Cub Football - Loyola makes 35th appearance in quarterfinal round of CIF Southern Section playoffs this Friday. - A look at Villa Park
Loyola makes 35th appearance in CIF Southern Section football playoff quarterfinal round on Friday
Loyola has played a prominent role in the CIF Southern Section football playoffs since private schools were first invited to participate in post season competition in the 1940s, and the Big Blue once again is in the hunt for CIF hardware.
This Friday, the surging Cubs will host the Villa Park Spartans at Smith Field at 7:00 p.m. in the quarterfinal round of the CIF Southern Section Division 4 playoffs. The contest marks the 35th time Loyola has advanced to at least the quarterfinal round since the Big Blue first participated in the CIF playoffs in 1945.
Needless to say, the excitement generated by the Cubs' first round playoff triumph over Palos Verdes in the South Bay last Friday has created a positive vibe throughout the school and alumni communities. A huge crowd of Loyola supporters is expected to be on hand this Friday in the cozy confines of Smith Field.
A look at the Villa Park Spartans
It is no wonder that Villa Park competes with impressive physicality and executes with great discipline. You could say such traits are in its blood as veteran head coach Dusan Ancich is the son of one of California’s prep coaching icons, the late Marijon Ancich, who amassed the second most wins (360) in state history, behind only the legendary Bob Ladouceur of Concord De La Salle (399-25-4).
The elder Ancich spent most of his career as the head coach at Santa Fe Springs St. Paul where he led the Swordsmen to multiple league, CIF AAAA/Division I and state titles. St. Paul and Loyola had quite the rivalry during the ‘70s and ‘80s. The Cubs defeated the Swordsmen at the Coliseum, 14-13, in the CIF Southern Section AAAA title game in 1975 and were acclaimed National High School Champions.
The younger Ancich coaches his squads in a similar manner as his father, emphasizing fundamentals, precise execution and a tough brand of football.
Ancich has had remarkable success in in his tenure at Villa Park, and he is hoping to continue his team’s recent run of championship caliber football in the CIF Southern Section quarterfinals against Loyola. The Spartans returned 15 starters from their 2018 team, including their top running back, wide receiver, defensive player and linemen.
The big time players for Villa Park are senior wide receiver/safety Zion Alefosio (6-1, 195), junior tight end/defensive end Zeus Alefosio (6-3, 215) and senior middle linebacker John Tu’avao (5-11, 205), who is a dominating middle linebacker. That trio is among the best at their respective positions the Cubs’ have faced this season. While the Spartans’ primary offensive weapon is their potent rushing attack, they also have hit big plays through the air. Senior running back Anthony Hakai (5-9, 205) is the top rusher. A powerful, punishing pounder on the ground and dangerous receiver out of the backfield, Hakai gained 154 yards on 24 carries in Villa Park’s opening round win over Temecula Great Oak last Friday.
The Spartans finished second in the Crestview League. Their average score in conference play was 40-11. Villa Park continued its upward trajectory last Friday in the first round of the Division 4 playoffs with a 39-8 demolition of Temecula Great Oak, an at-large team out of the Southwestern League.
Do not be fooled by the Spartans’ 6-5 record. Three of their non-league losses were to state top ten-ranked powerhouses Mater Dei (1st), Mission Viejo (3rd) and Servite (6th). Their sole conference loss was to 10-1 Yorba Linda, the fourth seed in Division 5. Villa Park’s competition against elite programs has prepared it well for the Division 4 playoffs.
OUTLOOK
For a second consecutive week Loyola will need to exceed the intensity and physicality of its focused opponent to notch a victory. The Cubs have more than enough talent to match up with Villa Park.
The squad that makes the fewest mistakes will probably be the one that advances to the semifinals. This marks the first time Loyola and Villa Park have met in football.
COME OUT AND SUPPORT THE CUBS THIS FRIDAY IN THEIR QUEST FOR A CIF TITLE!!!
A tailgate gathering at Papa Cristos, 2771 W. Pico Boulevard (northeast corner of Pico and Normandie) is tentatively scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Friday. More details to follow.
