Mater Dei Denies Loyola, 3-0 : Prep football: Monarchs hand Angelus League’s new team its first defeat in tough defensive struggle that ended with bitterness.

SANTA ANA —  If nothing else, Mater Dei High School’s 3-0 victory Thursday ushered Loyola into the Angelus League in style. It was a tense defensive struggle that may have left bitter feelings between the two schools.

But the victory also gave Mater Dei credibility 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. But the Cubs were stopped cold by the Monarchs’ defense time and time again.

The Monarchs (4-3, 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 own seven to the Mater Dei five, where they faced a third-and-one situation. Quarterback Corby Smith fumbled the snap on third down and 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 total 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.”

Grady’s frustration continued after the game. He and members of the Loyola coaching staff left the field shouting at Mater Dei officials about Sparks, a controversial transfer from Montclair Prep.

Loyola Athletic Director Jon Dawson had recently criticized the transfer and said that Sparks had twice attempted to enroll at Loyola.

“We read those quotes to the team,” Rollinson said. “We had to.”