Cub Football - Loyola faces huge challenge against high-scoring Alemany after signature win over Serra
CUB FOOTBALL FACES HUGE CHALLENGE ON FRIDAY AGAINST ALEMANY
Coming off a huge 24-7 league opening win over then state number 11-ranked Gardena Serra last Friday, the Cubs (3-3, 1-0) will host Alemany (5-1, 0-1), one of the most powerful offensive juggernauts in California, this Friday at Smith Field at 7:00 p.m. If facing an uber talented offense were not challenging enough, the Warriors also will be bringing one of the Golden State’s most formidable defensive platoons to their Mission League battle with Loyola.
On paper, the Cubs have little chance to knock off Alemany, which averages 266 passing yards, 209 rushing yards and 42 points per game while allowing opponents just 15 points per outing. Making matters worse for Loyola, the Warriors will be traveling down from Mission Hills with a nasty attitude after dropping a one point 25-24 nail-biter to La Puente Bishop Amat in their first league contest, notwithstanding their offensive onslaught of 237 passing and 213 rushing yards amassed against the Lancers.
The naysayers confidently predict that the Cubs have no chance. Loyola has heard that prediction loudly and clearly.
It would take near perfection to pull off a victory, but the Big Blue will not go down without a serious fight. A big turnout for the home team certainly would add fuel to the Cubs’ fire.
EACH OF LOYOLA’S REMAINING LEAGUE OPPONENTS IS RANKED AHEAD OF THE CUBS
The final four games of the Mission League gauntlet will be no walk in the park for Loyola. Each remaining Mission League foe is slotted ahead of the Cubs in this week’s MaxPreps’ California state rankings: Bishop Amat (19th), Alemany (23rd), Notre Dame (41st) and Chaminade (82nd). Serra dropped to the number 24th spot while Notre Dame dropped precipitously after its surprising, lopsided (35-14) upset at the hands of Chaminade at the Eagles’ homecoming in West Hills last Friday.
Few would have predicted before the 2019 campaign that after the first week of Mission League contests it would be Loyola, Chaminade and Bishop Amat with 1-0 conference records. The league title is up for grabs.
A LOOK AT ALEMANY
Alemany head coach Casey Clausen’s Warrior squad is loaded with exceptional players in every position group. The Warriors’ roster has it all - speed, elite athleticism, size and strength.
Junior signal caller Miller Moss (6-3, 200) already has multiple FBS scholarship offers, and for good reason. The strong armed quarterback has thrown for 1,564 yards at a 68% completion clip.
But the Alemany offensive attack is not all about its aerial prowess. The Warrior rushing game averages 209 yards per outing, led by sophomore Floyd Chalk (5-10, 185, 562 yds., 9.4 ypc) and junior Damario Strong (5-10, 190, 418 yds., 8.7 ypc).
Alemany’s tremendously gifted receiving corps is paced by a quartet of pass catchers who average 18 yards per reception. Sophomore Kevin Green, Jr. (5-11, 170), junior DJ Justice (6-1, 180, 21.5 yds. per catch), senior Deonce Caldwell (5-10, 165, 21.2 ypc) , and junior Jashawn Todd (5-10, 180, 18.5 ypc) all cause major damage in the passing game.
The Warrior offense, which is averaging 42 points per contest, operates behind a huge, strong and mobile line with several players tilting the scales at well over 300 pounds.
Alemany’s defense is relinquishing an average of just 15 points per contest. Spearheading a tough, fast-closing stop unit is sophomore linebacker Niuafe Tuihalamaka (6-3, 230), who leads the Warriors in tackles. Senior linebacker Corey Neal (6-0, 210) and junior corner Jaylin Smith (5-11, 180) are also elite athletes.
OUTLOOK
Alemany has no apparent weaknesses and possesses uncommon talent at every position. For Loyola to have a chance against the Warriors the Cubs will either have to relentlessly pressure Moss so as to sharply reduce his 261 passing yards per game output or shut down Alemany’s strong rushing attack. It would not be surprising if the visitors come out running the ball. If that is the case, the ‘Wolfpack’ will have to answer.
Loyola will probably need to score points (24) than they did against Serra with a balanced offense. Bottom line, EVERY Cub player will need to have his best game of the campaign thus far to pull off a win that would shock the prep football world. Friday’s game could end up being a heavy weight prize fight.
