Alemany Drops Loyola, 24-21, Enters Playoffs

Defensive back Pat Aragon returned an interception 69 years for a touchdown with 6:51 left in the game Saturday night to lift visiting Alemany to a 24-21 victory over Del Rey League champion Loyola.

The win gave Alemany a second-place tie with St. John Bosco, filling the final Del Rey League playoff berth. Thursday, Crespi won a coin toss for third place, bur needed a Loyola victory Saturday night for a playoff berth.

Early in the game Alemany drove 60 yards and Grant Runnerstrum kicked a 29-yard field goal that gave the Indians a 3-0 lead. Quarterback Dan O’Neil hit wide receiver Tim Stoutt on the ensuing possession with a 36-yard touchdown pass, giving the Cubs a 7-3 lead.

Midway through the second quarter, Alemany’s Alex Torres fumbled a punt, Loyola recovering at the 26. Two plays later, fullback John Winnek scored on a 26-yard run to give Loyola a 14-3 lead and the Cubs boosted their lead to 21-3 later in the quarter.

Alemany quarterback Sean Casey threw touchdown passes of 15 and 10 yards, in the second and third quarters, to cut the deficit to 21-17, setting the stage for Aragon’s game-winning interception return.