His dog didn’t eat his homework, but...
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Loyola Coach Jeff Kearin called with apologies, er, excuses for not calling me back to talk about his team or to provide results over the weekend while the Cubs were in Concord to play perennial football powerhouse De La Salle, ranked No. 5 nationally in USA Today’s Super 25.
‘I had your number with me, really,’ he said, ‘but the trainer lost my equipment bag.’
Then Kearin stopped himself, saying, ‘I sound just like one of the kids, making excuses, don’t I?’
We both laughed, and I assured him I was just happy to hear from him, that he and the Cubs were alive and well, you know, considering the 55-14 beating they endured Saturday at De La Salle, also the No. 34 team in the Rivals.com Fab 50 national rankings.
The Spartans (2-0), who once compiled a 151-game winning streak, controlled the ball when they had it, and went after it with a vengeance when they didn’t, according to Kearin.
‘It’s an impressive deal,’ Kearin said. ‘We got humbled, we got beaten badly all over the field.’
The result was a commanding 44-0 halftime advantage for the Spartans.
‘You know,’ Kearin said, ‘I’d equate it to that first scene in ‘Saving Private Ryan.’ We were hit that fast.’
Uh, OK, I get the picture, coach. You lost.
‘We lost about four games,’ he said. ‘And I’d do it a hundred times over. I’m all about scheduling, and they’re definitely worth playing.’
And for anyone who hasn’t been to a game involving De La Salle, he Kearin suggests having a look-see when the Spartans come to Southern California on Oct. 6 to play Mission Viejo (2-0), ranked fifth in the Southland by The Times.
The Spartans and Diablos are currently ranked Nos. 2 and 16, respectively, in the state by MaxPreps.com.
‘It sounds strange to say, but we’ve gotten a lot out of playing that team,’ Kearin said of Loyola’s first-ever meeting with De La Salle. ‘They’re worth watching, worth seeing.’
- Lauren Peterson