Saugus No Match for Loyola

VALENCIA — As Saugus High’s football players left the field Friday night, they discussed how they were going to get ripped by their coaches in practice Monday.

That will make two rippings in a week after Loyola, the state’s third-ranked team, forced six turnovers and dominated every facet of the game en route to a 35-6 victory over the Centurions at College of the Canyons.

Saugus (1-2) could not generate any offense, partly because it could not hold on to the ball. Three of the Centurions’ six first-half possessions ended in turnovers. The Cubs (3-0) capitalized on the mistakes to take a 14-0 halftime lead.

Things did not improve for Saugus in the second half. The Centurions, already trailing, 28-6, drove to the Loyola 31-yard line early in the fourth quarter before quarterback Chris Kobe threw his second interception and John Hilvert returned it 72 yards for a touchdown.

On the Centurions’ next play from scrimmage, Kobe threw his third interception.

“We did not play well,” Saugus Coach Jack Bowman said. “When you turn the ball over six times against the third-ranked team in the state, you’re going to lose 35-6.”

Not only did Loyola force turnovers, the hard-hitting Cubs knocked five Saugus players out of the game and held the Centurions to 131 rushing yards.

Kobe, who completed 16 of 30 passes for 143 yards, also led the Centurions in rushing with 64 yards in 12 carries. He scored Saugus’ only touchdown on a one-yard sneak.