Cub Football - Does Madison of San Diego's loss factor into Loyola's playoff hopes?
Loyola faces 1-6 Crespi team that is looking for upset
Loyola holds a 26-9-1 record in its series with the Crespi Celts which dates back to 1973, the first year of head coach MARTY SHAUGNESSY's three-year tenure, the last of which culminated in an undefeated season, a CIF Southern Section AAAA title and a National Championship.
Under alumnus head man Troy Thomas, the Celts (1-6, 0-3) have not had the season they hoped for this fall. Crespi has been outscored 241-99 (average score, 14-34) in seven games and is 0-3 in the Mission League, having been routed 39-7 by Chaminade, 32-14 by Alemany and 56-24 by surging Bishop Amat last Friday in La Puente.
While the Celts are struggling, their offense scored the most points (24) of any game this season in the loss to the Lancers. The Cubs were only able to muster a field goal in their 7-3 setback to Amat.
Crespi is looking for the upset on their home lot and want to play the spoilers' role in Loyola's quest for playoff consideration. If the Cubs take Thomas's team for granted, they will be making a big mistake. The Celts will be fired up on Friday. Loyola will need to bring its A-game to thwart any Crespi plans for an upset.
Most memorable game of Loyola vs. Crespi series
The most memorable Crespi vs. Loyola battle was the 1987 clash played before a standing-room-only crowd at Lake Balboa Birmingham. Both teams were ranked in USA Today's national top ten going into the heralded showdown.
The Cub 'Wolfpack' defense dominated in a 15-8 Loyola victory before over 10,000 fans. Crespi's vaunted All-American running back Russell White was held to 27 yards in 14 carries by one of the best defensive units in Cub Football annals. Current defensive coordinator MIKE GILHOOLY '88 started at outside linebacker for Loyola.
Pre-game for Crespi
Many Cub families and fans are planning to meet before Friday's game in Encino at Surly Goat, a restaurant located at 17337 Ventura Boulevard, No. 100a Encino, CA 91316.
Could Madison of the San Diego Section's loss help the Cubs quest for playoff consideration
No one knows exactly what criteria the CIF Southern Section will utilize in picking the 16th team out of the18 that comprise Division I for inclusion in the playoffs that get underway on November 10.
There appears to be a consensus among prep football cognoscenti that all six teams in the Trinity League will get invitations to the Division I playoffs. If that is the case, even if the Cubs win at Crespi on Friday and at Alemany on November 3 after a bye week, and finish 6-4, as the fourth place team in the Mission League, they would not be extended a playoff invitation.
While seemingly in the minority, there are those who strongly believe Loyola would deserve a playoff berth with a 6-4 overall record and fourth place conference finish over a 5-5 Trinity League squad with no league victories. Either Orange Lutheran or Servite could finish 5-5 and 0-5 in Trinity conference play.
If the CIF selects teams solely based on Max Preps rankings, the Cubs could miss out even if a Trinity school finishes winless in league competition; however, if the overall body of work is considered, San Diego St. Augustine may have done Loyola a huge favor last Friday by defeating the third-ranked San Diego Section Division I team, Madison, by a 19-10 score. At the time, the Warhawks were ranked 19th in the state. On September 8, the Cubs soundly defeated St. Augustine, 41-0, on the road at San Diego Morse College.
Other facts to consider: Loyola fell to Bishop Amat by just four points, 7-3, and the Lancers lost to Mater Dei, the top ranked team in the nation, in a non-league contest by 24 points (31-7), which was the smallest Monarch victory margin against any California foe except number-two-ranked St. John Bosco. Mater Dei defeated the Braves last Friday 31-21. The Monarchs' average score against the other California schools they beat is 55-18.
The Cubs are currently ranked 37th in the state by MaxPreps. Servite is ranked 14th and Orange Lutheran is ranked 16th in California. Each has three Trinity games left on their schedules.
It looks as though Vista Murrieta is a lock to make the playoffs out of the Southwestern League as an automatic qualifier (projected to finish in third place). Loyola needed the Broncos to lose last Friday's game against Murrieta Mesa, but it didn't happen.
One thing is sure, there will be a sense of outrage among Big Blue faithful if the Cubs finish in fourth place in the Mission League with an overall record of 6-4 and a conference slate of 3-3, and they lose out on a playoff invitation to a 5-5 Trinity League team that does not possess a single conference win.
