Cub Football - Loyola cruises to 34-6 win over Cathedral - Adds game next Friday against Mira Mesa
CUBS SUBDUE PHANTOMS, 34-6, TO NOTCH THIRD VICTORY
In a rivalry contest which has spanned 95 years, Loyola dispatched Cathedral 34-6 on Friday night at Smith Field in a non-league showdown.
The Phantoms brought tremendous size on both the offensive and defensive lines, and showcased talented skill position players, but in the end, the Cubs were simply too tough to handle for the ghostly denizens from down the road in China Town.
Once again the key playmaker for Loyola was senior All-CIF tailback TAHJ OWENS, who had a another big night running the ball for the Cubs. OWENS’ speed, power and cutting ability are a sight to behold. He finished the game with 163 rushing yards on just 17 carries (9.6 ypc) and scored two touchdowns. OWENS’ efforts were aided by the good blocking by the offensive line, led by senior SAM YOON, who dominated the Phantoms’ highly touted defensive lineman all night long.
After Loyola’s speedy, hard hitting ‘Wolfpack’ defense forced a three-and-out on the game’s opening series, the Cub offense scored quickly on a seven-yard OWENS run at the 7:36 mark of the first quarter to cap a 41-yard drive. JACKSON SHEA’s PAT kick put the Cubs up 7-0.
With 2:25 remaining in the first stanza, Cathedral took advantage of a busted coverage and scored on 62-yard pass. The extra point kick failed, making the tally 7-6.
Loyola drove 57 yards in eight plays, with the TD coming on another OWENS’ run of 30 yards. SHEA’s PAT kicked upped the Cubs’ lead to 14-7 with 6:22 remaining in the first half.
The game-changing play of the battle came just 18.6 seconds before intermission when Loyola senior outside linebacker CARTER FERGUSON exploded off the line of scrimmage on fourth down and blocked a Phantom punt at the Cathedral 12-yard line, following which he recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. SHEA’s kick made the score 21-6 just before half time.
Cub senior quarterback JOE TATUM got his groove going in the second half. He found senior wide receiver JACOBY KELLY racing down the visitors’ sideline, completing a beautifully thrown pass which KELLY caught in stride for a 48-yard TD strike with 2:13 left in the third quarter to give Loyola a 27-6 lead.
With 1:42 left in the game, TATUM hooked up with junior wide receiver WILKIE WILES on a short pass after which WILES raced 79 yards to pay dirt, highlighted by a tremendous cut back move. SHEA’s kick made the final score 34-6. TATUM completed 10 of 20 passes for 186 yards on the night.
Loyola head coach DREW CASANI praised the play of OWENS, the stingy effort of the defense, the dominant performance of YOON, the blocking of senior tight end JOE TAYLOR, the outstanding execution of the Cub kickoff team and the performance of FERGUSON on special teams and defense. The Big Blue is now 3-1. The Cubs have not yet reached their full potential which is encouraging as the Loyola train is picking up speed.
NEW OPPONENT-SAN DIEGO MIRA MESA-ON THE SLATE NEXT FRIDAY
Loyola was scheduled to play Crenshaw at home next Friday, but the game was cancelled apparently because of a lack of healthy Crenshaw players. On Friday, a replacement opponent, Mira Mesa of the San Diego Section, was found. It is expected to be a Cub home game; however a final decision as to the venue is pending.