Loyola has played a prominent role in the CIF Southern Section football playoffs since private schools were first invited to participate in post season competition in the 1940s, and the Big Blue once again is in the hunt for CIF hardware.
This Friday, the surging Cubs will host the Villa Park Spartans at Smith Field at 7:00 p.m. in the quarterfinal round of the CIF Southern Section Division 4 playoffs. The contest marks the 35th time Loyola has advanced to at least the quarterfinal round since the Big Blue first participated in the CIF playoffs in 1945.
Needless to say, the excitement generated by the Cubs' first round playoff triumph over Palos Verdes in the South Bay last Friday has created a positive vibe throughout the school and alumni communities. A huge crowd of Loyola supporters is expected to be on hand this Friday in the cozy confines of Smith Field.
A look at the Villa Park Spartans
It is no wonder that Villa Park competes with impressive physicality and executes with great discipline. You could say such traits are in its blood as veteran head coach Dusan Ancich is the son of one of California’s prep coaching icons, the late Marijon Ancich, who amassed the second most wins (360) in state history, behind only the legendary Bob Ladouceur of Concord De La Salle (399-25-4).
The elder Ancich spent most of his career as the head coach at Santa Fe Springs St. Paul where he led the Swordsmen to multiple league, CIF AAAA/Division I and state titles. St. Paul and Loyola had quite the rivalry during the ‘70s and ‘80s. The Cubs defeated the Swordsmen at the Coliseum, 14-13, in the CIF Southern Section AAAA title game in 1975 and were acclaimed National High School Champions.
The younger Ancich coaches his squads in a similar manner as his father, emphasizing fundamentals, precise execution and a tough brand of football.
Ancich has had remarkable success in in his tenure at Villa Park, and he is hoping to continue his team’s recent run of championship caliber football in the CIF Southern Section quarterfinals against Loyola. The Spartans returned 15 starters from their 2018 team, including their top running back, wide receiver, defensive player and linemen.
The big time players for Villa Park are senior wide receiver/safety Zion Alefosio (6-1, 195), junior tight end/defensive end Zeus Alefosio (6-3, 215) and senior middle linebacker John Tu’avao (5-11, 205), who is a dominating middle linebacker. That trio is among the best at their respective positions the Cubs’ have faced this season. While the Spartans’ primary offensive weapon is their potent rushing attack, they also have hit big plays through the air. Senior running back Anthony Hakai (5-9, 205) is the top rusher. A powerful, punishing pounder on the ground and dangerous receiver out of the backfield, Hakai gained 154 yards on 24 carries in Villa Park’s opening round win over Temecula Great Oak last Friday.
The Spartans finished second in the Crestview League. Their average score in conference play was 40-11. Villa Park continued its upward trajectory last Friday in the first round of the Division 4 playoffs with a 39-8 demolition of Temecula Great Oak, an at-large team out of the Southwestern League.
Do not be fooled by the Spartans’ 6-5 record. Three of their non-league losses were to state top ten-ranked powerhouses Mater Dei (1st), Mission Viejo (3rd) and Servite (6th). Their sole conference loss was to 10-1 Yorba Linda, the fourth seed in Division 5. Villa Park’s competition against elite programs has prepared it well for the Division 4 playoffs.
OUTLOOK
For a second consecutive week Loyola will need to exceed the intensity and physicality of its focused opponent to notch a victory. The Cubs have more than enough talent to match up with Villa Park.
The squad that makes the fewest mistakes will probably be the one that advances to the semifinals. This marks the first time Loyola and Villa Park have met in football.
COME OUT AND SUPPORT THE CUBS THIS FRIDAY IN THEIR QUEST FOR A CIF TITLE!!!
A tailgate gathering at Papa Cristos, 2771 W. Pico Boulevard (northeast corner of Pico and Normandie) is tentatively scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Friday. More details to follow.
Don't miss what's next. Subscribe to Cub Football and Loyola athletics news: