Damien coach Greg Gano and Diamond Ranch coach Roddy Layton each have faced Bishop Amat and are not surprised by the Lancers’ 8-0 start, their best since going 9-0 in 1998. “They’re coached-up as well as anyone,” Layton said. “When you think of having Daylon McCutcheon and Rodney Sermons on your coaching staff, those are San Gabriel Valley legends. What impresses me the most is that they’re not doing it with a bunch of superstars, they’re doing it with discipline. I always have said when Bishop Amat is winning, it’s great for football in the Valley. When they win it makes us all look good.” To continue reading, click thread

Below: Relive Bishop Amat’s 27-24 overtime victory over Loyola on Friday. Hagerty speaks at the end.

The Lancers are allowing just 15 points a game, a big improvement from a 22-point average a year ago.

“They fly to the football better than anyone we have gone against,” Gano said. “They’re so well-coached. (Steve) Hagerty was a great hire. It’s not easy doing what he’s done, and I hope he keeps it up. It would be great to see them make a run at a (Pac-5 division) title.”

Sophomore Rio Ruiz, the quarterback of the future for the Lancers, has a big fan in Layton. Ruiz played a big part in Friday’s 27-24 overtime victory over Loyola.

Ruiz took a handoff and threw an 18-yard touchdown pass back to quarterback Jerry McClanahan to tie the score 14-14 with just seconds left in the first half, then caught the game-wining 14-yard touchdown pass from McClanahan in overtime.

“That kid’s going to be a superstar,” Layton said. “You better pay whatever it costs to see him now, because you’re going to pay big bucks to watch him years from now.”