And it wasn't.
The fourth-ranked Rams held a 49-0 lead by halftime, and cruised to a 56-0 victory from there with most of their starters resting the final two quarters.
Darby, which fell to 0-3, 0-6, has next week off before closing at Eureka.
Despite the mismatch, both teams were able to get something out of the game, played at a decidedly chilly Rollin Field.
Loyola tuned up for what should be a stiff challenge from league rival Florence, which toppled District 7-B St. Ignatius 44-28 Friday night to improve to 2-0, 4-1.
And a young Darby team showed a lot of heart, battling to the final gun. The Tigers ended the game with their best drive of the game, deep in Loyola territory.
But the Rams clearly dominated from the outset. They scored on six of their seven possessions in the first half, and senior Joe Mitzel returned an interception for a touchdown just before halftime.
Indeed, Loyola needed just three plays to take the lead on an 18-yard run by junior Kevin Berland.
A missed field goal ended the Rams' second possession, but after forcing a Darby punt, Mitzel blasted 42 yards up the middle for another TD.
From there it was smooth sailing.
Senior quarterback Billy Chilton capped a seven-play drive, diving over from 3 yards out to make it 21-0.
Chilton then hit junior wide receiver Peter Shaughnessey with a pretty 28-yard lob in the back of the end zone.
And on Darby's next possession, the Tigers fumbled the punt attempt at their own 1. On the ensuing play, Chilton rolled to his left and connected with Michael Breza to make it 35-0.
After an 11-yard Berland touchdown run, Mitzel capped the first-half scoring by stepping in front of a tipped Tyler Bergren pass and dashing 35 yards.
“We played very well, very well,” Loyola coach Dan Weber said. “We executed the things that we needed to.”
Weber said his team was also able to work out some kinks heading into the game against Florence, and whatever playoff matchups await.
“We worked on some option things that needed attention,” he said. “Overall, things went well. That's a big game next week, but the kids did a good job tonight.”
Loyola pounded out 271 yards on the ground and 316 yards of total offense.
Mitzel led the way with 75 yards on eight carries, followed by Chilton with 71 yards on seven attempts.
Loyola's defense posted its second straight shutout after blanking Deer Lodge the week before.
The Rams held Darby to 82 yards of total offense and forced three turnovers.
Junior linebacker Brian Haggerty led the way with 13 tackles, while senior Caleb DeGroot tallied eight.
Sophomore running back Tanner Evers shouldered the bulk of the load for Darby with 60 yards on 20 carries.
Evers also tied for the team lead in tackles with six, along with senior linebacker Kyle Rider.
Darby 0 0 0 0 - 0
Loyola 21 28 0 7 - 56
First quarter
L - Kevin Berland 18 run (Brandan Haggarty pass to Caleb DeGroot), 11:28
L - Joe Mitzel 42 run (Tyler Englert kick), 5:18
L - Billy Chilton 3 run (kick failed): 58
Second quarter
L - Chilton 28 pass to Peter Shaughnessey, 10:37
L - Chilton 1 pass to Michael Breza (Englert kick), 8:53
L - Berland 11 run (Englert kick), 2:42
L - J. Mitzel 35 interception return (Englert kick), 2:18
Fourth quarter
L -Michael Kuntz 2 run (Englert kick), 8:19
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing - Darby (34-58): Tanner Evers 20-60, Matt Smith 5-14, Kyle Rider 1-3, Tyler Bergren 8-(-19). Loyola (31-271): J. Mitzel 8-75, Chilton 7-71, Berland 6-57, Kuntz 6-32, Thomas Mitzel 2-31, Alex Ward 2-5.
Passing - Darby: Bergren 3-13-1-24. Loyola: Chilton 4-9-0-45. T. Mitzel 0-1-0-0.
Receiving - Darby: Dalton Roundy 2-16, Justin Richardson 1-8. Loyola: Shaughnessey 2-37, Breza 1-1.
Reporter John Smithers can be reached at 523-5257 or at jsmithers@missoulian.com.
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