CUB FOOTBALL
A LOOK BACK AT SOME GREAT PLAYS - COULD THERE BE MORE THIS SEASON?
As a season like none other in Cub Football annals gets ready to kick off this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in a scrimmage against longtime rival Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (viewing will be available by live stream; check the Loyola Athletics Twitter site for a link) at Smith Field, here is a quick look back at some of the great plays in big games which propelled Loyola to victory.
1975
The stage was the CIF AAAA semifinal contest against the Anaheim Colonists on a cold, windy night at El Camino College in Torrance. Undefeated Loyola was down, 17-14, and backed up inside its own ten-yard line with a little over a minute to play. Things were looking bleak for the Big Blue, to say the least. Head coach Marty Shaugnessy pulled out a trick play the Cubs had practiced all season, but had not used. All-CIF quarterback Kevin Muno threw what appeared to be an incomplete pass to All-CIF receiver Kazell Pugh. The throw bounced off the turf before being caught by Pugh. The entire Loyola squad feigned dejection, and the Anaheim defense relaxed thinking the play was dead. It wasn’t, though, as Pugh was in the backfield and the “pass” was a rearward throw which was actually a lateral. Pugh, the strong-armed back up QB, then unleashed a 50-yard bomb to tight end Henry Workman, who was working his way down the middle of the field and caught Pugh’s aerial in stride for the dramatic winning TD. The play was probably the biggest in Loyola annals as it allowed the Cubs to advance to the CIF AAAA title contest, in which the Big Blue defeated St. Paul to secure the program’s third CIF Large Schools championship. Shortly thereafter, Loyola was crowned National High School champion by the National Sports News Service.
1977
Fountain Valley, the number one-ranked team in the state, travelled to Santa Monica College for a quarterfinal clash with the Del Rey League champion Cubs. The two titans of Southern Section football duked it out for four quarters, with the contest tied at the sound of the final gun. At the conclusion of the second overtime period, after the Barons scored a TD to make the score, 28-27, Fountain Valley chose to go for two and the win before an overflow standing-room-only crowd that was on pins and needles. A ferocious effort by the Cub ‘Wolfpack’ defense, led by Al Antee, Joe Murray, Ben Baca and Dave Takata up front and linebackers Marlon Thompson, Dan Brenton, Mike Hernandez and Adrian Hernandez, stopped the Barons’ All-CIF running back Willie Gittens short of the goal line, securing a 28-27 victory in in what ranks among the all-time Cub classics.
1986
The 1986 Cubs were among the grittiest, toughest groups in the program’s storied history. Team MVP, George Paton (now the GM of the Denver Broncos), started at both QB and safety. In a non-league game at powerhouse Antelope Valley on a cold October Friday night in Lancaster, Loyola scored with under a minute to play. Head coach Steve Grady elected to go for a two point conversion. Ironman Paton found tight end Chris Rising, who had crossed behind the offensive line after the snap, all alone for the game-winning two point toss. The Cubs’ long ride home from the high desert was quite celebratory after the 8-7 triumph.
1990
In the 1990 CIF Division I quarterfinal round played before a packed house at Glendale’s Moyse Field, Loyola had the unenviable task of slowing down nationally ranked Fontana’s dominating rushing attack. Late in the fourth quarter the Steelers were driving on the Cubs with the help of their massive offensive line and powerful running backs. Fontana, which essentially eschewed passing, was faced with a fourth-and-nine do-or -die situation in Loyola territory. Sure enough the Steelers ran a power play to the left side. CIF Div. I Defensive Player-of-the-Year Drew Casani (now the Big Blue’s varsity head coach) and All-CIF defensive end Kevin Bender stopped the bruising Steeler ball carrier three inches short of the first down, and the Del Rey League champion Cubs escaped with an epic 10-7 victory for the ages. Loyola went on to win its fourth of six CIF Large School titles two weeks later.
1995
Before yet another standing-room-only crowd at Glendale’s Moyse Field in the CIF Division I semifinals, Loyola was down by two touchdowns to nationally ranked Los Alamitos, one of the most prolific passing teams of the ‘90s. Head coach Steve Grady pulled out one of his patented trick plays, the “Fumblerooskie” early in the second half. The ‘Rooskie netted a key first down which allowed All-CIF tailback Mike Vanis to score shortly thereafter. Ultimately, the Cubs scored late in the fourth quarter to pull ahead, 37-34. The Griffins were driving when safety Scott Walter broke up a fourth down pass to seal the Big Blue triumph, and secure a trip to the Coliseum the following week.
