September 2, 2022

Cub Football - Loyola downs Culver City - Cub freshmen continue to impress

LOYOLA SHOWS IMPROVEMENT IN WIN OVER CULVER CITY
The old adage is that football teams improve the most between their first and second games, and it proved true for Loyola in their road tilt at Culver City on Friday night, as the Cubs downed Culver City, 24-19. Overall the Big Blue showed improvement in virtually all phases of the game, and might be seeing the arrow pointing up as they improved their record to 1-1.

It was by no means a statement win, but by all accounts the victory demonstrated that the squad still has room for growth. Loyola’s ‘Wolfpack’ defense forced a three-and-out on the Centaurs’ first possession, but the Cub offense could not take advantage on its initial drive of the game, which began at the Loyola 45 yard line. The Big Blue drove to the Culver City 10 yard line paced by the running back duo of sophomore DESI VALDES and junior JUSTIN SMITH, but an incomplete fourth down pass ended the scoring threat.

The Cub defense forced a fumble on the Centaurs’ ensuing first play, after which VALDES bolted eight yards for a touchdown at the 4:42 mark of the first quarter. Junior MARK HYAN’s extra point kick made the score 7-0.

Loyola’s defense forced another three and out, and the Big Blue returned the punt to the Culver City 45 yard line. The Cubs drove for another score on a four-yard scamper by senior tailback JP BAUTISTA, who had a 20-yard run on the drive. HYAN’s PAT kick put Loyola up 14-0 thirty seconds into the second quarter.  HYAN had an outstanding night punting the ball.

Senior corner JORDAN HEWITT intercepted a Centaur pass at the Culver City 28 yard line. HYAN booted a 40-yard field goal with 9:39 left in the second quarter to extend the Cub lead to 17-0, which would remain until halftime.

The Centaurs’ offense came to life in the second half, as Culver City drove 68 yards, scoring on a 12-yard aerial with 2:34 remaining in the third quarter to make the score 17-7.

The pivotal play of the game for Loyola came on a 33-yard run on a fake punt by CLAY WINNEK. Shortly thereafter SMITH carried the ball 11 yards for a TD, upping the Cub lead to 24-7.

Loyola needed the cushion as the Centaurs passing attack caught fire. The home team drove 71 yards with 9:07 left in the contest, scoring on a 12 yard pass. A failed PAT made the tally 24-13. Following a Cub punt, Culver City drove 80 yards, scoring on an 11-yard pass with 3:04 left on the clock. After another failed extra point try, the score was 24-19. Fortunately, Loyola recovered the ensuing Centaur pooch kick and escaped with a five point victory.

Cub defensive linemen, junior ISAIAH SANDERS and senior KEENAN TARBET,  played well for four quarters as did senior linebackers ZACH BOWLES and NICHOLAS MORRIS.

Loyola will need to keep growing on the offensive side of the ball. The energy with which the Cubs played was a positive. Loyola will travel next Friday to take on a very good Pasadena squad.

LOYOLA FRESHMEN ROUT CULVER CITY 51-14
After demonstrating its prowess in its dominating opening-game 27-0 drubbing of Damien, Loyola’s freshman team left no doubt that the promise displayed in its first contest was not false.

Against Culver City’s frosh-soph squad on Thursday night at Smith Field, the Cub freshmen confirmed in emphatic manner that the ceiling for this squad is sky high. Indeed, the quality of the opposition in the first two games has not exactly been stellar, but the talent and toughness this group possesses was unmistakable in a dominating 51-14 rout of the Centaurs. The list of Big Blue contributors was lengthy..

The halftime score was 31-0, even with backup players playing multiple snaps before intermission.. Loyola scored on a ten yard run by EVAN SANTOS at the 8:12 mark of the first quarter. KIAN FAHID’s extra point kick made the score, 7-0 and the rout was on. On Culver City’s first possession the Cub defense played with its hair on fire and recorded a safety to go ahead 9-0.  A one yard run by SONNY VILLEGAS upped the score to 16-0.

An interception by Loyola DB PETER SCIARRINO was followed shortly by a “money” 65-yard sprint to the end zone by the speedy CASH GINSBERG. Ayden LeRoy’s two-point conversion run increased the score to 24-0. Another great TD run by EVAN SANTOS put the Cubs up 31-0.

After a brilliant first half passing performance by JACK THOMAS, signal calling duties were taken over by MASYN HARVEY who quickly threw a TD toss to ADRIAN MACIAS to extend Loyola’s lead to 38-0. Following a score by the Centaurs against the Cub reserves, HARVEY, a youth track star, turned on the jets on a 42-yard TD run with 2:14 left in the third quarter. With 6:23 remaining in the contest HARVEY raced 25 yards for his second rushing score to cap the Cub scoring on the night to make the final score, 51-14.

There were were no less that 25-30 players who had standout performances for this excellent squad.

Talent and a building warrior culture have combined to make this team very special.

CUB SOPHOMORES FALL TO 0-2
On Thursday afternoon, the Loyola’s sophomore team fell to Palmdale HIGHLAND’s JV squad, 32-19, at Smith Field, to drop to 0-2 on the season.

OPPONENT REVIEW
Here is a look at how Loyola’s future opponents, in order, fared in Week Two.

PASADENA 21, Damien 20
The Bulldogs came back from a large deficit to knock off a Spartan team that routed the Cubs in their first game.

CHAMINADE 35, Lake Balboa BIRMINGHAM 0
The very talented Eagles rolled to a shut out win over a City Section squad.

OAKS CHRISTIAN hosts Regis Jesuit of Colorado tonight.

Pius X-St. Matthias 42, ST. PAUL 13
The Warriors not only pulled off an upset of the Swordsmen, but accomplished the victory by a huge margin.

Newbury Park 63, CRESPI 6
The Celts have been outscored 158-20 in their first three games.

Serrano 48, PARACLETE 24
The Spirits are winless following a rout at the hand of the Serrano Diamondbacks.

Serra 33, CATHEDRAL 6
The Phantoms fell to 2-1 after a beat down by the Cavaliers.

Millikan 54, ST. FRANCIS 28
The Golden Kights (1-2) were routed by the Rams. In its first three games St. Francis has relinquished 163 points (54 points per game), but its offense has proven potent.