Cub Football 2020 set to embark on an abbreviated schedule
LOYOLA TO RETURN TO GRIDIRON
The California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section was formed in 1913, and only once before was the high school football season completed in the spring. The 2018 football season was halted in the fall, and did not culminate until March of 2019 because of the Spanish Influenza pandemic. Fullerton defeated Coronado for the championship. Coronado of San Diego was in the Southern Section as the San Diego Section had not yet been formed.
For the first time in Southern Section history, no high school games were played last fall because of the COVD-19 pandemic. The new case rate of the virus fell below 14 per 100,000 in Los Angeles County this week, which caused health authorities to give the green light to a very late start to the CIF football season.
Practice at many schools, including Loyola, has already commenced. The Cubs will begin work in pads next week. The schedule will be limited to five games and a scrimmage. The campaign will conclude on April 17 without any playoff competition.
This marks the first time since 1945 that the Southern Section will not host playoffs in its 108-year history. World War II was the reason the playoffs were cancelled in 1945.
THE SCHEDULE
The truncated schedule (sites and game times to be determined) is anticipated to be as follows:
March 12 Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) (scrimmage)
March 19 Upland
March 26 St. Bernard
April 2 or 3 St. Francis*
April 9 or 10 Crespi*
April 16 or 17 St. Paul*
* denotes Angelus League game
it is not known whether players’ parents will be allowed to attend games.
TOP RETURNING PLAYERS:
*CEYAIR WRIGHT, Sr., 6-1, 175, WR/ Corner/ KR/ Athlete
All-CIF as a junior, ranked as a top 100 national athlete, lock down corner, elite speed (10.8 100 m), had 34 FBS scholarship offers, including from Notre Dame, USC, Stanford, Michigan, Oklahoma; selected to participate in All-American Bowl, Preseason All-State first team, 3.7 GPA, accomplished actor, Preseason All-American, returned a kickoff last season 95 yards for a TD, in February Ceyair signed a letter of intent to play for the Trojans of USC
*ZAKHARI SPEARS, Sr., 6-3, 193, Corner/ WR
Earned All-CIF honors as a junior, outstanding defensive back who can play multiple positions, was highly recruited with many FBS scholarship offers before committing to Washington, will team up with Wright to form one of the best secondary duos in the state
*BRAYDEN ZERMENO, Sr., 6-4, 224, QB
An Arizona commit who received many FBS scholarship offers, has a strong arm and quick release, passed for 1,633 yards and rushed for 323 yards (7.3 yds. per carry) for CIF runner-up, will be a big contributor to Cubs’ success this season
*JOSH LONG, Sr., 6-5, 236, DL/ TE
All-CIF as a junior, has potential to end his career as one of the best defensive linemen in Loyola history, a true under-the-radar gem, fast, athletic, great pass rusher; has multiple FBS scholarship offers, the pandemic kept him from gaining more notice in the spring and summer
*TAHJ OWENS, Jr., 5-11, 190, RB/ Corner
The first field player (running back) in Loyola history to earn All-CIF honors as a sophomore, a hard-nosed, fast, very talented running back (6.2 yards per carry); also has elite cover skills as a DB, will be a key component of an offense that should be explosive, has received multiple FBS offers, maintains a 3.8 GPA, great kick returner
*JACOBY KELLY, Jr., 6-2.5, 193, WR/DB
Was the Co-MVP on Cubs’ 9-1 Freshman team in 2018, began receiving scholarship offers in his freshman year, dominated as a freshman at WR and safety, started at wide receiver on the 2019 team that played for the CIF Div. 4 championship, led the team in receptions, could easily help at safety, has a 3.9 GPA, has received nine FBS scholarship offers, a game breaker with real toughness, has begun drawing interest from the likes of elite programs such as Notre Dame
*SAM YOON, Jr., 6-6, 281, OL
Started at left tackle last fall as a sophomore, very focused, disciplined athlete; carries a 4.5 GPA, has made significant strength gains over the spring and summer (525 lb. dead lift, 315 lb. bench press), played basketball where he showcased his athleticism, once again a player who is under the radar because of lack of exposure in the spring and summer, will end up being a highly recruited lineman, has to be regarded as one of the best returning linemen in the Southern Section
*PETER VANIS, Jr., 5-11, 181, WR/DB
Another in a long line of Vanis family members who have starred on the gridiron at Loyola, second leading receiver on the CIF runner-up varsity in 2019, but for a broken hand sidelining him late last fall he would have been a big contributor in the playoffs, phenomenal hands and great route runner, tough as nails, will receive recruiting attention, was co-MVP on freshman team in 2018
*HARRISON ALLEN, Jr., 5-10, 171, RB
Started at running back for the Cubs’ CIF runner-up team last season as a sophomore, amassed over 1,100 yards rushing and receiving, has superior quickness and speed, averaged 5 yards per carry against excellent opponents, he and Owens are among the top running mates in California, another player who was hurt by lack of exposure during the spring and summer, will be a Saturday player
* JEFFREY JOHNSON, Sr., 6-5, 230, DL
A really quick and athletic lineman who is an excellent pass rusher, he and Josh Long are a top flight DL duo, capable of making big plays every down, possesses rare speed for a down lineman
PATRICK SODL, Jr., 5-11, 202, Inside LB
Was on the varsity roster as a sophomore and the leading tackler on the JV squad, strong, quick and tough in the mold of the great linebackers who have played for the Cubs; has added quality armor to his frame and is a weight room warrior, should be an impact player
* Denotes returning starter
OTHER PLAYERS EXPECTED TO VIE FOR STARTING POSITIONS
CIARAN O’LIONAIN, Sr., 6-0, 252, Center
Strong man in the pivot position
SHAWN LIN, Jr., 6-4, 253, DL (Transfer)
A strong, quick, athletic addition to the defensive line, could make the down line trio one of the area’s best
ANDRES PEREZ, Sr., 6-3, 232, OG
Tough, very athletic offensive guard
JACK SUSJNAR, Soph., 6-5, 282, OL/DL
A big, athletic sophomore who is slated to start at offensive tackle to make a top notch book end to Yoon, also played basketball, an A student
JUSTIN MURRAY, Jr., 6-0, 211, FB/OLB
Had big offseason in weight room, tough football player
FINNEGAN POWELL, Sr., 6-3, 218, TE/OLB
Impressed as a junior at OLB
ZACH BOWLES, Soph., 5-11, 190, Inside LB
Up from the freshman team, he is a big hitter
JACKSON SHEA, Jr., 6-0, 176, S/ K
A gifted athlete with excellent range at the safety position, an outstanding kicker
The California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section was formed in 1913, and only once before was the high school football season completed in the spring. The 2018 football season was halted in the fall, and did not culminate until March of 2019 because of the Spanish Influenza pandemic. Fullerton defeated Coronado for the championship. Coronado of San Diego was in the Southern Section as the San Diego Section had not yet been formed.
For the first time in Southern Section history, no high school games were played last fall because of the COVD-19 pandemic. The new case rate of the virus fell below 14 per 100,000 in Los Angeles County this week, which caused health authorities to give the green light to a very late start to the CIF football season.
Practice at many schools, including Loyola, has already commenced. The Cubs will begin work in pads next week. The schedule will be limited to five games and a scrimmage. The campaign will conclude on April 17 without any playoff competition.
This marks the first time since 1945 that the Southern Section will not host playoffs in its 108-year history. World War II was the reason the playoffs were cancelled in 1945.
THE SCHEDULE
The truncated schedule (sites and game times to be determined) is anticipated to be as follows:
March 12 Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) (scrimmage)
March 19 Upland
March 26 St. Bernard
April 2 or 3 St. Francis*
April 9 or 10 Crespi*
April 16 or 17 St. Paul*
* denotes Angelus League game
it is not known whether players’ parents will be allowed to attend games.
TOP RETURNING PLAYERS:
*CEYAIR WRIGHT, Sr., 6-1, 175, WR/ Corner/ KR/ Athlete
All-CIF as a junior, ranked as a top 100 national athlete, lock down corner, elite speed (10.8 100 m), had 34 FBS scholarship offers, including from Notre Dame, USC, Stanford, Michigan, Oklahoma; selected to participate in All-American Bowl, Preseason All-State first team, 3.7 GPA, accomplished actor, Preseason All-American, returned a kickoff last season 95 yards for a TD, in February Ceyair signed a letter of intent to play for the Trojans of USC
*ZAKHARI SPEARS, Sr., 6-3, 193, Corner/ WR
Earned All-CIF honors as a junior, outstanding defensive back who can play multiple positions, was highly recruited with many FBS scholarship offers before committing to Washington, will team up with Wright to form one of the best secondary duos in the state
*BRAYDEN ZERMENO, Sr., 6-4, 224, QB
An Arizona commit who received many FBS scholarship offers, has a strong arm and quick release, passed for 1,633 yards and rushed for 323 yards (7.3 yds. per carry) for CIF runner-up, will be a big contributor to Cubs’ success this season
*JOSH LONG, Sr., 6-5, 236, DL/ TE
All-CIF as a junior, has potential to end his career as one of the best defensive linemen in Loyola history, a true under-the-radar gem, fast, athletic, great pass rusher; has multiple FBS scholarship offers, the pandemic kept him from gaining more notice in the spring and summer
*TAHJ OWENS, Jr., 5-11, 190, RB/ Corner
The first field player (running back) in Loyola history to earn All-CIF honors as a sophomore, a hard-nosed, fast, very talented running back (6.2 yards per carry); also has elite cover skills as a DB, will be a key component of an offense that should be explosive, has received multiple FBS offers, maintains a 3.8 GPA, great kick returner
*JACOBY KELLY, Jr., 6-2.5, 193, WR/DB
Was the Co-MVP on Cubs’ 9-1 Freshman team in 2018, began receiving scholarship offers in his freshman year, dominated as a freshman at WR and safety, started at wide receiver on the 2019 team that played for the CIF Div. 4 championship, led the team in receptions, could easily help at safety, has a 3.9 GPA, has received nine FBS scholarship offers, a game breaker with real toughness, has begun drawing interest from the likes of elite programs such as Notre Dame
*SAM YOON, Jr., 6-6, 281, OL
Started at left tackle last fall as a sophomore, very focused, disciplined athlete; carries a 4.5 GPA, has made significant strength gains over the spring and summer (525 lb. dead lift, 315 lb. bench press), played basketball where he showcased his athleticism, once again a player who is under the radar because of lack of exposure in the spring and summer, will end up being a highly recruited lineman, has to be regarded as one of the best returning linemen in the Southern Section
*PETER VANIS, Jr., 5-11, 181, WR/DB
Another in a long line of Vanis family members who have starred on the gridiron at Loyola, second leading receiver on the CIF runner-up varsity in 2019, but for a broken hand sidelining him late last fall he would have been a big contributor in the playoffs, phenomenal hands and great route runner, tough as nails, will receive recruiting attention, was co-MVP on freshman team in 2018
*HARRISON ALLEN, Jr., 5-10, 171, RB
Started at running back for the Cubs’ CIF runner-up team last season as a sophomore, amassed over 1,100 yards rushing and receiving, has superior quickness and speed, averaged 5 yards per carry against excellent opponents, he and Owens are among the top running mates in California, another player who was hurt by lack of exposure during the spring and summer, will be a Saturday player
* JEFFREY JOHNSON, Sr., 6-5, 230, DL
A really quick and athletic lineman who is an excellent pass rusher, he and Josh Long are a top flight DL duo, capable of making big plays every down, possesses rare speed for a down lineman
PATRICK SODL, Jr., 5-11, 202, Inside LB
Was on the varsity roster as a sophomore and the leading tackler on the JV squad, strong, quick and tough in the mold of the great linebackers who have played for the Cubs; has added quality armor to his frame and is a weight room warrior, should be an impact player
* Denotes returning starter
OTHER PLAYERS EXPECTED TO VIE FOR STARTING POSITIONS
CIARAN O’LIONAIN, Sr., 6-0, 252, Center
Strong man in the pivot position
SHAWN LIN, Jr., 6-4, 253, DL (Transfer)
A strong, quick, athletic addition to the defensive line, could make the down line trio one of the area’s best
ANDRES PEREZ, Sr., 6-3, 232, OG
Tough, very athletic offensive guard
JACK SUSJNAR, Soph., 6-5, 282, OL/DL
A big, athletic sophomore who is slated to start at offensive tackle to make a top notch book end to Yoon, also played basketball, an A student
JUSTIN MURRAY, Jr., 6-0, 211, FB/OLB
Had big offseason in weight room, tough football player
FINNEGAN POWELL, Sr., 6-3, 218, TE/OLB
Impressed as a junior at OLB
ZACH BOWLES, Soph., 5-11, 190, Inside LB
Up from the freshman team, he is a big hitter
JACKSON SHEA, Jr., 6-0, 176, S/ K
A gifted athlete with excellent range at the safety position, an outstanding kicker
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