THE BIG GAME : Loara vs. Esperanza

The records--Loara 3-0, Esperanza 3-0.

The site--Bradford Stadium (Valencia H.S.).

Loara update--The Saxons are off to one of the best starts in school history. Lineman Danny Rovira and linebacker Brian Roberts are two reasons that Loara is one of only two teams in the CIF Southern Section that have not allowed a point in three games. The fine play of the defense has taken pressure off the offense, particularly an inexperienced line. After a 3-0 victory over Western, Loara’s offense, led by running backs Andy Janney and Brian Malavar, scored 24 points against Anaheim and 28 against Canyon.

Esperanza update--The Aztecs were ranked No. 5 in the Orange County Sportswriters’ Assn. poll this week after last week’s 28-12 victory over Riverside Poly. Esperanza’s offense is led by the county’s fourth-rated quarterback, Mike Moneymaker, who has completed 29 of 50 passes for 502 yards and 5 touchdowns while throwing just 1 interception. Tailback Mike Miscione has accumulated impressive statistics against respectable opponents. He is the second-leading rusher in the county with 476 yards and 5 touchdowns in 77 carries (an average of 6.2 yards). The defense is nothing to take for granted, either, according to Loara Coach Herb Hill, who watched Esperanza beat Riverside Poly. “People look at that offense and they get carried away and don’t take into account that their defensive team has also played very well,” Hill said. Consensus--Esperanza’s superior size, along with the outstanding abilities of Moneymaker and Miscione, will overcome Loara’s strong defense. Loara has had three shutout victories, but the Aztec defense has the potential to make the Saxons a shutout victim tonight.