CUB FOOTBALL - Loyola renews old rivalry on Saturday against St. Francis - tennis courts and Pittsburgh Steelers
LOYOLA PLAYS OLD RIVAL ST. FRANCIS AT PIUS X-ST. MATTHIAS ON SATURDAY
The Cubs dropped five spots to number 25 in both the CalPreps and Max Preps California rankings following a mistake-filled opener in which they posted a late game non-league, 28-24, road victory over Playa del Rey St. Bernard. The win was secured by an epic 90-yard, seven play, two minute drive which culminated with a 23-yard TD pass from QB BRAYDEN ZERMENO to receiver PETER VANIS with just 33 seconds remaining in the contest.
The drop in the state rankings was not a surprise as Loyola’s first game of the delayed and shortened 2020 season did not exactly sync with preseason expectations. Five turnovers, a failure to score in the red zone on several forays deep into Vikings’ territory and a handful of defensive breakdowns were not conducive to garnering high accolades. But St. Bernard, which came into the contest with a game under its belt, proved a far superior team than its 2019 version, which the Big Blue defeated, 38-0.
An influx of more than a few big time players into the Vikings’ program upon the arrival of a first year head coach who was known to secure boat loads of talent at his former job as the longtime head man at Narbonne, exponentially improved a program that is clearly on the rise. To St. Bernard’s credit they came to play. Some of Loyola’s uneven performance was probably attributable to the fact that its first scheduled game against Upland on March 19 was canceled because of COVID-19 issues.
The old bromide that a team typically improves the most from its first to second game will likely prove true for the talented Cubs, who commence their quest to win the Angelus League championship on Saturday, April 3, at 7:00 p.m. at Pius X-St. Matthias in Downey. Loyola, which is the home team, secured the Downey venue because Smith Field is currently dedicated to track, thus making the installation of stands over the track surface impossible.
A LOOK AT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS
St. Francis is 2-1, with a last minute, 38-35, road win over Manhattan Beach Mira Costa in its first outing; a close, 23-19, setback to La Verne Damien in game two; and a second come from behind victory, fueled by a 34-point second half outburst against Garces Memorial in Bakersfield last Saturday which secured a 48-42 conquest of the Rams.
The Golden Knights possess a potent “pick your poison” offense. In his first three starts, 6’ 6”, 205 pound sophomore quarterback Jack Jacobs is averaging 266 passing yards per outing with a 60 per cent completion rate and an impressive stat of just under 14 yards per completion.
Running back Max Garrison, Jr. (5-10, 185) is the real deal. The ultra fast junior is a hard runner who can take it to the house in the blink of an eye. Against Garces Memorial on Saturday the major college recruit put on a rushing clinic to the tune of 239 yards on 39 carries (6.7 yards per carry).
St. Francis senior wide receiver Bryson Reeves (6-2, 195), Jacobs’ favorite target, combines impressive hands, speed and strength. He averages 117 receiving yards per game.
The Golden Knights are huge and strong up front on both sides of the ball with multiple linemen tipping the scales at over 300 pounds. Freshman line phenom Phillip Ocon (6-4, 340) often lines up at fullback in the St. Francis offensive backfield.
Clearly, Loyola’s ‘Wolfpack’ defense cannot key on either the St. Francis rushing attack or its aerial game as both have big play capabilities. The Golden Knights are averaging 33 points per contest.
The St. Francis defense is paced by senior linebacker Matthew Buntich, who leads the stop unit with 17 tackles; senior defensive lineman Evan Jernegan (6-2, 210) (14 tackles, 5 sacks); and junior linebacker Myles Shannon (5-11, 180) (13 tackles). Jernegan doubles as a sure handed tight end.
GAME ANALYSIS
A good bet is that the Golden Knights will attempt to run the ball down Loyola’s throat behind it’s big, powerful offensive line to set up play action passes as the game progresses. Then again, St. Francis may try to attack early with its prolific aerial arsenal. Either way, the Cub ‘Wolfpack’ will have its hands full with a balanced offensive attack.
Loyola will need to put points on the scoreboard early and often and consistently get the ball into the hands of its big playmakers. On the defensive side, the Big Blue must find a way to limit the visitors’ big plays.
The contest could end up being a shoot out. The Cub defense will be charged with the challenging task of preventing the Golden Knights from reaching their 33-points per game average.
One thing is certain, to secure its first league win Loyola must eliminate the turnovers which plagued it in its first game and take advantage of every offensive possession.
