October 14, 2023

Cub Football - Loyola takes down Crespi 45-28 - Desi Valdes scores two special teams touchdowns

CUBS TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS IN 45-28 ROAD VICTORY OVER CRESPI CARMELITE
After taking a 31-7 lead into the locker room at halftime against Crespi Carmelite in Encino Friday night, Loyola's entire roster got to play virtually the entire second half en route to a 45-28 Angelus League victory which improved the Big Blue's Angelus League record to 2-1.

The Cubs scored on their first four offensive possessions of the game before booting their first punt late in the second quarter. On Loyola's first offensive play of the contest sophomore running back SEAN MORRIS raced 30 yards for a touchdown at the 10:41 mark of the first quarter. MARK HYAN's PAT kick gave the Cubs a 7-0 lead that they would not relinquish.

Junior QB THOMAS KYNAL threw a 40-yard pass to wide receiver KHALIL CUEVA on the first play of Loyola's second offensive series, and two plays later KNYAL connected with receiver DUKE GIARRAPUTO on an 11-yard scoring toss to cap a 47-yard drive. HYAN's conversion kick increased the Cubs' lead to 14-0 with 7:43 remaining in the first quarter. HYAN kicked a 22-yard field goal at the 1:43 mark of the first quarter to make the score 17-0. Thereafter, Loyola reserves began making appearances.

The Celts put together a 72-yard scoring drive with the TD coming on a 43-yard pass with 6:26 left in the second quarter, narrowing Crespi's deficit to ten points.

The Cubs answered with a four-play, 80 yard drive in which MORRIS carried the ball on every play, the last one being a 60-yard sprint to pay dirt to up Loyola's lead to 24-7.

With two seconds remaining in the first half the Celts lined up for a long distance field goal attempt. Cub safety JAKE ARELLANO blocked the kick, and Loyola safety DESI VALDES picked up the ball and raced 60 yards for a touchdown as time expired, upping the Big Blue's lead to 31-7.

VALDES struck again to open the second half with an explosive 80-yard kickoff return for a TD to put the Cubs ahead 38-7. On two consecutive plays VALDES ran for 140 yards and two TDs.

Loyola drove 63 yards on seven plays following a Crespi punt, scoring on a two-yard run by tailback JUSTIN SMITH. HYAN's kick increased the Cubs' lead to 45-7 with 4:43 left in the third quarter.

It was all Celts for the remainder of the contest. Crespi put together three TD drives of 52, 90 and 60 yards against Loyola's reserves, making the final score 45-28.

Behind solid blocking SEAN MORRIS had another outstanding game, finishing with 129 rushing yards on 10 carries (12.9 yards per carry).

OTHER ANGELUS LEAGUE ACTION
St. Francis broke open a tight game in the second half to beat Cathedral, 41-25, and St. Paul defeated Paraclete, 40-28. The latter game saw Paraclete's head coach get ejected before a fight broke out between the teams at the end of the contest, according to the Whittier Daily News. There could be player suspensions forthcoming.

St. Francis stands alone in first place in the Angelus League with a 3-0 conference record. Loyola and St. Paul are tied for second place with 2-1 records. Cathedral and Paraclete are tied for fourth in the league standings with 1-2 conference records and Crespi is in sixth place at 0-3.

The Cubs (3-5, 2-1) are still very much in the hunt for a CIF Southern Section playoff berth. Loyola's next two games against Paraclete (at home) and at Cathedral will be tough battles as each team will be fighting to keep alive its playoff hopes.

CUB SOPHOMORES WIN THIRD CONSECUTIVE LEAGUE GAME
Loyola's sophomore team under the direction of its all-Cub alumni staff headed, by ANTHONY HOLLY '87, has made great strides after playing five JV teams (manned by varsity reserves) on its non-league schedule. Loyola's soph squad is comprised solely of sophomores. Loyola defeated Crespi, 24-0, on Thursday after beating St. Francis, 31-13, and St. Paul, 31-8 in its first two conference outings.

Eleven players on the 26-man squad played most of the Crespi game on both sides of the ball. Quarterback BIN ROHMER threw TD passes to WR EVAN SANTOS and tight end AL SANFORD, and HOLDEN SMYSER ran for a score.

Among the two-way standouts lauded by Coach HOLLY were offensive tackles SILAS NUR and ZACH HARRISON, guards ANDREW HILTON and MATTHEW ADAMS, center MATT ALMENDAREZ, kicker JACOB KREINBRING and running back CADIN FETTERS. Defensive standouts included linebacker JACOB CAPETTA, DB AIDEN VAUGHN WOELFEL, and outside linebackers AARON STARBUCK and DEACON DYMTROW.  The sophs have completed league competition as Angelus League champions, as neither Paraclete nor Cathedral field sophomore/JV teams in conference play.

Loyola's freshman squad continues to impress. The Frosh blew out Newhall Hart, 42-0, on Thursday.

 

FORMER FOOTBALL STARS TO BE HONORED AT LOYOLA ALUMNI DINNER - REGISTER NOW
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 honored at Loyola's annual Alumni Dinner on November 24.

The deadline to register is October 27. Be sure to register now!! Spread the word. The Loyola website has registration information.

2023 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE/ RESULTS