Cub Football - Loyola bombed by Amat, has shot to end campaign on high note
CUBS DRUBBED BY BISHOP AMAT ON SENIOR NIGHT, BUT HAVE CHANCE TO END SEASON ON HIGH NOTE
As rivalry games typically go-where you throw out the records and disregard comparative scores-the Cubs did not get the script on Friday night on Smith Field when they hosted longtime nemesis Bishop Amat before a large crowd. The temperature was warm, but Loyola was not, as it dropped its eighth consecutive game, falling to the Mission League favorites, 41-7. The Lancers opened the game with an 80-yard drive, capped by a 12-yard Lancer run at the 6:06 mark of the first quarter.
The Cubs’ first offensive possesssion ended in a punt. Loyola’s ensuing six possessions concluded as follows: punt, interception, punt, kneel down before halftime, punt, interception. Finally, with 6:17 remaining in the contest, the Cubs got on the board when senior captain NATHAN PRIESTLY hooked up with fellow senior captain HUNTER BALLARD on a five-yard swing pass to cap a 72-yard drive against the Amat reserves. Loyola was down 41-0 before the scoring drive began in the fourth quarter with the ignominy of a running clock.
The Lancers scored on each of their five first half possessions to take a commanding 35-0 lead heading into the break.
On the Cubs’ final possession senior JALEN McALPIN made a nice first down catch, but there was not enough time left with the running clock to put more Loyola points on the board before the clock hit 0:00.
Strong defensive performances for the Big Blue were turned in by senior defensive linemen MARCUS AGUILAR and SCOTT KASE, both of whom are team captains. Senior linebackers CHASE BRANIGAN and DAVID ANAWALT made some big hits as did junior linebacker STEVEN ARELLANO.
Entering the final week of what has ended up being a train wreck of a season there is hope for the Cubs as they prepare for their final contest against Serra in Gardena on Friday. The struggling Cavaliers were rocked by Chaminade on Friday, going down to the ascending Eagles in a 45-28 defeat, the same point differential by which Chaminade vanquished Loyola. Serra is 4-5 overall and 1-3 in conference competition. A Cub victory over Serra would eliminate the Cavaliers from CIF DIV. 1 playoff consideration.
The best way for Loyola to approach its final contest would be to treat it as a playoff game. A victory would certainly wrap up the season on a high note.