WARE TEARS INTO HART LOYOLA 24, HART 16.

Byline: Keven Chavez Staff Writer

GLENDALE - It may have started 33 minutes late on Saturday night, but The Matt Ware Show turned out to be a blockbuster hit as advertised.

Ware, Loyola High's returning California player of the year, made the big plays on offense and defense as the Cubs turned a 13-point second half deficit into a 24-16 nonleague victory over visiting Hart at Glendale High.

The Indians led, 16-3, at halftime and carried that lead deep into the third quarter.

Hart's defense was in complete control, limiting Loyola's running backs to just 42 yards rushing and allowing no pass longer than seven yards.

But on third-and-7, following a sack by Kyle Hollis, Ware hit receiver Greg Kavulich over the middle for 33 yards. Two plays later, Ware slipped through two would-be tacklers and darted 43 yards to put cut Hart's lead to 16-10 with 3:02 left in the third quarter.

The touchdown run simply opened the flood gates for the UCLA-bound senior.

After forcing a Hart punt, Ware drove the Cubs 80 yards on 13 plays for the go-ahead 1-yard touchdown by Rafael Rice. Twice on the scoring drive, Ware scrambled for first downs on third-and-long.

The Indians took over with 5:20 left in the game, trailing 17-16. Quarterback Kyle Matter drove the Indians to midfield but on fourth-and-4, Matter's pass tipped off a receiver's hands and was intercepted by Ware -- who was playing safety for the first time this season.

Ware returned the pick 45 yards to the Hart 10 and two plays later Rice scored from one yard out to give Loyola a comfortable 24-16 lead.

Quinton Daniels intercepted a pass from Matter in the final minute to seal the victory for Loyola.

Ware finished with 121 yard rushing on 13 carries.

Trailing 3-0 in the second quarter, the Indians took advantage of Loyola's mistakes and exploded for 13 quick points in 66 seconds.

Matter, who was 20 for 35 for 200 yards, found Keith Howell in the back of the end zone for an 8-yard score to cap a 16-play drive late in the second quarter for a 6-3 lead.

On Loyola's next possession, Hart linebacker Josh Christensen made a diving interception in Cubs territory. On the next play, Mickey Mercado slipped out of the backfield and Matter found him wide open down the left sideline for a 24-yard touchdown reception and 13-3 lead.

Josh Cummings made a 37-yard field goal on the half's final play to give Hart a 16-3 halftime lead.

Matter was pressured all game long by Loyola's blitzing defense. The Stanford-bound quarterback was sacked six times and pressured on countless other occasions.

Hart was limited to just 47 yards rushing.

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Photo: Hart's Kyle Matter is brought down by Loyola's Josh Quaye during the Cubs' 24-16 victory Saturday night.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer