Loyola Loses to Mater Dei in Angelus League Debut

If nothing else, Santa Ana Mater Dei High School’s 3-0 victory Thursday night ushered Loyola into the Angelus League in style.

It was a tense, defensive struggled that might have left bitter feelings between the two schools.

But the victory also established Mater Dei as a contender in the league.

Loyola, which joined the Angelus League this season, came into the game undefeated and was considered one of the top teams in the Southern Section. The Lions were ranked No. 4 by The Times.

But the Cubs were stopped cold by the Monarchs’ defense time and time again.

The Monarchs, 4-3 overall and 2-0 in league play, gave up 236 yards but held when it counted. They stopped the Cubs twice inside the 10-yard line and managed to keep them out of field goal range in the fourth quarter.

“We have played a difficult schedule (this season) and this is where it pays off,” Mater Dei Coach Bruce Rollinson said. “Loyola is a good team, but they haven’t played in crunch time yet this season.”

Loyola (6-1, 0-1) had only two scoring opportunities. The Cubs moved to the Monarch seven in the first quarter, mostly on the running of Matt Vanis (99 yards). However, the drive stalled and Lance Harmon missed a 24-yard field goal attempt.

In the third quarter, the Cubs drove from their seven to the Mater Dei five, where they faced a third-and-one situation.

Quarterback Corby Smith fumbled the snap on third down and then Vanis was stopped for no gain on fourth down.

“It was fourth and inches, I thought we could make it,” Loyola Coach Stephen Grady said.

The Monarchs were also ineffective on offense, gaining only 176 yards. Tailback Derek Sparks, who had gained 732 yards in four games, gained only 54 yards in 22 carries.

Mater Dei’s only points came on a 40-yard field goal by Brian Broadbent midway through the second quarter.

“Our defense did a great, great job,” Grady said. “Our offense stunk it up.”