THE LOYOLA - ST. FRANCIS SERIES - Tennis courts and Pittsburgh Steelers
Saturday’s game marks the renewal of an intense rivalry between the Jesuit prep school at 1901 Venice Boulevard and the Franciscan high school located in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Loyola first played St. Francis in a preseason scrimmage in 1963. While it did not count in the win-loss ledger, it was nonetheless a hard hitting affair according to the gray beards who participated in it. Since then no love has been lost between the schools on the gridiron.
The Cubs went on to win a second consecutive CIF AAAA championship and undefeated record that season, and the Golden Knights won the CIF AAA title. Both championship games were played on the same day at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Loyola (12-0) was ranked the number two team in the nation after downing then powerhouse El Rancho, 21-0, in the AAAA championship contest.
The Cubs joined the newly formed Del Rey League in 1968 and lost, 13-6, to St. Francis in the rivals’ inaugural game. Since then, Loyola and the Golden Knights played 25 additional times. The Cubs hold a 17–8-1 overall record against St. Francis. By all accounts, there was an intense rivalry between the two schools ever since their first meeting.
The last time the Big Blue visited the Golden Knights’ home field in La Canada was in 2007 for a non-league tilt, with Loyola eking out a 21-20 victory. The schools played as members of the Del Rey League from 1968 though 1989. The Cubs won the final conference battle in 1988 by a score of 49-0.
Arguably the most memorable game in the rivalry’s history was played before an overflow, standing-room-only crowd at St. Francis in the ninth contest of the 1977 campaign. The Golden Knights were highly ranked, as was Loyola. Just like this year, St. Francis had a marquee running back in Henry Bell. In those days, there were tennis courts just to the south of the St. Francis playing field, which visiting teams used as their pre-game and halftime meeting place.
After the Cubs completed their pre-game warm ups, they entered the tennis court area to receive final pre-game instructions. To the astonishment of the team, every player was instructed to take off his jersey. Immediately thereafter each team member was presented with a Pittsburgh Steeler jersey-the NFL’s “Steel Curtain” Pittsburgh defense was the talk of the nation back in those days.
Wearing the fearsome Pittsburgh Steeler jerseys, Loyola stormed onto to the field for the opening kickoff. In one of the fiercest, unrelenting defensive performances in Cub Football annals, the ‘Wolfpack’ completely shut down Bell and the Golden Knights’ prolific offense en route to a 7-0 triumph.
The victory secured the 1977 Del Rey League title for Loyola, which finished the season with a heartbreaking loss in the CIF Big Five Conference semifinals. Highly talented All-CIF senior quarterback ANDY HENDERSON suffered a severe knee injury on the second play of the semifinal playoff game, which unfortunately prevented the Cubs from advancing to the CIF championship contest. Henderson is among the toughest and most gifted players to ever compete for the Big Blue.
So what was the story behind the Steeler jerseys?
Motion picture executive Charles Maguire, who had attended Fordham University, a Jesuit university in New York City, was the father of 1974 Cub lineman DENNIS MAGUIRE, ’75 and JOHN MAGUIRE ‘76, a lineman on Loyola’s 1975 CIF AAAA/National Champion team. Charles, who was an avid Cub Football supporter, had just served as the executive producer of the motion picture “Heaven Can Wait” starring Warren Beatty. In the movie the Los Angeles Rams, quarterbacked by Beatty’s character, played a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Charles had access to the Steeler uniforms used in the movie and asked the Cub coaching staff if they had a use for the uniforms, and the rest is history.
GAME STREAM
It is anticipated that Saturday’s game will be live-streamed. Continue to check the Loyola Athletics and Loyola Football Twitter posts for updates. Only family members of players and coaches’ families will be allowed to attend the contest.
LOYOLA GRIDIRON VANGUARD FACEBOOK
Be sure to follow Loyola Gridiron Vanguard’s postings on its FaceBook page. There is a lot of great information and history about the program. Special recognition is in order for Vanguard President John Estrada for his work on the FaceBook presentations.
SUPPORT CUB FOOTBALL - JOIN THE LOYOLA GRIDIRON VANGUARD
Cub Football is more than just a sport. It’s a lifelong brotherhood - a program with a solid foundation deeply rooted in loyalty, dedication and commitment. The Vanguard is a multi-generational group of players, alums, family and friends of the program focused on restoring Loyola Football to greatness - and doing so the Loyola Way. We need you in our ranks! Join the Loyola Gridiron Vanguard today. Visit: http://www.loyolagridironvanguard.com/membership to learn more.
