LOYOLA DONE IN BY A HANDFUL OF DISASTROUS PLAYS IN LOSS TO OAKS CHRISTIAN 
If before Loyola's game against the state's 13th ranked team at Smith Field on Friday night it was known that the Cubs would out gain the Lions two to one in total offense and hold Oaks' offense to a paltry 56 yards in the first half, it would have been reasonably presumed that Loyola was going to pull off a major upset in its final non-league tilt.

It was a maddeningly incongruous outcome as the Cubs were done in by several game-wrecking plays, at least two of which were the result of costly miscues of their own making in a 31-14 loss that was much closer than the final score.

Loyola's 'Wolfpack' defense caused a Lions' fumble on the game's opening drive, took possession of the ball at its own 47 yard line, and promptly marched 53 yards in seven plays with quarterback T. K. KNYAL capping the scoring drive on a three-yard run at the 7:35 mark of the first quarter. A.J. SCHULTZ's extra point kick gave the Cubs a 7-0 lead. KNYAL's 33-yard pass to sophomore tailback SEAN MORRIS was the highlight of the drive. 

The first of Oaks Christian's game-busting plays came on the ensuing kickoff, when it's fastest player, a state-quality sprinter, raced 88 yards up the middle of the field in ten seconds to tie the score, 7-7. Two plays into Loyola's next possession a Cub pass was tipped and intercepted by the Lions at the Loyola 28 yard line. Five plays later Oaks scored on an 11-yard run to put the visitors ahead 14-7.

Disaster struck yet again at the end of the Cubs ensuing drive which covered 86 yards. A fumble was picked up by a Lion defender at the 10 yard line and returned 90 yards for a TD to put Oaks up 21-7 with 2:48 left in first half. It was a controversial play, as the QB's arm was in forward motion when the ball came out. It was ruled a fumble much to the astonishment of the home fans.

On the opening drive of the second half Loyola put together another well executed 90-yard drive, culminated by a tackle-breaking 35-yard run to the end zone by SEAN MORRIS at the 4:29 mark of the third quarter to pull the Cubs within seven, 21-14. 

The Lions kicked a 39-yard field goal with 1:18 remaining in the third quarter to make the score 24-14. Following a Cub punt, Oaks drove 62 yards in four plays, scoring on a 48-yard pass to give the Lions a commanding 31-14 lead with 9:46 remaining in the contest.

On its next possession Loyola took over at its 30 yard line, and moved the ball down to the Oaks one yard line, where it lost another fumble on a first-and-goal play squelching any bid for a potential comeback.

SEAN MORRIS had his best game of the season, rushing for 162 yards behind a solid outing by the offensive line. Wide receiver KHALIL CUEVA had another stellar game, making some critical first down catches to keep drives alive. 

Unofficially, the Cubs out gained the Lions 337-162. In the end, the difference was a few big plays.

Angelus League competition commences next Friday when Loyola (1-4) travels to La Canada-Flintridge to take on long time arch rival St. Francis (4-1).

The Cubs cannot afford to make big mistakes in conference play if it hopes to make a run at a fourth consecutive league championship.

2023 LOYOLA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE/RESULTS

August 25          @ Damien (L 35-14)
September 1      Culver City (W 24-6)
September 8      Leuzinger (L 35-14)
September 15    @ Chaminade (L 42-35)
September 22    Oaks Christian (L 31-14)
September 29    @ St. Francis*
October 6           St. Paul*
October 13         @ Crespi*
October 20         Paraclete*
October 29         @ Cathedral* 
(* denotes Angelus League game)