Cub Football - Loyola seeks seventh CIF football title on Saturday - Game preview
LOYOLA MAKES THIRTEENTH APPEARANCE IN CIF CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AT HOME ON SATURDAY - TITLE CONTEST OPPONENT PREVIEW
In the most incredible turnaround season in Cub Football annals, Loyola has a chance to put an exclamation point on a campaign that saw it enter the playoffs with a 3-6 record and fifth place finish in the ultra competitive Mission League. The Cubs (6-6) will host Division 4 number four seed San Juan Capistrano San Juan Hills (10-3) on Saturday at Smith Field on campus.
Additional stands were erected Monday to accommodate what is anticipated to be the largest crowd to attend a game at Smith Field since Loyola began playing its home games on campus in 2015. San Juan Hills fought a losing battle with Southern Section administrators to force the game to be played at a different venue.
The excitement generated by the Cubs’ improbable explosion in the D-4 playoffs, which has seen them soundly defeat number three seed Palos Verdes (7-0), Villa Park (45-28), and number two seed Camarillo (31-14), is off the charts.
Under the leadership of first year head coach DREW CASANI ‘91 and his outstanding staff, Loyola has shocked the prep football world as it is on the doorstep of a seventh CIF championship campaign. A team that played formidable, talented foes in every game, save for its season opening opponent, learned how to play consistently tough football in the process despite some missteps on the learning curve.
A program’s success is largely dependent on the culture established by the head coach, and it is clear that Casani and his staff have made great strides in that all important component. The Cubs are peaking at the perfect time as they prepare for their toughest playoff adversary in Saturday’s title tilt.
The championship game will be the thirteenth Loyola has played in since 1945. The Cubs won CIF AAAA/Division I titles in 1962, 1963, 1975, 1990, 2003 and 2005, and were runners- up in 1945, 1964, 1992, 1995, 1996 and 2000. The battle with San Juan Hills on Saturday could result in Loyola’s seventh CIF Southern Section football championship. And it would certainly be an against all odds accomplishment for the ages.
A LOOK AT THE SAN JUAN HILLS STALLIONS
San Juan Hills was not even in existence when Loyola won its most recent title in 2005. The school, located southeast of the town of San Juan Capistrano, opened in 2007. It did not take the Stallions football program long to get on the map. Head coach Robert Frith’s 2019 squad may be its best.
There is one player in particular that Loyola will need to account for to secure a victory. Washington State commit Joey Hobert (5-10, 180) is an electric athlete who has amassed a staggering 1,176 receiving yards with an average of 16.1 yards per catch. The son of former University of Washington and NFL quarterback Billy Joe Hobert, the senior star not only is one of California’s best receivers-he has caught 18 TD passes-but he is also a game break
ing punt and kick returner. He had 52 and 25-yard punt returns in the Stallions’ dramatic 29-28 overtime win over number one seed Paramount in the semifinals. Hobert had a hand in a 37-yard flea flicker play in overtime, which set up the game winning two-point conversion.
The triggerman of San Juan Hills’ offense is strong armed junior QB Hudson Jones (6-0, 180). The accurate signal caller has completed over 70% of his passes for 2,411 yards with an impressive average of 13 yards per completion. Jones has 32 aerial TDs on the season.
Senior running back Austin Hogan (6-1, 195) has gained 1,372 rushing yards to pace the San Juan Hills ground attack. He has scored 18 touchdowns and averages 5.5 yards per carry. The Stallions’ potent offense averages 34 points per game. In their three playoff victories San Juan Hills has scored an average of 40 points per contest.
The Stallions are in the title game not only because of their impressive offense. San Juan Hills also plays outstanding defense. Senior linebacker Jake Hall (6-1, 200) leads the Stallions with 100 tackles, including 68 solos. Big, bruising senior middle linebacker Bryce Crider (6-3, 227) has 86 tackles to his credit and sophomore corner Chase Schmidt (5-7, 165) has recorded 69 tackles.
San Juan Hills’ sack artists are among the best at their craft the Big Blue has faced this season. Utah commit, senior defensive end Tyler Wegis is a 6-6, 215 lb. terror off the edge. He has an astounding 36 tackles for loss and ten-and-half sacks. The blitz-happy San Juan Hills stop unit also features fiery junior defensive tackle Elliott Degroote (6-2, 245) and tough senior linebacker Jonah Johnson (6-1, 220).
Hobert’s exploits are not limited to offense and special teams. He leads San Juan Hills’ secondary with four of the squad’s 13 interceptions.
OUTLOOK
Paramount held the Stallions to 79 rushing yards (2.7 yards per carry). Loyola’s ‘Wolfpack’ defense cannot allow the San Juan Hills to run with success. In their three losses, the Stallions were held to net three rushing yards (13 carries, 3 yards, 0.2 yards per carry) by Orange Lutheran, 106 rushing yards (35 carries, 106 yards, 3.0 yards per carry) by Edison and 22 yards (18 carries, 22 yards, 1.2 yards per carry) by Tesoro.
