Cub Football - highly decorated seniors joined by group of outstanding juniors
LOYOLA PADS COME ON NEXT WEEK
The Cubs advanced to the CIF Division 4 championship game in 2019. Before the pandemic threw a major wrench into life as we knew it, the 2020 varsity team was expected to take a step up with a large group of outstanding returning players.
Unfortunately the fall season was canceled, but an abbreviated five game slate will commence in March, with a scrimmage against Sherman Oaks Notre Dame slated for March 12 to kick off the campaign. The talented squad will begin padded practices next week.
The two most heralded seniors, defensive backs CEYAIR WRIGHT and ZEKHARI SPEARS, lead a group of exceptionally talented players who will be moving on to the collegiate ranks next fall. Both Wright and Spears earned All-CIF accolades in 2019, with Wright also being honored as an All-American. Spears will be heading to Washington as a scholarship DB, while Wright will be competing at USC. That duo is among the best pair of corners in the state. Both are pre-season All-State selections.
Senior quarterback BRAYDEN ZERMENO (6-4, 224) has a canon caliber right arm and is primed to have a banner campaign before entering the quarterback room at the University of Arizona. Senior defensive linemen JOSH LONG and JEFFREY JOHNSON return up front on defense and will wreak havoc against opposing offenses.
Indeed, the Cub senior class is loaded, but the junior class is likewise filled with talented players.
A LOOK AT THE JUNIOR DIFFERENCE MAKERS
There are six juniors who saw extensive varsity action as sophomores. Each of them attacked the weight room with purpose in the extended off season and will be difference makers this spring.
The junior class which finished 9-1 and won the Mission League championship as freshmen in 2018 will play a pivotal role in the upcoming delayed 2020 campaign. Running back TAHJ OWENS gained over 20 pounds of muscle. He was the first Cub sophomore running back to earn All-CIF honors. Tight end JOE TAYLOR (6-3, 210) added over 30 pounds of armor. He is one of the toughest, most talented players on the team. Wide receiver JACOBY KELLY has a slew of scholarship offers, and is an extremely talented pass catcher. He has put on an additional 15 pounds since the conclusion of the 2019 season in which he led Loyola in receptions and receiving yards. Hard nosed inside linebacker PATRICK SODL added well over 20 pounds to his frame. He led the 2019 JV squad in tackles and saw part-time action on the varsity. No junior class member made more impressive strength and size gains than returning starting offensive lineman SAM YOON (6-6, 282). Yoon gained over 60 pounds and is the strongest player on the team (315 lb. bench, 525 lb. deadlift). Junior wide receiver PETER VANIS is a superb route runner and possess great hands. He also has put on about 15 pounds of quality weight.
Needless to say, a hungry group of Cubs can’t wait for the hitting to begin.