October 19, 2022

Cub Football - Loyola freshmen romp over Cathedral JV team - Cub varsity looking forward to Friday battle against the Phantoms

LOYOLA FRESHMEN CRUSH CATHEDRAL JV TEAM IN 41-8 ROAD WIN
There have been some great Loyola freshmen football teams in the long, storied championship history of Cub Football, and after Loyola’s 41-8 rout of Cathedral’s JV squad on Wednesday afternoon at the Phantoms’ home field in Chinatown, it can be safely said that the 2022 Cub freshman contingent has officially cemented itself among the top ninth-grade groups in the school’s illustrious football annals.

At the conclusion of the first half Loyola held a 34-0 lead, had amassed a 211-31 advantage in total offense, and had limited the home team to one first down.

The second half was limited to ten-minute-as opposed to 12-minute-frames and played with a running clock. Every Big Blue player saw action after intermission.

The Cubs have outscored their eight opponents 313-58.

JOSH GALLAGHER got things going for Loyola with an electrifying, tackle-breaking 50-yard punt return for a touchdown after the ‘Wolfpack’ defense forced a three- and-out on the home team’s first possession. GALLAGHER’s PAT kick put the Cubs up 7-0 at the 8:49 mark of the first quarter, and the Big Blue onslaught was on.

CASH GINSBERG raced for a 10-yard TD with 6:03 left in the first quarter. After a missed PAT kick, Loyola held a 13-0 lead.

Quarterback JACK THOMAS hit wide receiver JACKSON NELSON with a pass, which NELSON took 41 yards into the end zone with multiple broken tackles. With 1:12 remaining in the first quarter the Cubs were up 20-0.

Tight end LUCA MARUCCI out ran the Phantom defense after a short pass from THOMAS for a 23-yard TD at the 8:10 mark of the second quarter to give the Big Blue a 27-0 lead.

Quarterback MASYN HARVEY capped a nine-play 80-yard Loyola drive with a 22-yard sprint to pay dirt with 1:04 left on the first half clock to extend the Cub lead to 34-0.

In the short second half Loyola’s offensive highlight came on a 23-yard TD pass from THOMAS to NELSON. The aerial was tipped in the end zone where a highly focused NELSON caught the tipped ball to cap a 51-yard first possession third quarter drive.

The Phantoms hit on a 74-yard TD pass with 3:40 left in the third quarter. Other than that play the home team was suffocated to the tune of 32 yards.

As usual, the offensive line (PATRICK PELLEGRINI, MATTHEW ALMENDAREZ, NELSON PYE, DAMIEN UTUONE, JOAQUIN LARA and NATHAN TURK) moved Cathedral off the ball with ease and provided great pass protection, allowing THOMAS to complete six of seven aerials for 129 yards and three TDS.

The defensive line (MAX MEIER, DAMIEN UTUONE ALBERT SANFORD, PATRICK PELLEGRINI and NATHAN TURK) and linebackers (RONEN ZAMORANO, LUCA MARRUCI, WES McMULLIN and HENRY BARTH) were an iron wall.

DefensIve backs PETER SCIARRINO, JOSH GALLAGHER, CADIN FETTERS and WYATT CLOUGHERTY played man most of the game and covered like a blanket.

It was amazing how many Big Blue supporters turned out to support the team. A lot of folks are hopping on the Big Blue freshman band wagon.

The squad’s impressive win even garnered recognition by Los Angeles Times’ prep sportswriter Eric Sondheimer on his Twitter platform.

Loyola travels to St. Francis on October 27 to close out what has a chance to be an undefeated, league championship campaign.

CUB VARSITY PREPARES FOR BIG ANGELUS LEAGUE MATCHUP AGAINST CATHEDRAL THIS FRIDAY
Loyola’s varsity is said to be having a focused week of practice in preparation for its huge game against Cathesral at Smith Field on Friday night.

A large crowd is expected for what, to date, stacks up as the Cubs most important contest of the season.