Loyola coach Brian Abbott has a simple reason why he put together a tough nonconference schedule to prepare the Dons to play in one of the state’s toughest leagues.
“With everyone in the [Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference], you have to be ready every single week,” Abbott said. “The way the league is set up with no playoffs, you have to be ready.”
The Dons opened the season with a dominating, 39-6 win over perennial B conference power Spalding of Anne Arundel County last weekend. But their next game will be much tougher: a trip to Washington, D.C. to play Gonzaga of the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. On Sept. 13, the Dons face Edmondson at Poly Complex.
Loyola went 9-1 last season, but finished 4-1 in the A conference, tying Mount St. Joseph (6-5, 4-1) atop the league. Two years ago, the Dons tied with Gilman and McDonogh for the title.
But the Dons are the clear favorite in the league this autumn, as they return eight starters on offense and seven on defense.
The offense is led by senior quarterback and three-year starter Leon Kinnard. The 5-foot-9, 182-pounder passed for 1,491 yards with 13 touchdowns and rushed for 468 yards with 10 scores last season.
Hereford at Douglass
Senior running back Nick DePaula and the Hereford Bulls aren’t wasting any time preparing to defend their Class 3A North Region title.
The Bulls, who finished 13-1 last year after losing the championship game to Damascus, 40-20, at M&T Bank Stadium. But it all begins tonight in Parkton at 7 against traditional Prince George’s County power Douglass.
DePaula should be capable of carrying the load after rushing for six touchdowns last season, as he replaces graduated running back Lonnie Liggins (29 touchdowns). Hereford has made the playoffs 10 times in the past 11 years.
“We fell a little short,” Hereford coach Steve Turnbaugh said after last year’s final. “They’ve overachieved all year. They never backed down from a challenge.”
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