September 17, 2022

Cub Football - Chaminade throws knockout punch in 48-10 rout of Loyola

LOYOLA ROLLED BY CHAMINADE 48-10
Loyola bobbed and weaved for a half on Friday night at Smith Field against Chaminade, the Southland’s seventh ranked team by the Los Angeles Times, in the Cubs’ fourth non-league contest. But even with what appeared to be a momentum-building stop on a fourth-and-one play at their own goal line seconds before halftime, and down by just six points, 13-7, the signs of the coming knockout punches by a skilled heavyweight opponent were abundantly clear.

Loyola gained a total of 16 yards of total offense in a first half that was close mainly because of mistakes by the Eagles. The proverbial flood gates blew open after intermission as the state’s fourteenth-ranked squad threw hay maker after haymaker to the tune of 35 unanswered points following an early Big Blue field goal.

Chaminade, one of the title favorites in the talented Mission League, put on a display of big boy football, which Loyola could not match. The Cub ‘Wolfpack’ defense, to its credit, put up a gallant fight against the most talented opponent it will see during the course of the regular season, but without any help from offense, it ran out of gas as the fight wore down to the final rounds.

Chaminade took the opening kickoff out to its 33 yard line and began to march, but Loyola sophomore outside linebacker SCOTT TAYLOR caused an Eagle fumble which was recovered by senior defensive lineman KEENAN TARBET at the Chaminade 47 yard line.

As would be the case most of the night, the Cubs could not take advantage and went three and out. The Eagles started their next drive at their own six yard line thanks to a solid punt by junior MARK HYAN. Once again Loyola’s defense came up big, stopping a Chaminade run on a fourth-and-four run at the Cub 40 yard line.

Good fortune came Loyola’s way again on a punt following a gain of just one yard on the preceding three plays. The Eagle returner fumbled the ball, and it was recovered by Cub senior TOMMY TERRILL at the Chaminade 11 yard line. On third down and ten Loyola senior XAVIER RICE threw a perfectly placed pass to junior wide receiver  ZANE NUR, who made a great catch, for an 11-yard touchdown with 1:14 left in the first quarter, giving the Cubs a 7-0 lead.

The Eagles answered immediately with a deflating 73- yard kick return to the Loyola 23 yard line. Following a holding call, Chaminade faced a challenging third down-and-18 and promptly completed a 31-yard TD pass to knot the score at 7-7.

Following another three-and-out by the Cubs, the Eagles kicked a 33-yard field goal at the 7:48 mark of the second quarter to put Chaminade in the lead, 10-7.

Loyola’s offense lost 11 yards on its next possession before punting. The Eagles were forced to try a 47-yard field goal after a ten yard loss on a sack by Cub senior linebacker JARED ERBY. Chaminade’s kicker drilled the kick to tack on three more points, making the score 13-7 with 3:58 left before halftime.

On six first half possessions, the Loyola offense could only muster 7, 1, 11, -1, -11 and 16 yards, and one first down. The Big Blue offensive line needed to perform to give Loyola a chance in the contest. Unfortunately, it was a disappointing outing for the trench men. Meanwhile, the Eagles amassed 204 yards of total offense on its six first half possessions, portending the onslaught which would come after intermission.

Cub freshman BRANDON LOCKHART recovered a fumbled punt after Loyola’s first three-and-out of the second half at the Chaminade 35 yard line. RICE hit senior receiver WILKE WILES in stride for a 22-yard gain, but the drive stalled, and Loyola settled for a 35-yard HYAN field goal at the 9:53 mark of the third quarter to draw the Cubs within three points, making the score 13-10.

Thereafter, the Eagles took the gloves off, scoring on a 17-yard run, a 28-yard run, a 54-yard pass, a recovered fumble in the Loyola end zone, and a 46-yard run.

The Cubs gained 52 yards in the second half. Chaminade rolled up 271 yards after intermission, and 475 for the game.

Loyola is at an inflection point. There are still opportunities on the table and a lot of room for improvement. Hopefully, some lessons were learned on Friday night.

The Cubs will face another tough non-league opponent next Friday when they travel to Westlake Village Oaks Christian.

HOW FUTURE OPPONENTS FARED THIS WEEK
Here is a look at how Loyola’s future opponents (in all caps), in order, fared this week.

Serra 20, OAKS CHRISTIAN 14
The Lions (2-2) hung with an excellent Cavalier squad, and have played a tough schedule.

Downey 44, ST. PAUL 23
St. Paul (2-3) has struggled against good teams.

Venice 43, CRESPI 14
The Celts (0-5) lost to the City Section Gondoliers by their smallest margin of defeat in a winless season.

North Torrance 31, PARACLETE 14
Paraclete (0-4) continues to have difficulties.

CATHEDRAL 45, La Salle 6
The Phantoms continue to impress. They look like Angelus League favorites.

ST. FRANCIS 41, MUIR 0
It looks as though the Golden Knights might have solved their defensive woes. They will be in the hunt for the Angelus League title.