1996
Before a packed house at then-national powerhouse Fontana Loyola engaged the Steelers in an old fashioned slugfest in the CIF Division I semifinals. The brutally physical contest ended in a stalemate after four quarters. An interception by Cub All-CIF DB Wesley Willard in the end zone in overtime allowed All-CIF kicker Mike MacGillivray’s field goal to be the margin of victory in the 16-13 win. The Loyola bus needed a police escort to the San Bernardino Freeway.
1997
The only program to have Loyola’s number over the decades is Bishop Amat. Suffice to say, the Cub versus Lancer clashes were always physical affairs. The two powerhouse program’s battle for the Del Rey League trophy in week seven was played before a capacity crowd at Bishop Amat’s home field in La Puente. Late in the fourth quarter the Lancers, down 3-0, faced a fourth-and-one play deep in Loyola territory. All-CIF Division I defensive tackle Mike Long shot through the A-gap and stopped the Lancer running back for no gain. Jubilation ensued on the visitors’ sideline as the Cubs shut out their arch rival. The 1997 ‘Wolfpack’ defense was among the best in program history. The stop squad did not relinquish a point in league play and allowed only 90 points in 13 games (average of less than seven points per contest).
2000
in another CIF Division I semifinal classic between two national top ten powers before an overflow crowd at Moyse Field in Glendale, Loyola and Rialto Eisenhower battled for a ticket to the title game for four grueling quarters. Regulation ended in a tie, and once again the Cub defense shined in overtime. All-CIF Div. I kicker Nathan Oakes’ field goal clinched Loyola’s trip to Anaheim Stadium for the championship tilt against L. B. Poly, to whom the Cubs succumbed, 16-13, in a taut overtime heartbreaker. Loyola finished the campaign ranked 15th in the nation. Loyola MVP Matt Ware (QB/S) was named CIF Div. I Player-the-Year.
2003
Under the bright lights at Home Depor Center in Carson, Loyola and Los Alamitos met in the CIF Division I semifinals in front of a huge crowd. The heavy weight fight was tied at the end of four quarters. In the second overtime, the Griffins had a first and goal at the Cub one-yard line. In one of the epic defensive stands in Cub Football history, the ‘Wolfpack’ was unyielding. On fourth-down-and goal at the one yard line Loyola stopped Los Al cold. Among the Cub stalwarts who led the charge was All-CIF linebacker Ian Wilson, who is among the great defenders in Loyola grid annals.
2005
In the highest scoring CIF title contest in Cub Football history, Loyola was tied with Esperanza, 42-42, in the waning moments of the contest after the Cubs had just scored behind a game-for-the-ages performance by Loyola CIF Player-of-the-Year, quarterback Henry Burge. The ensuing Cub Kickoff was fumbled by the Aztecs and Loyola recovered. On the first offensive play following the fumble recovery, Burge found All-CIF receiver Marcus Lawrence streaking down the middle of the field for the game-winning TD. The huge Loyola fan contingent erupted as the Cubs captured their sixth CIF Large Schools title by a score of 49-42.
2009
In the last league game of the season under interim head coach Adam Guerra ‘03, the Cubs were behind the Crespi Celts, 29-7, at East Los Angeles College. Things were looking bleak at that point, but suddenly Loyola caught fire behind a great performance by junior quarterback Jerry Neuheisel, who finished the contest with over 300 yards passing. In the waning seconds of the fourth quarter, down by four points, 38-34, and facing fourth-and-11 at the Crespi 47-yard line, Guerra drew up a play in the dirt. The Cubs came out with four eligible pass catchers to one side and a fifth to the other. B. J. Fennessy was lined up in one of the slots. Running a star route up the middle, Neuheisel connected with Fennessy, who raced into the end zone untouched to give Loyola one of its best comeback victories of all time.
A talented group of Cubs are hoping to make great plays during this delayed “2020” campaign.
if you have memories of other great plays in big games, feel free to share them.
As a season like none other in Cub Football annals gets ready to kick off this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in a scrimmage against longtime rival Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (viewing will be available by live stream; check the Loyola Athletics Twitter site for a link) at Smith Field, here is a quick look back at some of the great plays in big games which propelled Loyola to victory.
1975
The stage was the CIF AAAA semifinal contest against the Anaheim Colonists on a cold, windy night at El Camino College in Torrance. Undefeated Loyola was down, 17-14, and backed up inside its own ten-yard line with a little over a minute to play. Things were looking bleak for the Big Blue, to say the least. Head coach Marty Shaugnessy pulled out a trick play the Cubs had practiced all season, but had not used. All-CIF quarterback Kevin Muno threw what appeared to be an incomplete pass to All-CIF receiver Kazell Pugh. The throw bounced off the turf before being caught by Pugh. The entire Loyola squad feigned dejection, and the Anaheim defense relaxed thinking the play was dead. It wasn’t, though, as Pugh was in the backfield and the “pass” was a rearward throw which was actually a lateral. Pugh, the strong-armed back up QB, then unleashed a 50-yard bomb to tight end Henry Workman, who was working his way down the middle of the field and caught Pugh’s aerial in stride for the dramatic winning TD. The play was probably the biggest in Loyola annals as it allowed the Cubs to advance to the CIF AAAA title contest, in which the Big Blue defeated St. Paul to secure the program’s third CIF Large Schools championship. Shortly thereafter, Loyola was crowned National High School champion by the National Sports News Service.
1977
Fountain Valley, the number one-ranked team in the state, travelled to Santa Monica College for a quarterfinal clash with the Del Rey League champion Cubs. The two titans of Southern Section football duked it out for four quarters, with the contest tied at the sound of the final gun. At the conclusion of the second overtime period, after the Barons scored a TD to make the score, 28-27, Fountain Valley chose to go for two and the win before an overflow standing-room-only crowd that was on pins and needles. A ferocious effort by the Cub ‘Wolfpack’ defense, led by Al Antee, Joe Murray, Ben Baca and Dave Takata up front and linebackers Marlon Thompson, Dan Brenton, Mike Hernandez and Adrian Hernandez, stopped the Barons’ All-CIF running back Willie Gittens short of the goal line, securing a 28-27 victory in in what ranks among the all-time Cub classics.
1986
The 1986 Cubs were among the grittiest, toughest groups in the program’s storied history. Team MVP, George Paton (now the GM of the Denver Broncos), started at both QB and safety. In a non-league game at powerhouse Antelope Valley on a cold October Friday night in Lancaster, Loyola scored with under a minute to play. Head coach Steve Grady elected to go for a two point conversion. Ironman Paton found tight end Chris Rising, who had crossed behind the offensive line after the snap, all alone for the game-winning two point toss. The Cubs’ long ride home from the high desert was quite celebratory after the 8-7 triumph.
1990
In the 1990 CIF Division I quarterfinal round played before a packed house at Glendale’s Moyse Field, Loyola had the unenviable task of slowing down nationally ranked Fontana’s dominating rushing attack. Late in the fourth quarter the Steelers were driving on the Cubs with the help of their massive offensive line and powerful running backs. Fontana, which essentially eschewed passing, was faced with a fourth-and-nine do-or -die situation in Loyola territory. Sure enough the Steelers ran a power play to the left side. CIF Div. I Defensive Player-of-the-Year Drew Casani (now the Big Blue’s varsity head coach) and All-CIF defensive end Kevin Bender stopped the bruising Steeler ball carrier three inches short of the first down, and the Del Rey League champion Cubs escaped with an epic 10-7 victory for the ages. Loyola went on to win its fourth of six CIF Large School titles two weeks later.
1995
Before yet another standing-room-only crowd at Glendale’s Moyse Field in the CIF Division I semifinals, Loyola was down by two touchdowns to nationally ranked Los Alamitos, one of the most prolific passing teams of the ‘90s. Head coach Steve Grady pulled out one of his patented trick plays, the “Fumblerooskie” early in the second half. The ‘Rooskie netted a key first down which allowed All-CIF tailback Mike Vanis to score shortly thereafter. Ultimately, the Cubs scored late in the fourth quarter to pull ahead, 37-34. The Griffins were driving when safety Scott Walter broke up a fourth down pass to seal the Big Blue triumph, and secure a trip to the Coliseum the following week.
