Loyola Stops Cougars Cold, 21-6

MISSION VIEJO — Loyola used a stifling defense, limiting Capistrano Valley to 50 yards in the first three quarters, to beat the Cougars, 21-6, Friday night in the opening round of the Southern Section Division I playoffs.

Loyola’s Kadar Hamilton scored on the opening play of the second quarter when he took a lateral and ran 64 yards for a touchdown.

“Our defense played well, except for that one play,” Capistrano Valley Coach Eric Patton said.

Said Loyola Coach Steve Grady: “He did a good job of faking out a couple of defenders.”

The Cougars (7-4) had a chance to tie score late in the first half. Sam Gaines completed his first pass of the game, a 21-yarder to Danny Geiss moving the ball to the Loyola seven on a fourth down play. But a clipping penalty moved the ball back to the 36 and forced the Cougars to punt.

Loyola (8-3) then put together an 80-yard scoring drive to take a 13-0 halftime advantage. Bobby Thomason connected on an eight-yard touchdown pass with 13 seconds left in the half. Bron Witten tackled Thomason, the holder, after he fumbled the snap on the extra-point attempt.

Two key penalties helped Loyola take a 21-0 lead. Kwane Cain, a 242-pound center, was inserted as running back and scored from the one on the first play of the fourth quarter. Hamilton scored the two-point conversion for the Cubs.

Capistrano Valley avoided the shutout with a touchdown with 6:13 left in the game. Sepeher Fallah scored on a nine-yard touchdown pass from Gaines. The extra-point attempt hit the cross bar and fell short.