September 7, 2022

Cub Football - Loyola embarks on toughest portion of schedule starting Friday

LOYOLA BEGINS TREK THROUGH TOUGH THREE-GAME STRETCH
The Cubs improved to 1-1 with a 24-19 win over Culver City last Friday, but the sledding is about to get much tougher, starting with Friday’s trip to the City of Roses where the Big Blue will take on the surging Pasadena Bulldogs (2-1).

Four of Loyola’s remaining opponents are ranked ahead of the Cubs in the CalPreps state rankings, and Loyola will face off against three of those higher ranked foes in consecutive games starting this Friday.

Pasadena is ranked 83rd by CalPreps; Chaminade, whom the Cubs play on September 16 is in the 14th spot, and Oaks Christian, which is next up on the schedule is ranked 32nd. Because of its season-opening loss to LaVerne Damien, Loyola plummeted to number 94 out of 1,027 California high school teams ranked.

With first time starters at the running back and wide receiver positions, compounded by injuries to the top two pass catchers and the transfer of what would have been the squad’s best receiver, the Cub offense has gotten off to a slow start, but did show improvement in its second game last Friday.

Loyola’s ‘Wolfpack’ defense looked much improved against Culver City. In particular, defensive linemen ISAIAH SANDERS and KEENAN TARBET, and linebacker ZACH BOWLES stood out in the Culver City game, as did veteran corner JORDAN HEWITT.

A return to health by the top receivers, continued improvement by the first-time tailbacks and stepped up play by a big offensive line will be necessary for the Cubs to be competitive over the next three weeks, and, for that matter, the rest of the season.

A LOOK AT THE PASADENA BULLDOGS
With a rumored bevy of transfer athletes awaiting eligibility clearance by the CIF Southern Section, the Bulldogs lost their opener by a point, 15-14, to talented Whittier La Serna. In its second outing Pasadena pounded struggling Glendora, 35-10, and last Friday the Bulldogs came from behind to upset favored Damien, a team that routed Loyola 34-7 in its opener, by a 22-21 score.

Head coach Dejuan Shamburger’s squad is loaded with skilled athletes, the most talented of which is probably senior wide receiver/safety Baylin Brooks (6-3, 190), a San Diego State commit, who last season was the Cubs’ second leading receiver in both yards gained and total receptions. Brooks is averaging 13.2 yards per reception and is the team’s second leading receiver despite not playing in the first contest. He is also a standout a safety, with a 45-yard interception return to his credit. Brooks also has two runs totaling 47 yards.

Pasadena’s second leading receiver is speedy junior Cameron Mitchell (5-10, 165), who has 20 catches for 181 yards.

Senior quarterback Indiana Wijay (6-5, 200) is a gun slinger who has passed for 538 yards and four TDs at a 68% completion rate. He is protected by a big offensive line.

The Bulldogs are a pass first team, but they feature bruising running back Marlon Wilson (5-10, 220), who is tough to stop.

Pasadena has relinquished just 43 points in three games. A fast, swarming defense is led by junior corner Michael Liggins (5-11, 160, 21 tackles, 11 solo stops), senior middle linebacker Torriq Brumfield (5-11, 200, 17 tackles), senior defensive end Mikel Wallace (6-3, 210, 17 tackles, 15 solo), senior defensive lineman Jasun Ridley (6-3, 254, 14 tackles, 11 solo) and senior Outside linebacker Jonathan Mesa (5-10, 210, 14 tackles, 11 solo).

A ball-hawking secondary already has eight interceptions.

The veteran Bulldogs are surging. Pasadena finished the 2021 campaign with a 9-3 record and made it to the CIF Div. 7 semifinals.

OUTLOOK
Pasadena possesses a strong passing attack and a wuick defense, with playmakers all over the field on both sides of the ball. 

For Loyola to have a shot at a win, the Cubs will need to control the ball, the offensive line will have to play its best game thus far, and the defense must slow down the Pasadena offensive playmakers, limiting big plays. Time of possession will be a key element.

THE SERIES
Loyola leads the series 4-1-1. The teams first met in 1938, some 84 years ago. Head coach Bill Sargent’s Cubs defeated the Bulldogs 24-0 in the second non-league contest. Loyola finished 6-1-1.

In 1941 the Cubs’ lone loss was to Pasadena by a 13-0 score. Loyola’s final record under Blase Miatovich was 6-1-1.

The Bulldogs tied the Cubs 13-13 in the first game of a truncated 1943 World War II season under Bill Sargent, which concluded with a 3-2-1 record.

Loyola next played Pasadena at the Rose Bowl in the 1963 CIF AAAA playoff semifinals, and came away with a  27-14 victory behind the running of All-CIF single wing tailback MIKE BERGDAHL and CIF AAAA Player-of-the-Year two-way lineman DON SWARTZ. The MARIO DIMURO-coached Big Blue finished the 1963 campaign (12-0) with a second consecutive CIF AAAA Championship and a number two final national ranking.

In 1998 (9-2-1 record) and 1999 (8-4 record) Loyola defeated the Bulldogs in non-league tilts by scores of 28-6 and 42-3, respectively. Head coach STEVE GRADY (269-77-6) was at the helm of the Cub Football program.

FOUR CUBS TO PLAY IN NFL GAMES THIS WEEK AND ON SUNDAY
Four former Cubs will take the field for NFL teams beginning this Thursday, DAVID LONG, Jr. ‘16 (Rams corner), COLEMAN SHELTON ‘13 (Rams OL), ANTHONY BARR ‘10 (Cowboys linebacker), and MYLES BRYANT ‘16 (Patriots DB).

TWENTY-SEVEN LOYOLA GRADS PLAYING COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Twenty-seven former Loyola players are currently competing for collegiate football programs.