Loyola Rallies in Second Half

Los Angeles Loyola High’s offense was about as intimidating as a water pistol in the first half Saturday night after scoring on its first play from scrimmage against Anaheim Servite in a nonleague game at Glendale High.

The Cubs gained only 73 yards the rest of the half as the Friars stifled their running game and limited quarterback Adam Gonzalez to four-of-11 passing for 26 yards. Servite led by four points heading into the third quarter.

That’s when Gonzalez took the game into his hands, passing for a touchdown and rushing for 51 second-half yards as Loyola, ranked No. 4 in the Times’ regional rankings, rallied for a 21-11 victory over the Friars.

“We just knew we were going to come back and play hard,” said Gonzalez, who completed five of seven passes in the second half. “This game is 48 minutes, not 24.”

No. 25 Servite (4-2) set up Loyola’s final two touchdowns with miscues. Mike Lawrence had an 18-yard punt midway through the third quarter that gave the Cubs (5-0) the ball at the Servite 49-yard line. Six plays later, Gonzalez found Alex Koplin in the end zone for a 26-yard scoring strike that put Loyola up, 14-11.

Matthew Slater fumbled a reception on the Friars’ next series. The Cubs parlayed the turnover into another touchdown when running back Chad Slapnicka bulled ahead for a three-yard score on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Servite quarterback Ryan Coffelt completed five passes on the ensuing drive before throwing the ball directly into the hands of Loyola defensive back Chase Brogan. Loyola ate the remaining 9 minutes 33 seconds off the clock with a ball-control drive in which the Cubs gained six first downs.

“I really liked our offense in the second half in that we kept the drives going,” Loyola Coach Steve Grady said, “but I never felt comfortable.”

Servite led, 11-7, at halftime after giving up an 80-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage on a play that the Cubs took directly from the Friar playbook.

Loyola wide receiver Quintin Daniels lined up in the backfield, took a pitch and ran untouched into the end zone after putting a move on Servite safety Doug Middleton at the Friar 25. Daniels suffered a sprained shoulder after intercepting a pass late in the second quarter and did not return.

The Friars pulled to within 7-5 later in the first quarter after Lawrence made a 27-yard field goal and Loyola punter Max Garcia picked up a ball snapped over his head and ran out the back of the end zone for a safety.

Servite took an 11-7 lead early in the second quarter when Eric Hilde (nine catches for 113 yards) scored on a 26-yard touchdown pass.

Former Loyola standout quarterback and defensive back Matt Ware had his No. 17 jersey retired in a halftime ceremony.