Cub Football - Loyola rises on all fronts in landslide 62-21 victory over Culver City
LOYOLA BREAKS RECORD FOR MOST POINTS SCORED IN DOMINATING WIN
More than a few Cub Football supporters were anticipating a tough go of it against a Culver City squad that came into the non-league contest at Smith Field on Friday with a nearly 90 % victory record over the past four seasons, including a CIF title and state regional playoff run. The Centaurs were coming off a 31-0 shut out of West Torrance in their opener and had an impressive array of weaponry at their disposal.
But the main reason for trepidation among Loyola’s faithful before the Cubs went to battle against Culver City was the slew of injuries that had befallen the Big Blue, most notable among them the season-ending loss of starting junior QB XAVIER RICE at Damien a week ago.
A confluence of outstanding coaching and play-calling, great focus and execution on both sides of the ball and a level of competition that evoked memories of the physical Cub ethos of days of yore culminated in an emphatic triumph that will certainly go down as one of the most noteworthy in Loyola annals and undoubtedly will serve as a springboard for great things to come.
There were many storylines which emanated from Friday’s victory, but none was more captivating than the play of senior quarterback JOE TATUM. After losing the starting signal calling competition to RICE, TATUM patiently awaited the opportunity which presented itself in his first varsity start against the Centaurs. In a poised, focused performance behind center, TATUM was brilliant. He completed 17 of 20 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns, a stat line that ranks among the best in recent memory.
Behind the work of an improving offensive line, the Cubs rolled up nearly 500 yards of total offense. The onslaught began on the first drive of the game. Loyola drove 69 yards in seven plays, capped by a 12-yard run by senior talkback TAHJ OWENS at the 10:28 mark of the first quarter.
After the Cub ‘Wolfpack’ defense forced a three-and-out on the Centaurs’ first offensive series Loyola put another impressive drive together, marching 38 yards to pay dirt with OWENS carrying the ball across the goal line from two yards out with 4:01 left in the first quarter. For all intents and purposes the unanticipated rout was on.
Culver City drove 70 yards, scoring on a 16-yard pass at the 9:29 mark of the second quarter to make the score 13-7 in favor of the Cubs. After a 33-yard sprint by OWENS, the talented All-CIF back finished Loyola’s fifth offensive drive with a four-yard TD jaunt with 7:27 left in the first half to make the score 19-7.
The Centaurs answered with an 11-play 65-yard drive, capped by a four-yard pass that narrowed the score to 19-14. The Cubs wasted no time adding to their point total. Junior BAYLIN BROOKS took the ensuing kickoff back 72 yards. An illegal procedure penalty on their first play put the Cubs at the Culver City 31-yard line from which Owens raced into the end zone on the next play, upping Loyola’s lead to 26-14 with 3:42 left in the second quarter.
After the ‘Wolfpack’ defense forced another Centaur punt, Loyola mounted its most impressive offensive drive of the night, driving 80 yards in a minute and a half. Tatum completed a 30-yard touchdown pass to senior wideout JACOBY KELLY with 16 seconds left before halftime. OWENS
’ two-yard run added two points to put the Cubs up 34-14 at intermission.
Loyola’s domination continued in the second half. OWENS sprinted 42 yards for a touchdown at the 6:26 mark of the third quarter. Senior JACKSON SHEA’s PAT kick made the score 41-14. On the first play of the Cubs’ next possession TATUM threw a perfect pass to BROOKS for a 59-yard TD. SHEA’s PAT kick increased the Big Blue’s lead to 48-14 with 3:43 left in the third quarter.
Culver City scored its final TD of the contest on a 25-yard pass to finish a six-play, 71-yard drive with 1:21 remaining in the third stanza.
TATUM went to work again as he hooked up with VANIS on a fourth down pass play which capped a 46-yard drive at the 9:12 mark of the fourth quarter to make the score 55-21.
A short time later sophomore defensive back JAKE ARELLANO intercepted a Culver City pass and raced 60 yards for a pick six touchdown with 5:10 left in the contest. Arellano’s score allowed Loyola to break the program’s scoring record of 60 points which was set in 1998 against Alemany. SHEA’s PAT kick made the final score 62-21.
The runaway win was enabled by outstanding play on both sides of the ball. The contributors were many. Senior linebacker and team co-captain MATT SODL’s jarring hits continue to pace a defensive squad that will play a big role in coming Cub victories. Big Blue defenders were flying to the ball all night long.
TAHJ OWENS had yet another stellar outing, rushing for 186 yards on 23 carries (8.1ypc) and scoring five touchdowns.
With TATUM’s riveting performance and playmakers stepping up all over the field, Loyola is brimming with confidence as it prepares for its fourth non-league game against Cathedral at Smith Field next Friday.
