Loyola Can’t Overcome a 60-Yard Field Goal

Loyola High players milled gleefully about the sideline, their victory over Los Alamitos seemingly in hand as Chris Kluwe lined up for a 60-yard, last-second field goal that could send the game into overtime.

“They have got to be kidding themselves!” one Cub exclaimed. “Who is this guy?”

Now Loyola knows.

Kluwe’s 60-yarder cleared the crossbar--barely--and propelled Los Alamitos to a 30-23 double overtime victory over the Cubs in the Division I quarterfinals before about 6,500 at Glendale High.

For the second consecutive season the Griffins (11-1) advanced to the semifinals, where they play Long Beach Poly.

Kluwe, who has committed to UCLA, said he knew his kick, one of his three in field goals in the game, was good as soon as it left his foot.

“I was thinking I’ve just got to make it,” said Kluwe, whose other field goals covered 47 and 28 yards, and had two others blocked. “Mainly I wanted to get my foot into it and not have it blocked.”

Mike Sanford’s 25-yard pass to Tony Holder in the right corner of the end zone gave the Griffins the decisive score in the second overtime.

Loyola (8-4) had fourth and six at the Los Alamitos eight-yard line on its possession when quarterback Matt Ware was blindsided by defensive lineman Matt Abrams behind the line of scrimmage, wrapping up the victory.

Both teams scored touchdowns in the first overtime after regulation ended in a 16-16 tie.

Sanford completed 25 of 37 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns. Adam Nauta had 122 yards rushing and two touchdowns in 24 carries.

“This has been a great group of kids,” Coach John Barnes said. “They have overachieved all year.”

For Loyola, which lost leads of 10-7, 13-10 and 16-13, Taylor Williams rushed for 148 yards and a touchdown in 24 carries.

Nathan Oakes of Loyola kicked field goals of 35, 27 and 32 yards.

Loyola defeated Los Alamitos in the only other meeting between the schools in the 1995 Division I semifinals, 37-34.