CdM’s Loyd chooses the Hoyas

CdM’s Matt Loyd to G-townDream Team honoree joins long line of Sea Kings football players who have continued their careers at Georgetown.Corona del Mar High senior Matt Loyd, who starred at tailback and cornerback for the Sea Kings’ football team, has verbally committed to play football at Georgetown University, his father Edward said Friday.

Loyd, a 5-foot-10, 175-pounder, received a partial scholarship to the NCAA Division I-AA program, where he will compete for first-year coach Kevin Kelly, beginning next fall. Loyd can sign a national letter of intent beginning Wednesday.

Loyd rushed for 1,336 yards and 13 touchdowns on 174 carries for CdM, on his way to Newport-Mesa Dream Team and first-team All-Pacific Coast League recognition. He also had five interceptions to help the Sea Kings finish 6-6 and earn the program’s first CIF Southern Section playoff victory since 1995.

Loyd, used only on defense as a junior, burst onto the scene in 2005 with 482 rushing yards in the first three games. Slowed by a sore knee, he had only 204 rushing yards the next five games. After returning to health, he rushed for 592 yards and seven touchdowns in a three-game stretch that culminated in the aforementioned playoff victory, a 28-7 triumph over Garden Grove in Division IX.

Loyd said Hoyas coaches want to convert him to receiver, and they have expressed their desire for him to return punts and kickoffs.

Georgetown, which competes in the Patriot League, went 4-7 last season, after which Bob Benson resigned as coach, ending a 13-year tenure.

Loyd, who also competes in basketball and track and field at CdM, said he was surprised to have the opportunity to extend his football career.

“I didn’t really want to play football [as a senior],” Loyd said. “But my dad insisted I play and it has just been a blessing that he did. I’m very thankful for what he did.”

Loyd visited the Washington, D.C. campus last weekend, and was at the school’s men’s basketball upset of then-No. 1-ranked Duke Saturday at the MCI Center.

Loyd also joins a growing list of Corona del Mar High players who went on to Georgetown. Former Sea Kings Matt Cooper and Kris Cooper will be seniors for the Hoyas next season.

Adam Cooper and Ryan Cooper, older brothers of the Cooper twins, played for the Hoyas, as did former Sea Kings George Sumner and Josh Walz. 20060129imy1l7ncDAILY PILOT FILE PHOTO(LA)CdM’s Matt Loyd rushed for 1,336 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.