The Cubs need to have their eye on Hobert on every play of the contest, on both sides of the ball as well as special teams. They cannot allow one of the state’s best players to take over the game. The Big Blue offense must find a way to take advantage of the Sea View League champions’ frequent blitzes.
If Loyola can score points as it has the last two weeks (45 vs. Villa Park and 31 vs. Camarillo), it should be in good shape. The offensive line must continue its stellar play.
The two teams have no common opponent, but in comparing scores of games that involved teams which played foes by which indirect comparisons could be made, only one such analysis favors the Cubs.
The Stallions beat Temecula Great Oak, 35-7, in a non-league contest. Villa Park defeated Great Oak 39-8 in the first round of the playoffs, and Loyola routed Villa Park, 45-28 in the quarterfinals. That indirect comparison favors the Big Blue by 20 points. The CalPreps computer picks San Juan Hills to win 22-21.
The title game promises to be a tightly contested battle royale.
Saturday’s game is the first competition between the schools on the gridiron.
LOYOLA’S HISTORY IN TWELVE CIF FINALS
This year marks the first time Loyola has played a CIF championship game in any division other than the top circuit (Large Schools in the ‘40s, AAAA IN THE ‘60s and ‘70s and Division I in the ‘90s and first decade of the new millennium).
Here is a list of every CIF championship game, and the outcome of the twelve finals’ appearances the Cubs have made:
1946 - Alhambra 7, LOYOLA 6
1962 - LOYOLA, 14, Anaheim 3
1963 - LOYOLA 21, El Rancho 0
1964 - Whittier 21, LOYOLA 14
1975 - LOYOLA 14, St. Paul 13
1990 - LOYOLA 24, Quartz Hill 14
1992 - Bishop Amat 7, LOYOLA 3
1995 - Bishop Amat 14, LOYOLA 10
1996 - Mater Dei 17, LOYOLA 10
2000 - L. B. Poly 16, LOYOLA 13 (OT)
2003 - LOYOLA 21, L.B. Poly 17
2005 - LOYOLA 49, Esperanza 42
The 1962 Loyola team (12-0) was ranked second in the nation at the conclusion of the season, the 1975 squad (13-0) was crowned National High School Champions, and the 2000 team (12-2) was ranked 15th in the nation after a heartbreaking overtime loss to L.B. Poly in the title game at Anaheim Stadium.
It is a truly a special honor for the Cubs to represent Loyola in the CIF Southern Section championship contest.
In the most incredible turnaround season in Cub Football annals, Loyola has a chance to put an exclamation point on a campaign that saw it enter the playoffs with a 3-6 record and fifth place finish in the ultra competitive Mission League. The Cubs (6-6) will host Division 4 number four seed San Juan Capistrano San Juan Hills (10-3) on Saturday at Smith Field on campus.
Additional stands were erected Monday to accommodate what is anticipated to be the largest crowd to attend a game at Smith Field since Loyola began playing its home games on campus in 2015. San Juan Hills fought a losing battle with Southern Section administrators to force the game to be played at a different venue.
The excitement generated by the Cubs’ improbable explosion in the D-4 playoffs, which has seen them soundly defeat number three seed Palos Verdes (7-0), Villa Park (45-28), and number two seed Camarillo (31-14), is off the charts.
Under the leadership of first year head coach DREW CASANI ‘91 and his outstanding staff, Loyola has shocked the prep football world as it is on the doorstep of a seventh CIF championship campaign. A team that played formidable, talented foes in every game, save for its season opening opponent, learned how to play consistently tough football in the process despite some missteps on the learning curve.
A program’s success is largely dependent on the culture established by the head coach, and it is clear that Casani and his staff have made great strides in that all important component. The Cubs are peaking at the perfect time as they prepare for their toughest playoff adversary in Saturday’s title tilt.
The championship game will be the thirteenth Loyola has played in since 1945. The Cubs won CIF AAAA/Division I titles in 1962, 1963, 1975, 1990, 2003 and 2005, and were runners- up in 1945, 1964, 1992, 1995, 1996 and 2000. The battle with San Juan Hills on Saturday could result in Loyola’s seventh CIF Southern Section football championship. And it would certainly be an against all odds accomplishment for the ages.
A LOOK AT THE SAN JUAN HILLS STALLIONS
San Juan Hills was not even in existence when Loyola won its most recent title in 2005. The school, located southeast of the town of San Juan Capistrano, opened in 2007. It did not take the Stallions football program long to get on the map. Head coach Robert Frith’s 2019 squad may be its best.