The Cubs dropped five spots to number 25 in both the CalPreps and Max Preps California rankings following a mistake-filled opener in which they posted a late game non-league, 28-24, road victory over Playa del Rey St. Bernard. The win was secured by an epic 90-yard, seven play, two minute drive which culminated with a 23-yard TD pass from QB BRAYDEN ZERMENO to receiver PETER VANIS with just 33 seconds remaining in the contest.
The drop in the state rankings was not a surprise as Loyola’s first game of the delayed and shortened 2020 season did not exactly sync with preseason expectations. Five turnovers, a failure to score in the red zone on several forays deep into Vikings’ territory and a handful of defensive breakdowns were not conducive to garnering high accolades. But St. Bernard, which came into the contest with a game under its belt, proved a far superior team than its 2019 version, which the Big Blue defeated, 38-0.
An influx of more than a few big time players into the Vikings’ program upon the arrival of a first year head coach who was known to secure boat loads of talent at his former job as the longtime head man at Narbonne, exponentially improved a program that is clearly on the rise. To St. Bernard’s credit they came to play. Some of Loyola’s uneven performance was probably attributable to the fact that its first scheduled game against Upland on March 19 was canceled because of COVID-19 issues.
The old bromide that a team typically improves the most from its first to second game will likely prove true for the talented Cubs, who commence their quest to win the Angelus League championship on Saturday, April 3, at 7:00 p.m. at Pius X-St. Matthias in Downey. Loyola, which is the home team, secured the Downey venue because Smith Field is currently dedicated to track, thus making the installation of stands over the track surface impossible.
A LOOK AT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS
St. Francis is 2-1, with a last minute, 38-35, road win over Manhattan Beach Mira Costa in its first outing; a close, 23-19, setback to La Verne Damien in game two; and a second come from behind victory, fueled by a 34-point second half outburst against Garces Memorial in Bakersfield last Saturday which secured a 48-42 conquest of the Rams.
The Golden Knights possess a potent “pick your poison” offense. In his first three starts, 6’ 6”, 205 pound sophomore quarterback Jack Jacobs is averaging 266 passing yards per outing with a 60 per cent completion rate and an impressive stat of just under 14 yards per completion.
Running back Max Garrison, Jr. (5-10, 185) is the real deal. The ultra fast junior is a hard runner who can take it to the house in the blink of an eye. Against Garces Memorial on Saturday the major college recruit put on a rushing clinic to the tune of 239 yards on 39 carries (6.7 yards per carry).
St. Francis senior wide receiver Bryson Reeves (6-2, 195), Jacobs’ favorite target, combines impressive hands, speed and strength. He averages 117 receiving yards per game.
The Golden Knights are huge and strong up front on both sides of the ball with multiple linemen tipping the scales at over 300 pounds. Freshman line phenom Phillip Ocon (6-4, 340) often lines up at fullback in the St. Francis offensive backfield.
Clearly, Loyola’s ‘Wolfpack’ defense cannot key on either the St. Francis rushing attack or its aerial game as both have big play capabilities. The Golden Knights are averaging 33 points per contest.
The St. Francis defense is paced by senior linebacker Matthew Buntich, who leads the stop unit with 17 tackles; senior defensive lineman Evan Jernegan (6-2, 210) (14 tackles, 5 sacks); and junior linebacker Myles Shannon (5-11, 180) (13 tackles). Jernegan doubles as a sure handed tight end.
GAME ANALYSIS
A good bet is that the Golden Knights will attempt to run the ball down Loyola’s throat behind it’s big, powerful offensive line to set up play action passes as the game progresses. Then again, St. Francis may try to attack early with its prolific aerial arsenal. Either way, the Cub ‘Wolfpack’ will have its hands full with a balanced offensive attack.
Loyola will need to put points on the scoreboard early and often and consistently get the ball into the hands of its big playmakers. On the defensive side, the Big Blue must find a way to limit the visitors’ big plays.
The contest could end up being a shoot out. The Cub defense will be charged with the challenging task of preventing the Golden Knights from reaching their 33-points per game average.
One thing is certain, to secure its first league win Loyola must eliminate the turnovers which plagued it in its first game and take advantage of every offensive possession.
