September 10, 2022

Cub Football - Loyola can’t hold on, loses to Pasadena 15-14

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES SINK THE CUBS AT PASADENA
Loyola traveled to Pasadena High School Friday night to take on the third-ranked team in the San Gabriel Valley. The Cubs went toe to toe with the Bulldogs until the very end, but a slew of penalties and missed opportunities derailed Loyola’s chance to notch its second victory of the young season.

A 26-yard Pasadena field goal with 1:44 left in the game allowed the Bulldogs to pull out a dramatic 15-14 victory in a taut battle in which the home team never led until the waning moments of the non-league contest.

The Cubs received the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards in 12 plays scoring on JP BAUTISTA’s six-yard run. MARK HYAN’s PAT kick made the score 7-0 with 6:14 left in the first quarter. Senior CLAY WINNEK had a 30-yard run to highlight the drive, which was the best of the game for the Big Blue.

Loyola’s ‘Wolfpack’ defense forced Pasadena to punt after three plays on its first possession. The Cub offense had great field position at the Bulldogs’ 38 yard line, but a holding penalty and an illegal procedure infraction stalled the drive which ended in a missed 37-yard field goal attempt.

Thereafter, Pasadena found its offensive footing, promptly driving 79 yards to the Loyola one yard line, where the Cub defense made a determined goal line stand, stuffing a run play on fourth and goal. A holding penalty stymied Loyola’s ensuing drive, but a towering HYAN punt was downed at the Bulldogs’ 20 yard line. Pasadena drove 80 yards in 12 plays, scoring on a four-yard run with just 25 seconds remaking until halftime. A missed extra point try kept the Cubs in the lead, 7-6.

Loyola had four possessions in the second half, but on only one were the Cubs able to muster any offense. Loyola blocked a Bulldog punt and senior defensive lineman KEENAN TARBET recovered the loose ball, setting up the Big Blue at the home team’s 16 yard line. BAUTISTA weaved in from the three yard line, upping the Cub lead to 14-6 at the 10:20 mark of the final quarter.

Undaunted, as rain from tropical storm Kay began to fall, Pasadena drove 70 yards in eight plays, scoring on a five yard run with 7:41 left in the contest. The Bulldogs’ two-point conversion try failed, allowing Loyola to maintain a 14-12 lead.

The Cubs next drive began with an illegal procedure penalty, followed by a loss of a yard on a run play, a two yard run, an incomplete pass and a punt which set up Pasadena’s game winning drive.

Loyola’s inability to muster any offense in the second half and the Bulldogs’ success running the ball (201 rushing yards) ultimately was the difference in the outcome.

The Cubs  (1-2) will have to regroup in a hurry, as they host Chaminade, the best team on their schedule, next Friday. The Eagles are ranked seventh in the Southland by the Los Angeles Times.

LOYOLA LOWER LEVELS
Loyola’s sophomore squad notched its first win of the season with a 21-0 shutout of Pasadena’s JV team on Thursday.

The Cub freshmen had a bye this week. The freshman reserve squad plays at Vista of the San Diego Section today.

REVIEW OF OPPONENT OUTCOMES
Below is a review of how Loyola’s future opponents (in order) fared this week.

CHAMINADE 59, Crespi 7
The high flying Eagles continue to dominate.

OAKS CHRISTIAN 34, Regis Jesuit (Col.) 28
The Lions get past a Jesuit squad from Aurora, Colorado.

West Ranch 35, ST. PAUL 0
Swordsmen have struggled against good teams.

Chaminade 59, CRESPI 7
Nightmare season continues for the winless Celts, who have been beaten by scores of 45-7, 50-7, 63-6 and 59-7.

Serrano 48, PARACLETE 24
The Spirits are finding the going tough this season.

CATHEDRAL 39, Lawndale 10
Much improved Phantoms continue to impress.

Pius X-St. Mathias Academy 47, ST. FRANCIS 22
The Golden Knights (1-3) are not having the kind of season they had hoped for. In four games, opponents are scoring an average of 52 points per game.