Boys' Latin coach Richie Schell figured his team would have a difficult time running the ball against Loyola Blakefield in the opener for both schools Friday.
"Our offensive line is very young," Schell said. "I think we're going to have to change a few things around."
Still, knowing the Lakers of the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association B Conference would need a balanced attack if they were going to stay in the game against an A Conference opponent, Schell still tried his best to get the ground game working against the Dons' talented front seven.
No luck.
As if it wasn't enough to limit Boys' Latin to a mere 65 total rushing yards, Loyola's defense also scored a touchdown and added a safety in a 23-3 victory at Hargaden Field in Towson.
"We just listen to our coaches and try to get off the ball as quickly as possible," said the Dons' defensive ringleader, Evan Boozer, a junior standout who had a sack, several tackles for losses and blocked a punt for a safety.
Boozer and his mates, seniors Dom Clark, Trevor Henigan, Jack Glock, A.J. Carver and Van Minter, were constantly winning the battles at the point of the attack while holding sophomore running back Josh Pugh and junior quarterback Brenden Crouse in check for most of the contest.
Even so, the Lakers' defense was also more than holding its own in a back-and-forth struggle that remained scoreless until 2:24 remained in the first half on a 2-yard burst up the gut by Loyola senior running back Azende' Smith.
"I think our defense played great," said Schell, pointing to seniors Cooper Nalley, Victor Dimukeje and Desmond Banks.
Originally, it appeared that the Dons would be unable to score on that drive as well until a roughing-the-passer penalty on a 3rd-and-16 from the Boys' Latin 45-yard line gave them a first down at the Laker 30.
From there, junior quarterback Will Koras threaded the needle on a 28-yard slant pass to senior wideout Kenny Lewis before Smith scored on the next play to make it 7-0 after senior Tommy McLaughlin's conversion kick.
On the ensuing possession, Crouse directed a drive highlighted by a 20-yard completion to sophomore wideout Nick Liana that eventually reached Loyola's 9-yard line. Sophomore Sam Grace capped the sequence with a 19-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 7-3 at the half.
After Crouse found Banks for a 21-yard gain to the Loyola 46-yard line early in the third period, the Lakers then made a critical mistake when it fumbled twice backwards on the same play.
Henigan recovered the fumble all the way down to the BL 12-yard line, allowing Smith to bloat the lead to 14-3 two plays later on a 1-yard plunge.
The game-changer came on the Lakers' next drive when senior defensive back Omar Whiting gathered in a deflected pass and raced 75 yards down the sideline for a pick six to make it, 21-3.
Early in the fourth quarter, Boozer snuffed a punt for a safety and the final points of the game.
"Nobody touched me," Boozer said. "Coach told me, 'If you get a chance, lay out (for the ball).' And for Omar to get that pick, that put BL out of the game."
Loyola coach Brant Hall said the Dons are stout up front.
"Our defensive line is the strength of the team," he said. "But offensively, BL was ready for our screens. They did a good job, and we had way too many penalties. But it's great to be 1-0."