CUB FOOTBALL - Another old rivalry renewed in second league battle this Friday
LOYOLA CONTINUES QUEST FOR LEAGUE TITLE IN SANTA FE SPRINGS THIS FRIDAY
Another old rivalry will be renewed this Friday in Santa Fe Springs when Loyola (2-0,1-0) will take on former combatant St.Paul at the stadium they call The Pit. That moniker suits the field’s nickname as many a team over the decades have been bludgeoned by the uncommonly physical Swordsmen. Fortunately for the Cubs, they have been one of the few squads that were able to handle and match St. Paul’s physicality. From the 1960s through the 1980s Loyola and St. Paul were routinely among the highest ranked teams in the CIF Southern Section. The intense competition between the storied programs will restart this Friday at 7:00 p.m.
A LOOK AT THE SWORDSMEN
Head coach Rick Zepeda played for the Swordsmen, and instills in his troops the physical approach to the game that defined St. Paul football for decades. Zepeda coached a talented Swordsmen team to a 12-2 record and a trip to the CIF Southern Section Division 5 championship game in 2019, where they lost a close one to San Bernardino Aquinas. In non-league games Del Rey League champion St. Paul defeated Los Alamitos and lost by only eight points to powerful Sierra Canyon.
The Swordsmen suffered heavy graduation losses from its 2019 CIF runner-up squad and is in somewhat of a rebuilding mode in this delayed 2020 campaign. St. Paul (0-2, 0-1) was shut out in its opener, 16-0, by Diamond Ranch, but rebounded impressively last Friday in a 22-15 setback to a solid Crespi team on the road.
As always, the Swordsmen pound the rock on offense and play ferocious defense on the other side of the ball. Junior Mater Dei transfer running back Anthony Cervantes (6-2, 210) is a power back with speed. He rushed for 116 yards in 16 carries against Crespi.
GAME OUTLOOK
St. Paul will invest its defensive assets into stopping the run, and will try to shorten the contest with its patented grind-it-out rushing attack.
If the Swordsmen are successful in executing both of those strategies, they will definitely make a game of it. Make no mistake about it, St.Paul will bring the heat from start to finish.
The Cubs’ recipe for success will be utilizing their team speed effectively on both sides of the ball. In its league against St. Francis last Saturday, Loyola left some points on the field in its 41-14 win. The hope in the Cubs’ camp is that they strike early, forcing the Swordsmen to chase and get out of their comfort zone. If Loyola can get the ball to its playmakers in space, and cash in on every scoring opportunity, it has a good chance to notch its second Angelus League victory.
THE CUBS vs. SWORDSMEN SERIES
Loyola first competed against St. Paul in the 1975 CIF AAAA championship game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Cubs defeated legendary head coach Marijon Ancich’s Swordsmen,14-13, to cap a 13-0 campaign.
Ironically, other than defensive backs coach STEVE GRADY ‘63, three of Loyola’s varsity coaches, including head coach Marty Shaugnessy and defensive coordinator Jon Dawson, played for Ancich at St. Paul. The Cubs were crowned National Champions by the National Sports News Service after their triumph over the Swordsmen in the 1975 CIF AAAA title contest.
Loyola’s overall record against longtime power Santa Fe Springs St. Paul is 17-5-1. The last time the Cubs played the Swordsmen on the road was in 2008. Loyola defeated St. Paul, 42-21, at The Pit in Santa Fe Springs.
In terms of all time Loyola rivals, St.Paul has to rank among the top six.
JOIN THE LOYOLA GRIDIRON VANGUARD
Cub Football relies on the Loyola Gridiron Vanguard for financial support. Please renew your membership or become a member today. Please visit:
loyolahs.edu/lgv/
GREAT CONTENT ON LOYOLA GRIDIRON VANGUARD FACEBOOK PAGE
Visit Loyola Gridiron Vanguard’s Facebook page. There is a lot of great history and information about Cub Football.
GAME ATTENDANCE
Los Angeles County has moved into the Orange Tier; however, it is presently not expected that any spectators other than players’ and coaches’ families will be allowed to attend the game on Friday. If there are any changes, updates will be provided. At this time it is unknown if the game will be broadcast by live stream.
