested and unknown when the season began, Dunn has become a consistent, mistake-free passer and leader. He completed 15 of 20 passes for 147 yards and three touchdowns Friday night to help the Warriors clinch at least a share of the Serra League championship with a 28-14 win over Los Angeles Loyola.

It was Dunn’s four-yard touchdown pass to Corey Sims on third and goal with 46 seconds left that broke a 14-14 tie. Then came a Steven Mitchell 52-yard interception return for a touchdown to seal the win.

Last season, Alemany won the Serra League championship behind senior quarterback Vernon Adams. Dunn’s task has been much more difficult. His opponents in league play are better, and all he had was a year of junior varsity experience. He has passed for 2,032 yards and 20 touchdowns.

“He’s playing smarter and our line is blocking better and he had some great reads tonight,” Coach Dean Herrington said.

Added Dunn: “Every game, the whole team has to get better, especially me. I’ve become more of a leader over the course of the season. I’ve had to make changes to the speed of the game.”

Alemany (7-2, 3-0) clinched one of the Serra League’s three Pac-5 Division playoff berths.

Loyola (7-2, 2-1) must defeat Encino Crespi (7-2, 1-2) next week to avoid a possible coin flip for a playoff spot. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (6-3, 1-2) defeated Bishop Amat, 17-12, to remain alive in the playoff hunt. The Knights play Alemany next week.

This game was decided in the fourth quarter. Trailing, 14-7, Loyola put together a 64-yard drive in which the Cubs converted a fourth-and-one situation from their own 45. Nicolas Cotton had a 31-yard screen pass to Wyatt Bradford and connected with Kodi Whitfield for a game-tying 18-yard touchdown pass play with 6:41 left.

Then Dunn sent Alemany on a 69-yard, 14-play drive. Sims got free in the right corner of the end zone as Dunn rolled out for the decisive pass of the night.

“As soon as Devon rolled out, I saw the ball in the air and had to take it,” Sims said.

Jerico Richardson caught touchdown passes of 14 and seven yards from Dunn to give Alemany a 14-7 halftime lead. Loyola received a 38-yard touchdown run from Wyatt Bradford.

Anaheim Servite 35, Santa Ana Mater Dei 28: Charlie Etiaki rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns in 13 carries to lead the Friars (8-1, 4-0) over the Monarchs (3-6, 1-3) at Angel Stadium. The victory gave Servite at least a share of the Trinity League title. Thomas Duarte had three touchdowns and made six receptions for 119 yards for the Monarchs, who are in danger of missing the postseason for the first time since 1986.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com