THE LOYOLA - ST. FRANCIS SERIES - Tennis courts and Pittsburgh Steelers
Saturday’s game marks the renewal of an intense rivalry between the Jesuit prep school at 1901 Venice Boulevard and the Franciscan high school located in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Loyola first played St. Francis in a preseason scrimmage in 1963. While it did not count in the win-loss ledger, it was nonetheless a hard hitting affair according to the gray beards who participated in it. Since then no love has been lost between the schools on the gridiron.
The Cubs went on to win a second consecutive CIF AAAA championship and undefeated record that season, and the Golden Knights won the CIF AAA title. Both championship games were played on the same day at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Loyola (12-0) was ranked the number two team in the nation after downing then powerhouse El Rancho, 21-0, in the AAAA championship contest.
The Cubs joined the newly formed Del Rey League in 1968 and lost, 13-6, to St. Francis in the rivals’ inaugural game. Since then, Loyola and the Golden Knights played 25 additional times. The Cubs hold a 17–8-1 overall record against St. Francis. By all accounts, there was an intense rivalry between the two schools ever since their first meeting.
The last time the Big Blue visited the Golden Knights’ home field in La Canada was in 2007 for a non-league tilt, with Loyola eking out a 21-20 victory. The schools played as members of the Del Rey League from 1968 though 1989. The Cubs won the final conference battle in 1988 by a score of 49-0.
Arguably the most memorable game in the rivalry’s history was played before an overflow, standing-room-only crowd at St. Francis in the ninth contest of the 1977 campaign. The Golden Knights were highly ranked, as was Loyola. Just like this year, St. Francis had a marquee running back in Henry Bell. In those days, there were tennis courts just to the south of the St. Francis playing field, which visiting teams used as their pre-game and halftime meeting place.
After the Cubs completed their pre-game warm ups, they entered the tennis court area to receive final pre-game instructions. To the astonishment of the team, every player was instructed to take off his jersey. Immediately thereafter each team member was presented with a Pittsburgh Steeler jersey-the NFL’s “Steel Curtain” Pittsburgh defense was the talk of the nation back in those days.
Wearing the fearsome Pittsburgh Steeler jerseys, Loyola stormed onto to the field for the opening kickoff. In one of the fiercest, unrelenting defensive performances in Cub Football annals, the ‘Wolfpack’ completely shut down Bell and the Golden Knights’ prolific offense en route to a 7-0 triumph.
The victory secured the 1977 Del Rey League title for Loyola, which finished the season with a heartbreaking loss in the CIF Big Five Conference semifinals. Highly talented All-CIF senior quarterback ANDY HENDERSON suffered a severe knee injury on the second play of the semifinal playoff game, which unfortunately prevented the Cubs from advancing to the CIF championship contest. Henderson is among the toughest and most gifted players to ever compete for the Big Blue.
So what was the story behind the Steeler jerseys?
Motion picture executive Charles Maguire, who had attended Fordham University, a Jesuit university in New York City, was the father of 1974 Cub lineman DENNIS MAGUIRE, ’75 and JOHN MAGUIRE ‘76, a lineman on Loyola’s 1975 CIF AAAA/National Champion team. Charles, who was an avid Cub Football supporter, had just served as the executive producer of the motion picture “Heaven Can Wait” starring Warren Beatty. In the movie the Los Angeles Rams, quarterbacked by Beatty’s character, played a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Charles had access to the Steeler uniforms used in the movie and asked the Cub coaching staff if they had a use for the uniforms, and the rest is history.
GAME STREAM
It is anticipated that Saturday’s game will be live-streamed. Continue to check the Loyola Athletics and Loyola Football Twitter posts for updates. Only family members of players and coaches’ families will be allowed to attend the contest.
LOYOLA GRIDIRON VANGUARD FACEBOOK
Be sure to follow Loyola Gridiron Vanguard’s postings on its FaceBook page. There is a lot of great information and history about the program. Special recognition is in order for Vanguard President John Estrada for his work on the FaceBook presentations.
SUPPORT CUB FOOTBALL - JOIN THE LOYOLA GRIDIRON VANGUARD
Cub Football is more than just a sport. It’s a lifelong brotherhood - a program with a solid foundation deeply rooted in loyalty, dedication and commitment. The Vanguard is a multi-generational group of players, alums, family and friends of the program focused on restoring Loyola Football to greatness - and doing so the Loyola Way. We need you in our ranks! Join the Loyola Gridiron Vanguard today. Visit: http://www.loyolagridironvanguard.com/membership to learn more.
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