After being overwhelmed by a combined 119-14 score in its last two games against Gilman, Loyola handled the challenge presented by the No. 1 Greyhounds much better when the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference rivals met Saturday afternoon.
In the end, the the Dons never really seriously threatened to win the game, as the Greyhounds secured a 27-14 victory at Hargaden Field in Towson. But Loyola certainly left an impression.
"All you have to do is look at their game film," Gilman coach Biff Poggi said. "They have talent and speed — and are very well coached. One thing I'm sure of: Nobody will out-coach Loyola."
The No. 9 Dons (3-3) held the powerful Gilman (6-1) offense in check in the first quarter, stopping a deep Greyhound drive by forcing a fumble that junior Alex Hunt recovered at the Loyola 5-yard line.
But Loyola was unable to move the ball on the ensuing possession, and Gilman started its next drive with terrific field position at the Loyola 33. The Greyhounds got a a 24-yard field goal from Trevor Wey to take a 3-0 lead early in the second quarter.
The first of five turnovers — a fumble that Gilman sophomore Melvin Keihn returned 14 yards for a touchdown — increased the Greyhounds' lead to 10-0.
Gilman then added a 6-yard touchdown run by senior Cyrus Jones before Loyola got on the board with a 4-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Jake Clise to senior receiver Deemer Class late in the second quarter.
Leading 17-7 heading into the second half, Gilman added another score on senior fullback Kenneth Goins' 14-yard blast up the middle, and Wey stretched the margin further with a 27-yard field goal with 1:36 left in the third quarter.
On its final possession, Loyola covered 69 yards in seven plays, capped by a 2-yard touchdown plunge by senior Kacy Kapinos. Class (16-yard reception), Kapinos (23-yard run) and senior wideout Jordan Floyd (28-yard reception) each made big plays on the drive .
"After getting destroyed the last two seasons [by Gilman], this is the best we've played defense since I've been here," said Class, a Duke lacrosse recruit who also plays defensive back.
Poggi emphatically backed up that statement, noting that last week's emotional 28-21 win over No. 2 Calvert Hall isn't the reason his team struggled at times against Loyola.
"Physically, we got crushed," he said. "We were at the top of our game, and they just drilled us."
No. 1 Gilman 27, No. 9 Loyola 14
G 0 17 7 3 -- 27
L 0 7 0 7 -- 14
G—Wey 24 FG
G—Keihn 14 fumble rec. (Wey kick)
G—Jones 6 run (Wey kick)
L—Class 4 pass from Clise (Dubyoski kick)
G—Goins 14 run (Wey kick)
G—Wey 27 FG
L—Kapinos 2 run (Dubyoski kick)