All of the prognostications, arguments, permutations and combinations will of course be moot if Loyola does not take care of business on Friday and November 3.
Loyola holds a 26-9-1 record in its series with the Crespi Celts which dates back to 1973, the first year of head coach MARTY SHAUGNESSY's three-year tenure, the last of which culminated in an undefeated season, a CIF Southern Section AAAA title and a National Championship.
Under alumnus head man Troy Thomas, the Celts (1-6, 0-3) have not had the season they hoped for this fall. Crespi has been outscored 241-99 (average score, 14-34) in seven games and is 0-3 in the Mission League, having been routed 39-7 by Chaminade, 32-14 by Alemany and 56-24 by surging Bishop Amat last Friday in La Puente.
While the Celts are struggling, their offense scored the most points (24) of any game this season in the loss to the Lancers. The Cubs were only able to muster a field goal in their 7-3 setback to Amat.
Crespi is looking for the upset on their home lot and want to play the spoilers' role in Loyola's quest for playoff consideration. If the Cubs take Thomas's team for granted, they will be making a big mistake. The Celts will be fired up on Friday. Loyola will need to bring its A-game to thwart any Crespi plans for an upset.
Most memorable game of Loyola vs. Crespi series
The most memorable Crespi vs. Loyola battle was the 1987 clash played before a standing-room-only crowd at Lake Balboa Birmingham. Both teams were ranked in USA Today's national top ten going into the heralded showdown.
The Cub 'Wolfpack' defense dominated in a 15-8 Loyola victory before over 10,000 fans. Crespi's vaunted All-American running back Russell White was held to 27 yards in 14 carries by one of the best defensive units in Cub Football annals. Current defensive coordinator MIKE GILHOOLY '88 started at outside linebacker for Loyola.
Pre-game for Crespi
Many Cub families and fans are planning to meet before Friday's game in Encino at Surly Goat, a restaurant located at 17337 Ventura Boulevard, No. 100a Encino, CA 91316.
Could Madison of the San Diego Section's loss help the Cubs quest for playoff consideration
No one knows exactly what criteria the CIF Southern Section will utilize in picking the 16th team out of the18 that comprise Division I for inclusion in the playoffs that get underway on November 10.
There appears to be a consensus among prep football cognoscenti that all six teams in the Trinity League will get invitations to the Division I playoffs. If that is the case, even if the Cubs win at Crespi on Friday and at Alemany on November 3 after a bye week, and finish 6-4, as the fourth place team in the Mission League, they would not be extended a playoff invitation.
While seemingly in the minority, there are those who strongly believe Loyola would deserve a playoff berth with a 6-4 overall record and fourth place conference finish over a 5-5 Trinity League squad with no league victories. Either Orange Lutheran or Servite could finish 5-5 and 0-5 in Trinity conference play.
If the CIF selects teams solely based on Max Preps rankings, the Cubs could miss out even if a Trinity school finishes winless in league competition; however, if the overall body of work is considered, San Diego St. Augustine may have done Loyola a huge favor last Friday by defeating the third-ranked San Diego Section Division I team, Madison, by a 19-10 score. At the time, the Warhawks were ranked 19th in the state. On September 8, the Cubs soundly defeated St. Augustine, 41-0, on the road at San Diego Morse College.
Other facts to consider: Loyola fell to Bishop Amat by just four points, 7-3, and the Lancers lost to Mater Dei, the top ranked team in the nation, in a non-league contest by 24 points (31-7), which was the smallest Monarch victory margin against any California foe except number-two-ranked St. John Bosco. Mater Dei defeated the Braves last Friday 31-21. The Monarchs' average score against the other California schools they beat is 55-18.
The Cubs are currently ranked 37th in the state by MaxPreps. Servite is ranked 14th and Orange Lutheran is ranked 16th in California. Each has three Trinity games left on their schedules.
It looks as though Vista Murrieta is a lock to make the playoffs out of the Southwestern League as an automatic qualifier (projected to finish in third place). Loyola needed the Broncos to lose last Friday's game against Murrieta Mesa, but it didn't happen.
One thing is sure, there will be a sense of outrage among Big Blue faithful if the Cubs finish in fourth place in the Mission League with an overall record of 6-4 and a conference slate of 3-3, and they lose out on a playoff invitation to a 5-5 Trinity League team that does not possess a single conference win.
All of the prognostications, arguments, permutations and combinations will of course be moot if Loyola does not take care of business on Friday and November 3.
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