THE SERIES
Loyola leads the series which began in 1968 in the inaugural Del Rey League, 24-9-1. The Cubs beat the Warriors 14-0 in the teams’ first contest.
Coming off a huge 24-7 league opening win over then state number 11-ranked Gardena Serra last Friday, the Cubs (3-3, 1-0) will host Alemany (5-1, 0-1), one of the most powerful offensive juggernauts in California, this Friday at Smith Field at 7:00 p.m. If facing an uber talented offense were not challenging enough, the Warriors also will be bringing one of the Golden State’s most formidable defensive platoons to their Mission League battle with Loyola.
On paper, the Cubs have little chance to knock off Alemany, which averages 266 passing yards, 209 rushing yards and 42 points per game while allowing opponents just 15 points per outing. Making matters worse for Loyola, the Warriors will be traveling down from Mission Hills with a nasty attitude after dropping a one point 25-24 nail-biter to La Puente Bishop Amat in their first league contest, notwithstanding their offensive onslaught of 237 passing and 213 rushing yards amassed against the Lancers.
The naysayers confidently predict that the Cubs have no chance. Loyola has heard that prediction loudly and clearly.
It would take near perfection to pull off a victory, but the Big Blue will not go down without a serious fight. A big turnout for the home team certainly would add fuel to the Cubs’ fire.
EACH OF LOYOLA’S REMAINING LEAGUE OPPONENTS IS RANKED AHEAD OF THE CUBS
The final four games of the Mission League gauntlet will be no walk in the park for Loyola. Each remaining Mission League foe is slotted ahead of the Cubs in this week’s MaxPreps’ California state rankings: Bishop Amat (19th), Alemany (23rd), Notre Dame (41st) and Chaminade (82nd). Serra dropped to the number 24th spot while Notre Dame dropped precipitously after its surprising, lopsided (35-14) upset at the hands of Chaminade at the Eagles’ homecoming in West Hills last Friday.
Few would have predicted before the 2019 campaign that after the first week of Mission League contests it would be Loyola, Chaminade and Bishop Amat with 1-0 conference records. The league title is up for grabs.
A LOOK AT ALEMANY
Alemany head coach Casey Clausen’s Warrior squad is loaded with exceptional players in every position group. The Warriors’ roster has it all - speed, elite athleticism, size and strength.
Junior signal caller Miller Moss (6-3, 200) already has multiple FBS scholarship offers, and for good reason. The strong armed quarterback has thrown for 1,564 yards at a 68% completion clip.
But the Alemany offensive attack is not all about its aerial prowess. The Warrior rushing game averages 209 yards per outing, led by sophomore Floyd Chalk (5-10, 185, 562 yds., 9.4 ypc) and junior Damario Strong (5-10, 190, 418 yds., 8.7 ypc).
Alemany’s tremendously gifted receiving corps is paced by a quartet of pass catchers who average 18 yards per reception. Sophomore Kevin Green, Jr. (5-11, 170), junior DJ Justice (6-1, 180, 21.5 yds. per catch), senior Deonce Caldwell (5-10, 165, 21.2 ypc) , and junior Jashawn Todd (5-10, 180, 18.5 ypc) all cause major damage in the passing game.
The Warrior offense, which is averaging 42 points per contest, operates behind a huge, strong and mobile line with several players tilting the scales at well over 300 pounds.
Alemany’s defense is relinquishing an average of just 15 points per contest. Spearheading a tough, fast-closing stop unit is sophomore linebacker Niuafe Tuihalamaka (6-3, 230), who leads the Warriors in tackles. Senior linebacker Corey Neal (6-0, 210) and junior corner Jaylin Smith (5-11, 180) are also elite athletes.
OUTLOOK
Alemany has no apparent weaknesses and possesses uncommon talent at every position. For Loyola to have a chance against the Warriors the Cubs will either have to relentlessly pressure Moss so as to sharply reduce his 261 passing yards per game output or shut down Alemany’s strong rushing attack. It would not be surprising if the visitors come out running the ball. If that is the case, the ‘Wolfpack’ will have to answer.
Loyola will probably need to score points (24) than they did against Serra with a balanced offense. Bottom line, EVERY Cub player will need to have his best game of the campaign thus far to pull off a win that would shock the prep football world. Friday’s game could end up being a heavy weight prize fight.
THE SERIES
Loyola leads the series which began in 1968 in the inaugural Del Rey League, 24-9-1. The Cubs beat the Warriors 14-0 in the teams’ first contest.
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