Cub Football - Loyola loses heartbreaker to Inglewood in opener
LOYOLA CAN’T HANG ON, LOSES IN TAUT BATTLE TO INGLEWOOD, 29-26
Loyola kicked off the 2021 season at Smith Field on Friday night against an opponent ranked in the state top 20. The Inglewood Sentinels have major college recruits all over their roster, including a Cal-bound 6-5 quarterback who is a flame thrower.
The Cubs have their own cadre of talented players, but against an experienced, top flight foe a total of nine players were making their first varsity starts for Loyola. And that lack of experience likely played a role in what was a close, heartbreaking loss.
Inglewood lived up to its marquee billing on its first drive which culminated in a 26-yard scoring toss at the 5:39 mark of the first quarter. The two-point conversion attempt was good, giving the Sentinels an 8-0 lead.
The Cubs were forced to punt on their first two possessions. Shortly thereafter Loyola’s ‘Wolfpack’ defense stuffed a fourth down Inglewood run, and the Cubs took over possession at their 35-yard line. Senior All-CIF running back TAHJ OWENS sprinted 54 yards up the middle for a touchdown less than two minutes into the second quarter. The extra point kick made the score 8-7 in favor of the Sentinels.
Inglewood answered immediately with a 74-yard sprint to pay dirt at the 9:47 mark of the second quarter to up its lead to 15-7. The Cubs returned the ensuing kickoff to their 35-yard line and mounted a solid drive before settling for a 28-yard field goal with 5:20 remaining in the first half to make the score 15-10.
Momentum built for Loyola when the ‘Wolfpack’ stopped a fake punt attempt by the Sentinels. The Cubs started their next possession at their 39-yard line. On a third down-and 11 play, junior quarterback XAVIER RICE, in his first varsity start, found senior receiver PETER VANIS open across the middle for a beautifully executed 40-yard TD catch and run. The extra point gave Loyola a 17-15 lead with 2:32 left on the clock before intermission.
After forcing a Sentinel punt, Loyola took over at its 45-yard line with less than a minute to play. With five seconds remaining on the clock before half time a scrambling RICE tossed a 43-yard touchdown aerial to junior receiver BAYLIN BROOKS to put the Cubs ahead 24-15. It felt as though Loyola was in control as an exited group of Cubs ran to the locker room.
Unfortunately, the momentum created by the last second score was short lived, as Inglewood was unfazed by their nine point deficit. The Sentinel defense dominated the second half. Loyola’s nine second half possession ended as follows: punt, turn over on downs, interception, punt, punt, punt, pick-six, fumble, turn over on downs.
Loyola senior defensive lineman SHAWN LIN tackled the Sentinels’ quarterback in the Inglewood end zone for a safety at the 6:36 mark of the third quarter to up the Cubs’ lead to 26-15.
The Big Blue had an opportunity to put the game away when it started a drive at the Inglewood 26-yard line, but two ten yard penalties forced Loyola to punt. A short time later, a huge sack by Cub sophomore inside linebacker TYE SMITH put the Sentinels in a third-and-25 hole, forcing a punt.
Another Loyola scoring opportunity presented itself after an Inglewood center snap soared over its QB’s head and the loose ball was recovered by junior defensive lineman KEENAN TARBET at the Sentinels’ 26-yard line. Rather than cashing in on yet another chance to extend the lead, on the Cubs’ first play an Inglewood defender jumped a swing route, intercepted the ball and took it 74 yards for a touchdown with 5:54 remaining in the fourth quarter. The PAT kick closed the gap to 26-21. At that point the proverbial vultures began to circle.
Hoping to run down the clock and gain first downs, the Big Blue started its ensuing possession on their 20 yard line. After gaining a first down, disaster struck once again as Loyola fumbled after a short run, and Inglewood recovered at the Loyola 30-yard line. A sense of dread on the Cub sideline was palpable as the Sentinel signal caller completed a go route to one of his fleet wide receivers who sprinted to the two-yard line. On the next play, Inglewood’s talented field general trotted into the end zone with 2:33 left in the game to put the visitors in the lead, 29-26.
Loyola mounted a hurry-up drive highlighted by pass completions to senior receiver JACOBY KELLY and VANIS, but after entering into Sentinel territory, the Cubs were ultimately stopped on fourth down.
The loss was a result of two monster turnovers, one of which resulted directly in a score, and the inability of Loyola to muster any offense in the second half. It was a very painful defeat, but important experience was gained, and lessons learned, against a very competitive opponent.
Loyola will travel to La Verne to take on a highly regarded Damien team which has a number of impact transfers in its second non-league contest next Thursday.
