October 1, 2022

Cub Football - Loyola wins Angelus League opener against St. Paul

LOYOLA TAKES DOWN ST. PAUL 24-14 IN FIRST LEAGUE GAME
Loyola travelled to Santa Fe Springs on Friday night to play longtime rival St. Paul in the Angelus League opener, and the Cubs came away with a 24-14 victory in a contest that was important for both teams in terms of potential playoff participation.

A perfectly executed fake punt just before the end of the third quarter in which Loyola senior captain ZACH BOWLES raced 42 yards for a first down, with the scored tied 14-14, may have been the play of the contest, as it set up junior MARK HYAN’s 29-yard field goal to give the Cubs a 17-14 lead with 11:09 remaining in the game.

Loyola drove 47 yards on seven plays, scoring on a two-yard JON BAUTISTA run with 4:44 left in the fourth quarter to go up 24-14, effectively putting the game out of reach.

St. Paul was hindered by the absence of their 6’ 3” quarterback who had been suspended during the week before the conference opener. The Swordsmen, who had been a fairly average rushing team, were forced to run the ball with an inexperienced quarterback behind center. Often lining up with a full house backfield harkening back to the Swordsmen’s days of yore, St. Paul pounded the ball effectively all night with power and isolation plays to the tune of 292 rushing yards.

The Swordsmen scored on a 44-yard run, capping a five-play, 81-yard opening drive with 8:51 left in the first quarter.

The Cubs answered immediately, covering 71 yards on 13 plays, scoring on a beautiful 18-yard dart from senior quarterback XAVIER RICE to senior wide receiver KYLE SOMERVILLE at the 1:59 mark of the first quarter. HYAN’s PAT kick tied the score 7-7. RICE was five of five passing for 43 yards on the drive. Pass protection by the Big Blue offensive line was good throughout the contest.

Loyola senior WILKE WILES raced 53 yards with a St. Paul punt to set the Cubs up at the hosts’ 23 yard line. The Cubs scored on a one-yard run by junior JUSTIN SMITH to take a 14-7 lead with 3:17 left in the first half.

Loyola opened the second half with a dazzling kickoff return to the Swordsmen 47 yard line by WILES. On the first play from scrimmage RICE completed his eighth of nine passes for 12 yards, but the Cub momentum was halted as the receiver had the ball stripped, and St. Paul took possession on its 32 yard line.

Seventeen plays later the Swordsmen tied the score, 14-14, on a three yard run. Thereafter, the successful Loyola fake punt play set the stage for the Cubs’ win.

RICE had his best passing performance of the season as he completed 13 of 17 (76%) of his throws for 104 yards and a touchdown.

Among the defensive standouts were inside linebacker ZACH BOWLES, senior lineman KEENAN TARBET, junior lineman ISAIAH SANDERS and junior outside linebacker SCOTT TAYLOR.  

Junior offensive linemen CHAMP WESTBROOKS and RYAN TURK saw substantial action on the defensive line, as did senior offensive lineman JACK PARIS.

Senior LEIGHTON LINE, who returned to the Cub lair after spending two years in Texas following his freshman year at Loyola, ended his sit-out period, playing on both sides of the line.

There were a number of positive takeaways from Loyola’s first Angelus League triumph, the most noteworthy of which was the improvement in the aerial attack, and the increased utilization of two-way players.

If the Cubs continue their ascent they will be in the hunt to do damage in the league title race.

Loyola (2-4, 1-0) hosts Encino Crespi Carmelite (0-6, 0-1) next Friday, October 7, at Smith Field. HOW LOYOLA’S

HOW ANGELUS LEAGUE OPPONENTS FARED IN CONFERENCE OPENERS
CATHEDRAL 40, CRESPI 14
The Phantoms (5-1, 1-0) continue to look like title contenders with rout in Encino against the winless Celts (0-6, 0-1).

ST. FRANCIS 45, PARACLETE 14
The Golden Knights (3-4, 1-0) exorcised the Spirits (0-6, 0-1) in La Canada, and are looking like a potential league champion.