There is one player in particular that Loyola will need to account for to secure a victory. Washington State commit Joey Hobert (5-10, 180) is an electric athlete who has amassed a staggering 1,176 receiving yards with an average of 16.1 yards per catch. The son of former University of Washington and NFL quarterback Billy Joe Hobert, the senior star not only is one of California’s best receivers-he has caught 18 TD passes-but he is also a game break
ing punt and kick returner. He had 52 and 25-yard punt returns in the Stallions’ dramatic 29-28 overtime win over number one seed Paramount in the semifinals. Hobert had a hand in a 37-yard flea flicker play in overtime, which set up the game winning two-point conversion.
The triggerman of San Juan Hills’ offense is strong armed junior QB Hudson Jones (6-0, 180). The accurate signal caller has completed over 70% of his passes for 2,411 yards with an impressive average of 13 yards per completion. Jones has 32 aerial TDs on the season.
Senior running back Austin Hogan (6-1, 195) has gained 1,372 rushing yards to pace the San Juan Hills ground attack. He has scored 18 touchdowns and averages 5.5 yards per carry. The Stallions’ potent offense averages 34 points per game. In their three playoff victories San Juan Hills has scored an average of 40 points per contest.
The Stallions are in the title game not only because of their impressive offense. San Juan Hills also plays outstanding defense. Senior linebacker Jake Hall (6-1, 200) leads the Stallions with 100 tackles, including 68 solos. Big, bruising senior middle linebacker Bryce Crider (6-3, 227) has 86 tackles to his credit and sophomore corner Chase Schmidt (5-7, 165) has recorded 69 tackles.
San Juan Hills’ sack artists are among the best at their craft the Big Blue has faced this season. Utah commit, senior defensive end Tyler Wegis is a 6-6, 215 lb. terror off the edge. He has an astounding 36 tackles for loss and ten-and-half sacks. The blitz-happy San Juan Hills stop unit also features fiery junior defensive tackle Elliott Degroote (6-2, 245) and tough senior linebacker Jonah Johnson (6-1, 220).
Hobert’s exploits are not limited to offense and special teams. He leads San Juan Hills’ secondary with four of the squad’s 13 interceptions.
OUTLOOK
Paramount held the Stallions to 79 rushing yards (2.7 yards per carry). Loyola’s ‘Wolfpack’ defense cannot allow the San Juan Hills to run with success. In their three losses, the Stallions were held to net three rushing yards (13 carries, 3 yards, 0.2 yards per carry) by Orange Lutheran, 106 rushing yards (35 carries, 106 yards, 3.0 yards per carry) by Edison and 22 yards (18 carries, 22 yards, 1.2 yards per carry) by Tesoro.
The Cubs need to have their eye on Hobert on every play of the contest, on both sides of the ball as well as special teams. They cannot allow one of the state’s best players to take over the game. The Big Blue offense must find a way to take advantage of the Sea View League champions’ frequent blitzes.
If Loyola can score points as it has the last two weeks (45 vs. Villa Park and 31 vs. Camarillo), it should be in good shape. The offensive line must continue its stellar play.
The two teams have no common opponent, but in comparing scores of games that involved teams which played foes by which indirect comparisons could be made, only one such analysis favors the Cubs.
The Stallions beat Temecula Great Oak, 35-7, in a non-league contest. Villa Park defeated Great Oak 39-8 in the first round of the playoffs, and Loyola routed Villa Park, 45-28 in the quarterfinals. That indirect comparison favors the Big Blue by 20 points. The CalPreps computer picks San Juan Hills to win 22-21.
The title game promises to be a tightly contested battle royale.
Saturday’s game is the first competition between the schools on the gridiron.
LOYOLA’S HISTORY IN TWELVE CIF FINALS
This year marks the first time Loyola has played a CIF championship game in any division other than the top circuit (Large Schools in the ‘40s, AAAA IN THE ‘60s and ‘70s and Division I in the ‘90s and first decade of the new millennium).
Here is a list of every CIF championship game, and the outcome of the twelve finals’ appearances the Cubs have made:
1946 - Alhambra 7, LOYOLA 6
1962 - LOYOLA, 14, Anaheim 3
1963 - LOYOLA 21, El Rancho 0
1964 - Whittier 21, LOYOLA 14
1975 - LOYOLA 14, St. Paul 13
1990 - LOYOLA 24, Quartz Hill 14
1992 - Bishop Amat 7, LOYOLA 3
1995 - Bishop Amat 14, LOYOLA 10
1996 - Mater Dei 17, LOYOLA 10
2000 - L. B. Poly 16, LOYOLA 13 (OT)
2003 - LOYOLA 21, L.B. Poly 17
2005 - LOYOLA 49, Esperanza 42
The 1962 Loyola team (12-0) was ranked second in the nation at the conclusion of the season, the 1975 squad (13-0) was crowned National High School Champions, and the 2000 team (12-2) was ranked 15th in the nation after a heartbreaking overtime loss to L.B. Poly in the title game at Anaheim Stadium.
It is a truly a special honor for the Cubs to represent Loyola in the CIF Southern Section championship contest.
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