Suffice to say, the Cubs took a major step up. The Loyola train is rolling.
More than a few Cub Football supporters were anticipating a tough go of it against a Culver City squad that came into the non-league contest at Smith Field on Friday with a nearly 90 % victory record over the past four seasons, including a CIF title and state regional playoff run. The Centaurs were coming off a 31-0 shut out of West Torrance in their opener and had an impressive array of weaponry at their disposal.
But the main reason for trepidation among Loyola’s faithful before the Cubs went to battle against Culver City was the slew of injuries that had befallen the Big Blue, most notable among them the season-ending loss of starting junior QB XAVIER RICE at Damien a week ago.
A confluence of outstanding coaching and play-calling, great focus and execution on both sides of the ball and a level of competition that evoked memories of the physical Cub ethos of days of yore culminated in an emphatic triumph that will certainly go down as one of the most noteworthy in Loyola annals and undoubtedly will serve as a springboard for great things to come.
There were many storylines which emanated from Friday’s victory, but none was more captivating than the play of senior quarterback JOE TATUM. After losing the starting signal calling competition to RICE, TATUM patiently awaited the opportunity which presented itself in his first varsity start against the Centaurs. In a poised, focused performance behind center, TATUM was brilliant. He completed 17 of 20 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns, a stat line that ranks among the best in recent memory.
Behind the work of an improving offensive line, the Cubs rolled up nearly 500 yards of total offense. The onslaught began on the first drive of the game. Loyola drove 69 yards in seven plays, capped by a 12-yard run by senior talkback TAHJ OWENS at the 10:28 mark of the first quarter.
After the Cub ‘Wolfpack’ defense forced a three-and-out on the Centaurs’ first offensive series Loyola put another impressive drive together, marching 38 yards to pay dirt with OWENS carrying the ball across the goal line from two yards out with 4:01 left in the first quarter. For all intents and purposes the unanticipated rout was on.
Culver City drove 70 yards, scoring on a 16-yard pass at the 9:29 mark of the second quarter to make the score 13-7 in favor of the Cubs. After a 33-yard sprint by OWENS, the talented All-CIF back finished Loyola’s fifth offensive drive with a four-yard TD jaunt with 7:27 left in the first half to make the score 19-7.
The Centaurs answered with an 11-play 65-yard drive, capped by a four-yard pass that narrowed the score to 19-14. The Cubs wasted no time adding to their point total. Junior BAYLIN BROOKS took the ensuing kickoff back 72 yards. An illegal procedure penalty on their first play put the Cubs at the Culver City 31-yard line from which Owens raced into the end zone on the next play, upping Loyola’s lead to 26-14 with 3:42 left in the second quarter.
After the ‘Wolfpack’ defense forced another Centaur punt, Loyola mounted its most impressive offensive drive of the night, driving 80 yards in a minute and a half. Tatum completed a 30-yard touchdown pass to senior wideout JACOBY KELLY with 16 seconds left before halftime. OWENS
’ two-yard run added two points to put the Cubs up 34-14 at intermission.
Loyola’s domination continued in the second half. OWENS sprinted 42 yards for a touchdown at the 6:26 mark of the third quarter. Senior JACKSON SHEA’s PAT kick made the score 41-14. On the first play of the Cubs’ next possession TATUM threw a perfect pass to BROOKS for a 59-yard TD. SHEA’s PAT kick increased the Big Blue’s lead to 48-14 with 3:43 left in the third quarter.
Culver City scored its final TD of the contest on a 25-yard pass to finish a six-play, 71-yard drive with 1:21 remaining in the third stanza.
TATUM went to work again as he hooked up with VANIS on a fourth down pass play which capped a 46-yard drive at the 9:12 mark of the fourth quarter to make the score 55-21.
A short time later sophomore defensive back JAKE ARELLANO intercepted a Culver City pass and raced 60 yards for a pick six touchdown with 5:10 left in the contest. Arellano’s score allowed Loyola to break the program’s scoring record of 60 points which was set in 1998 against Alemany. SHEA’s PAT kick made the final score 62-21.
The runaway win was enabled by outstanding play on both sides of the ball. The contributors were many. Senior linebacker and team co-captain MATT SODL’s jarring hits continue to pace a defensive squad that will play a big role in coming Cub victories. Big Blue defenders were flying to the ball all night long.
TAHJ OWENS had yet another stellar outing, rushing for 186 yards on 23 carries (8.1ypc) and scoring five touchdowns.
With TATUM’s riveting performance and playmakers stepping up all over the field, Loyola is brimming with confidence as it prepares for its fourth non-league game against Cathedral at Smith Field next Friday.
Suffice to say, the Cubs took a major step up. The Loyola train is rolling.
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