Expect a rebound effort by the Cubs. The mix of talented experience and youth should allow the Cubs to make strides.
Loyola kicked off the 2021 season at Smith Field on Friday night against an opponent ranked in the state top 20. The Inglewood Sentinels have major college recruits all over their roster, including a Cal-bound 6-5 quarterback who is a flame thrower.
The Cubs have their own cadre of talented players, but against an experienced, top flight foe a total of nine players were making their first varsity starts for Loyola. And that lack of experience likely played a role in what was a close, heartbreaking loss.
Inglewood lived up to its marquee billing on its first drive which culminated in a 26-yard scoring toss at the 5:39 mark of the first quarter. The two-point conversion attempt was good, giving the Sentinels an 8-0 lead.
The Cubs were forced to punt on their first two possessions. Shortly thereafter Loyola’s ‘Wolfpack’ defense stuffed a fourth down Inglewood run, and the Cubs took over possession at their 35-yard line. Senior All-CIF running back TAHJ OWENS sprinted 54 yards up the middle for a touchdown less than two minutes into the second quarter. The extra point kick made the score 8-7 in favor of the Sentinels.
Inglewood answered immediately with a 74-yard sprint to pay dirt at the 9:47 mark of the second quarter to up its lead to 15-7. The Cubs returned the ensuing kickoff to their 35-yard line and mounted a solid drive before settling for a 28-yard field goal with 5:20 remaining in the first half to make the score 15-10.
Momentum built for Loyola when the ‘Wolfpack’ stopped a fake punt attempt by the Sentinels. The Cubs started their next possession at their 39-yard line. On a third down-and 11 play, junior quarterback XAVIER RICE, in his first varsity start, found senior receiver PETER VANIS open across the middle for a beautifully executed 40-yard TD catch and run. The extra point gave Loyola a 17-15 lead with 2:32 left on the clock before intermission.
After forcing a Sentinel punt, Loyola took over at its 45-yard line with less than a minute to play. With five seconds remaining on the clock before half time a scrambling RICE tossed a 43-yard touchdown aerial to junior receiver BAYLIN BROOKS to put the Cubs ahead 24-15. It felt as though Loyola was in control as an exited group of Cubs ran to the locker room.
Unfortunately, the momentum created by the last second score was short lived, as Inglewood was unfazed by their nine point deficit. The Sentinel defense dominated the second half. Loyola’s nine second half possession ended as follows: punt, turn over on downs, interception, punt, punt, punt, pick-six, fumble, turn over on downs.
Loyola senior defensive lineman SHAWN LIN tackled the Sentinels’ quarterback in the Inglewood end zone for a safety at the 6:36 mark of the third quarter to up the Cubs’ lead to 26-15.
The Big Blue had an opportunity to put the game away when it started a drive at the Inglewood 26-yard line, but two ten yard penalties forced Loyola to punt. A short time later, a huge sack by Cub sophomore inside linebacker TYE SMITH put the Sentinels in a third-and-25 hole, forcing a punt.
Another Loyola scoring opportunity presented itself after an Inglewood center snap soared over its QB’s head and the loose ball was recovered by junior defensive lineman KEENAN TARBET at the Sentinels’ 26-yard line. Rather than cashing in on yet another chance to extend the lead, on the Cubs’ first play an Inglewood defender jumped a swing route, intercepted the ball and took it 74 yards for a touchdown with 5:54 remaining in the fourth quarter. The PAT kick closed the gap to 26-21. At that point the proverbial vultures began to circle.
Hoping to run down the clock and gain first downs, the Big Blue started its ensuing possession on their 20 yard line. After gaining a first down, disaster struck once again as Loyola fumbled after a short run, and Inglewood recovered at the Loyola 30-yard line. A sense of dread on the Cub sideline was palpable as the Sentinel signal caller completed a go route to one of his fleet wide receivers who sprinted to the two-yard line. On the next play, Inglewood’s talented field general trotted into the end zone with 2:33 left in the game to put the visitors in the lead, 29-26.
Loyola mounted a hurry-up drive highlighted by pass completions to senior receiver JACOBY KELLY and VANIS, but after entering into Sentinel territory, the Cubs were ultimately stopped on fourth down.
The loss was a result of two monster turnovers, one of which resulted directly in a score, and the inability of Loyola to muster any offense in the second half. It was a very painful defeat, but important experience was gained, and lessons learned, against a very competitive opponent.
Loyola will travel to La Verne to take on a highly regarded Damien team which has a number of impact transfers in its second non-league contest next Thursday.
Expect a rebound effort by the Cubs. The mix of talented experience and youth should allow the Cubs to make strides.
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