October 20, 2023

Cub Football - Loyola plays complete game, romps over Paraclete 36-7

LOYOLA MOVES CLOSER TO SECURING CIF PLAYOFF BERTH WITH IMPRESSIVE WIN OVER PARACLETE
On Friday night at Smith Field in a contest that had near must-win ramifications for the Cubs and certain must-win importance for the visiting Spirits of Lancaster Paraclete in an Angelus League battle that would go a long way in determining both teams' final conference standings and automatic CIF Southern Section playoff berths, Loyola played its best game of the 2023 campaign, rolling to a decisive 36-7 triumph over a solid Spirits' squad.

The win vaulted the Cubs into sole possession of second place in the Angelus League as the only one-loss (3-1) squad behind conference leader St. Francis (4-0).

Loyola was hitting on all cylinders as it rolled to a commanding 29-0 half time lead. The Cubs played with palpable energy and focus, scoring touchdowns on four out of their first five possessions before intermission and amassing 262 yards of total offense in the first two quarters.

Loyola drove 51 yards on four plays for a touchdown on the opening series of the game, with wide receiver KHALIL CUEVA taking an inside reverse 33 yards into the end zone at the 9:35 mark of the first quarter. Kicker MARK HYAN completed a two-point conversion pass to CHRIS CAPPETTA out of a swinging gate formation to give the Cubs an 8-0 lead they would never come close to relinquishing.

After the teams traded pun Loyola drove 36 yards on five plays, with quarterback T.K. KNYAL connecting with tight end SCOTT TAYLOR on a 25-yard scoring pass with 1:48 remaining in the first quarter. HYAN's PAT kick gave the Cubs a 15-0 lead.

On Paraclete's ensuing possession the Spirits moved the ball down the field before Loyola Edge rusher IKE SANDERS dropped Paraclete's QB for an eight yard sack.

Following the Spirits' punt, the Cubs mounted a 10-play, 90-yard drive, capped by a beautifully executed 16-yard TD pass from KNYAL to CUEVA. With 5:41 left in the second quarter HYAN's PAT kick split the uprights, increasing Loyola's lead to 22-0.

Following another Paraclete three-and-out, it took just three plays for the Cubs to cover 71 yards, with sophomore running back SEAN MORRIS racing 10 yards to pay dirt. HYAN's conversion kick upped the Big Blue's advantage to 29-0. The highlight of the drive was a 58-yard pass from KNYAL to DUKE GIARRAPUTO.

Paraclete drove 70 yards to the Loyola one yard line on its next offensive possession, but fumbled the ball under fierce pressure from the Cub 'Wolfpack' defense's front seven, allowing Loyola to take a commanding 29-0 lead into halftime.

The Spirits scored on a six-yard pass on their opening possession of the third quarter that covered 77 yards. Loyola answered immediately with a seven-play, 65-yard drive that was culminated by a 16-yard TD pass from KNYAL to GIARRAPUTO. HYAN's PAT kick increased the Cubs' lead to 36-7 with 1:12 left in the third quarter.

Paraclete put together another effective drive before the Spirits QB fumbled at the Loyola 15 yard line, sealing the deal for the Big Blue. The third consecutive conference victory unequivocally served notice that the Cubs are trending upward.  

Multiple players shined in the most complete game Loyola (4-5, 3-1) has played thus far. Behind an excellent pass-blocking effort by the offensive line, T. K. KNYAL had a breakout game, completing 10 of 14 passes (71%) for 208 yards and three touchdowns.

Senior wide receiver KHALIL CUEVA had a big night with a TD run and scoring catch to go along with a long distance kickoff return. Junior wideout DUKE GIARRAPUTO averaged 27 yards on three receptions, which included his 16-yard TD grab.

The Spirits sold out to stop Loyola's ground game, but the gambit did not work well as the Cubs' aerial assault averaged an impressive 20.8 yards per completion.  

Defensively, Loyola played fast and furiously in holding Paraclete to its lowest scoring output of the season. Senior IKE SANDERS and junior outside linebacker SCOTT TAYLOR, who was the subject of a Los Angeles Times feature article on Thursday, wreaked havoc all night. The Big Blue coaching staff dialed up solid game plans and play calls on both sides of the ball.

Senior offensive lineman CHAMP WESTBROOKS moved over to center for the first time, as Cub starter NELSON PYE III was sidelined with an injury. WESTBROOKS had an excellent outing at an unfamiliar position, while continuing to excel on the defensive line.  His replacement at left guard, junior SAMI PARK, stepped up in his first varsity start.

Inside linebackers HENRY CASANI and RONEN ZAMORANO were tough as nails all night, while safety JAKE ARELLANO played his usual brand of physical football.

A lot remains on the line for Loyola as the Cubs will travel across town to take on long time rival Cathedral in their final Angelus League battle next Friday.

A win would secure no worse than a second place conference finish, while a loss could force a potential tie for second place. The importance of the contest against the Phantoms cannot be overestimated.

If the Cubs were to lose to Cathedral, and if St. Paul were to upset St. Francis, there would be a three-way tie for second place, with no absolute guarantee of a playoff invitation should a coin toss eventuate in a fourth place finish.

ELSEWHERE IN THE ANGELUS LEAGUE
Cathedral beat favored St. Paul, tripping up the Swordsmen, 28-21, last night. St. Francis took care of business against Crespi, cruising to a 42-27 victory.

ANGELUS LEAGUE STANDINGS (through nine games)
St. Francis   4-0 (8-1 overall)
LOYOLA       3-1 (4-5 overall)
Cathedral     2-2 (4-5 overall)
St. Paul         2-2 (4-5 overall)
Paraclete      1-3 ( 6-3 overall)
Crespi           0-4 (2-7 overall)
 

FORMER FOOTBALL STARS TO BE HONORED AT LOYOLA ALUMNI DINNER ON NOVEMBER 4 - REGISTER NOW FOR THE PREMIER ANNUAL EVENT
Former Loyola high school All-American quarterback BRENDAN McCRACKEN '84, who continued his football career at UCLA, and All-Del Rey League linebacker CHRIS RISING '87, who was a starting linebacker at Duke University following his graduation from The High, are two of the three Cub alumni, along with J. Howard Johnson '54, who are being bestowed with the Cahalan Award at Loyola's annual Alumni Dinner on November 4.

The deadline to register is October 27. Be sure to register now and spread the word. The Loyola website has registration information. Search for Alumni Dinner.

2023 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE/ RESULTS 
August 25             @ Damien (L 35-14)
September 1        Culver City (W 24-6)
September 8         Leuzinger (L 35-14)
September 15      @ Chaminade (L 42-35)
September 22      Oaks Christian (L 31-14)
September 29      @ St. Francis* (L 26-21)
October 6              St. Paul* (W 25-11)
October 13           @ Crespi* (W 45-28)
October 20           Paraclete* (W 36-7)
October 29           @ Cathedral* 
(* denotes Angelus League game)