Another old rivalry will be renewed this Friday in Santa Fe Springs when Loyola (2-0,1-0) will take on former combatant St.Paul at the stadium they call The Pit. That moniker suits the field’s nickname as many a team over the decades have been bludgeoned by the uncommonly physical Swordsmen. Fortunately for the Cubs, they have been one of the few squads that were able to handle and match St. Paul’s physicality. From the 1960s through the 1980s Loyola and St. Paul were routinely among the highest ranked teams in the CIF Southern Section. The intense competition between the storied programs will restart this Friday at 7:00 p.m.
A LOOK AT THE SWORDSMEN
Head coach Rick Zepeda played for the Swordsmen, and instills in his troops the physical approach to the game that defined St. Paul football for decades. Zepeda coached a talented Swordsmen team to a 12-2 record and a trip to the CIF Southern Section Division 5 championship game in 2019, where they lost a close one to San Bernardino Aquinas. In non-league games Del Rey League champion St. Paul defeated Los Alamitos and lost by only eight points to powerful Sierra Canyon.
The Swordsmen suffered heavy graduation losses from its 2019 CIF runner-up squad and is in somewhat of a rebuilding mode in this delayed 2020 campaign. St. Paul (0-2, 0-1) was shut out in its opener, 16-0, by Diamond Ranch, but rebounded impressively last Friday in a 22-15 setback to a solid Crespi team on the road.
As always, the Swordsmen pound the rock on offense and play ferocious defense on the other side of the ball. Junior Mater Dei transfer running back Anthony Cervantes (6-2, 210) is a power back with speed. He rushed for 116 yards in 16 carries against Crespi.
GAME OUTLOOK
St. Paul will invest its defensive assets into stopping the run, and will try to shorten the contest with its patented grind-it-out rushing attack.
If the Swordsmen are successful in executing both of those strategies, they will definitely make a game of it. Make no mistake about it, St.Paul will bring the heat from start to finish.
The Cubs’ recipe for success will be utilizing their team speed effectively on both sides of the ball. In its league against St. Francis last Saturday, Loyola left some points on the field in its 41-14 win. The hope in the Cubs’ camp is that they strike early, forcing the Swordsmen to chase and get out of their comfort zone. If Loyola can get the ball to its playmakers in space, and cash in on every scoring opportunity, it has a good chance to notch its second Angelus League victory.
THE CUBS vs. SWORDSMEN SERIES
Loyola first competed against St. Paul in the 1975 CIF AAAA championship game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Cubs defeated legendary head coach Marijon Ancich’s Swordsmen,14-13, to cap a 13-0 campaign.
Ironically, other than defensive backs coach STEVE GRADY ‘63, three of Loyola’s varsity coaches, including head coach Marty Shaugnessy and defensive coordinator Jon Dawson, played for Ancich at St. Paul. The Cubs were crowned National Champions by the National Sports News Service after their triumph over the Swordsmen in the 1975 CIF AAAA title contest.
Loyola’s overall record against longtime power Santa Fe Springs St. Paul is 17-5-1. The last time the Cubs played the Swordsmen on the road was in 2008. Loyola defeated St. Paul, 42-21, at The Pit in Santa Fe Springs.
In terms of all time Loyola rivals, St.Paul has to rank among the top six.
JOIN THE LOYOLA GRIDIRON VANGUARD
Cub Football relies on the Loyola Gridiron Vanguard for financial support. Please renew your membership or become a member today. Please visit:
loyolahs.edu/lgv/
GREAT CONTENT ON LOYOLA GRIDIRON VANGUARD FACEBOOK PAGE
Visit Loyola Gridiron Vanguard’s Facebook page. There is a lot of great history and information about Cub Football.
GAME ATTENDANCE
Los Angeles County has moved into the Orange Tier; however, it is presently not expected that any spectators other than players’ and coaches’ families will be allowed to attend the game on Friday. If there are any changes, updates will be provided. At this time it is unknown if the game will be broadcast by live stream.
Don't miss what's next. Subscribe to Cub Football and Loyola athletics news: