FOOTBALL: H.-W., LOYOLA SHOW STRENGTH.

Byline: ERIK BOAL Special to the Daily News

Although they're best known for competing in the Mission League, Harvard-Westlake of Studio City and Loyola of Los Angeles took big steps in preparation for their football league schedules with impressive wins this past week.

Harvard-Westlake, which competes in the Del Rey League, recorded its biggest victory since 2003 with its 31-30 triumph Friday over City Section power Carson.

The Wolverines (2-2), who had lost to Pasadena and Burroughs of Burbank by a combined five points, rallied from a 30-19 deficit with 10 minutes remaining. The Colts entered the game having defeated Venice and lost in overtime to defending Southern Section Div. III champion Dominguez of Compton.

Elias De Wit sealed the victory for Harvard-Westlake (3-1) with an interception in the final seconds.

Loyola, the defending Div. I champion, rallied from a 10-point, fourth- quarter deficit to snap Dominguez's winning streak at 15 with a 14-10 victory. Dominguez was ranked No. 1 in the CIF Western Division at the time.

The Cubs (2-2), who compete in the Serra League, had lost consecutive games before relying on two Conor Hearn touchdown passes to gain momentum entering Friday's game against Hart of Newhall (2-3).

With his three touchdown passes Thursday in Oaks Christian of Westlake Village's 47-17 victory over Venice, Jimmy Clausen moved into second place on the state's career list for passing touchdowns with 110. Clausen trails only Cathedral of Los Angeles' Robert De La Cruz (1997-99), who had 132 in his career.

Marc Tyler scored four times to improve his career total to 105 touchdowns, moving him into ninth on the state's all-time list.

Lost in the shuffle of Jeshua Anderson's record-setting receiving night -- 304 yards and six touchdowns -- in Taft of Woodland Hills' 62-30 victory Friday over Gardena, was Exavier Johnson's school-record seven touchdown passes, tying an area record.

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