No. 10 Archbishop Spalding started slowly Friday night, as it hosted No. 6 Loyola for its third meeting with a MIAA A Conference foe in four games. The defending B Conference champions, however, picked up steam quickly in the second quarter and rolled over the Dons in the second half to post an eye-opening 49-21 victory.
Spalding running back K.K.Smith piled up 205 yards on 22 carries, scored three touchdowns rushing, and took a punt return 65 yards to the end zone to lead the Cavaliers (2-2). He also recorded a huge sack in the second quarter which knocked out Loyola quarterback Mike Fafaul, who opened the game with a hot hand.
JD Izon was also a big producer in the running game for coach Mike Whittles, as he picked up 123 yards on nine carries. The tandem of Smith and Izon gashed the Dons for a combined total of 328 yards rushing.
Yet another Cavalier back who had a big impact was Shelley White who produced a 20-yard TD run and raced 23 yards for a score with an interception return in the third quarter. The Cavs rolled off 49 consecutive points.
“I’ve got two of the best running backs in the state,” said Whittles. “KK is a terrific football player who makes things happen. Tonight we played well offensively, defensively and on special teams. It was a team victory.”
Loyola (1-2) jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead behind Fafaul, scoring on a five-yard run by Ryan Young and an eight-yard pass from Fafaul to Jordan Floyd on their first two possessions.
Spalding answered in the second quarter, when Smith capped an 80 yard drive with a 14 yard dash to the end zone.
Just before the half ended, Smith came free on a blitz and drilled Fafaul just as he was releasing a pass. The QB left the game and was eventually taken to the hospital for precautionary x-rays by paramedics. The medical attention delayed the start of the second half and it had an obvious affect on both teams.
In the second half, Loyola was flat while Spalding built momentum with each play.
“I was called for a blitz and me and my left defensive end talked. He told me to go outside,” said Smith of the sack. “I faked inside and went outside, and it was wide open, and I made the hit.”
Smith made his way over to Fafaul as the quarterback was leaving the field for the hospital in a moving display of great sportsmanship.
In the fourth quarter Smith added a 65 yard touchdown run and his punt return for a TD, while Izon scored on a 44 yard burst. Loyola’s Deemer Class capped the scoring by going 75 yards for touchdown on a kickoff return.
Spalding linebacker Zach Waller had a big game on defense, making 15 individual tackles.
White gave credit for the win to the defensive line.
“At half-time our coaches told us to keep our heads up,” said White. “We came out and scored 49 unanswered points.”
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No. 10 Archbishop Spalding 49, No. 6 Loyola 21
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| Loyola | 14 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
| Archbishop Spalding | 0 | 7 | 20 | 22 | 49 |
1st Q
LOY-Young 5 run (Dubyoski kick)
LOY-Floyd 8 yard pass from Fafaul (Dubyoski kick)
2nd Q
AS-Smith14 run (Weiman kick)
3rd Q
AS-White 20 run (Weiman kick)
AS-Smith 3 run (Weiman kick)
AS-White 23 yard interception return (kick failed)
4th Q
AS-Smith 65 yard run (Izon run)
AS-Izon 44 run (Weiman kick)
AS-Smith 65 punt return (Weiman kick)
LOY-Class 75 kickoff return (Dubyoski kick)
