PREP FOOTBALL ROUNDUP : Servite Can’t Keep Loyola From Setting Up Title Showdown

After dropping its first three Angelus League games, Servite has little left to play for this season except pride.

Early against No. 8 Loyola Saturday night at Glendale High School, it appeared the Friars might have a chance to spoil the Cubs’ league title hopes. But in the end, it was just another lopsided, 38-6 loss after Servite surrendered 28 second-half points.

The victory gave Loyola a chance to win the league title with a victory over Bishop Amat Friday. Loyola (8-1, 2-1 in league) is tied with Mater Dei for second. Bishop Amat is 3-0 in league.

Servite (2-7, 0-4) trailed, 7-6, after cornerback Ariel Ordonez intercepted a pass by Loyola quarterback Corby Smith and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown with 1:21 remaining in the first quarter.

A second-quarter field goal pushed Loyola’s lead to 10-6 at halftime.

But Servite’s hopes ended in the second half, both because the Friars could not contain the Cubs’ running game and because its own runners were held to minus 1 yard for the game.

Loyola gained 349 yards rushing. Matt Vanis carried 20 times for 136 yards and two touchdowns, and Alex Yeboah carried 15 times for 105 yards.

Loyola scored on three of five possessions in the second half and added another touchdown on a 19-yard interception return by Chad Nuss with 12 seconds remaining in the third quarter that made it 24-6.

The Friars had one good chance to score in the second half after Scott Jones completed a 46-yard pass to Michael Hill, putting Servite at the Loyola 34. But the drive stalled three plays later.