1996
Before a packed house at then-national powerhouse Fontana Loyola engaged the Steelers in an old fashioned slugfest in the CIF Division I semifinals. The brutally physical contest ended in a stalemate after four quarters. An interception by Cub All-CIF DB Wesley Willard in the end zone in overtime allowed All-CIF kicker Mike MacGillivray’s field goal to be the margin of victory in the 16-13 win. The Loyola bus needed a police escort to the San Bernardino Freeway.
1997
The only program to have Loyola’s number over the decades is Bishop Amat. Suffice to say, the Cub versus Lancer clashes were always physical affairs. The two powerhouse program’s battle for the Del Rey League trophy in week seven was played before a capacity crowd at Bishop Amat’s home field in La Puente. Late in the fourth quarter the Lancers, down 3-0, faced a fourth-and-one play deep in Loyola territory. All-CIF Division I defensive tackle Mike Long shot through the A-gap and stopped the Lancer running back for no gain. Jubilation ensued on the visitors’ sideline as the Cubs shut out their arch rival. The 1997 ‘Wolfpack’ defense was among the best in program history. The stop squad did not relinquish a point in league play and allowed only 90 points in 13 games (average of less than seven points per contest).
2000
in another CIF Division I semifinal classic between two national top ten powers before an overflow crowd at Moyse Field in Glendale, Loyola and Rialto Eisenhower battled for a ticket to the title game for four grueling quarters. Regulation ended in a tie, and once again the Cub defense shined in overtime. All-CIF Div. I kicker Nathan Oakes’ field goal clinched Loyola’s trip to Anaheim Stadium for the championship tilt against L. B. Poly, to whom the Cubs succumbed, 16-13, in a taut overtime heartbreaker. Loyola finished the campaign ranked 15th in the nation. Loyola MVP Matt Ware (QB/S) was named CIF Div. I Player-the-Year.
2003
Under the bright lights at Home Depor Center in Carson, Loyola and Los Alamitos met in the CIF Division I semifinals in front of a huge crowd. The heavy weight fight was tied at the end of four quarters. In the second overtime, the Griffins had a first and goal at the Cub one-yard line. In one of the epic defensive stands in Cub Football history, the ‘Wolfpack’ was unyielding. On fourth-down-and goal at the one yard line Loyola stopped Los Al cold. Among the Cub stalwarts who led the charge was All-CIF linebacker Ian Wilson, who is among the great defenders in Loyola grid annals.
2005
In the highest scoring CIF title contest in Cub Football history, Loyola was tied with Esperanza, 42-42, in the waning moments of the contest after the Cubs had just scored behind a game-for-the-ages performance by Loyola CIF Player-of-the-Year, quarterback Henry Burge. The ensuing Cub Kickoff was fumbled by the Aztecs and Loyola recovered. On the first offensive play following the fumble recovery, Burge found All-CIF receiver Marcus Lawrence streaking down the middle of the field for the game-winning TD. The huge Loyola fan contingent erupted as the Cubs captured their sixth CIF Large Schools title by a score of 49-42.
2009
In the last league game of the season under interim head coach Adam Guerra ‘03, the Cubs were behind the Crespi Celts, 29-7, at East Los Angeles College. Things were looking bleak at that point, but suddenly Loyola caught fire behind a great performance by junior quarterback Jerry Neuheisel, who finished the contest with over 300 yards passing. In the waning seconds of the fourth quarter, down by four points, 38-34, and facing fourth-and-11 at the Crespi 47-yard line, Guerra drew up a play in the dirt. The Cubs came out with four eligible pass catchers to one side and a fifth to the other. B. J. Fennessy was lined up in one of the slots. Running a star route up the middle, Neuheisel connected with Fennessy, who raced into the end zone untouched to give Loyola one of its best comeback victories of all time.
A talented group of Cubs are hoping to make great plays during this delayed “2020” campaign.
if you have memories of other great plays in big games, feel free to share them.
Don't miss what's next. Subscribe to Cub Football and Loyola athletics news: