CUB FOOTBALL - Loyola wins season opener
LOYOLA USES DRAMATIC LATE DRIVE TO DOWN ST. BERNARD 28-24 IN A TURNOVER PLAGUED CONTEST
Loyola’s ‘Wolfpack’ defense-in its best and most critical stand of the evening-forced St. Bernard to punt with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter on the Vikings’ penultimate offensive possession of Friday’s non-league game played at St. Bernard’s home field in Playa del Rey. Notwithstanding the stop unit getting the ball back for the Big Blue offense, things did not look good for the Cubs who were down 24-21.
Loyola’s previous offensive possession had ended with an interception at the Cubs’49-yard line. Most Big Blue fans figured that spelled the end as nine of Loyola’s previous 12 offensive possessions had ended in two fumbles, two interceptions, a missed field goal, two punts and two failed fourth down attempts.
When Loyola lined up at its 10-yard line it had 90 yards to cover in order to capture what at that juncture appeared an improbable against all odds chance for victory. The Cubs were faced fourth down and seven-yards-to go-at their 13-yard line. Senior quarterback BRAYDEN ZERMENO, facing a fierce rush, remained calm in the pocket before finding and completing a pass to junior wide receiver PETE VANIS for a first down to keep the last gasp drive alive.
On the following play, All-CIF junior running back TAHJ OWENS raced 35 yards up the middle. ZERMENO then found VANIS again, and the clutch junior receiver made a great catch and run to score the game-winning touchdown from 27 yards out with just 33 seconds left on the game clock. Thereafter, Loyola’s defense pinned its ears back in shutting down the Vikings’ desperate attempt to move down the field before the final gun.
The Cubs’ scintillating come-from-behind triumph will go down as among the best in the annals of Loyola’s all-time late game victories.
To be sure, the first game of the delayed 2020 campaign saw an uneven, inconsistent performance by the Cubs in all phases. That being said, the biggest take away from the dramatic win was that the Big Blue found the grit and resolve to secure a tough win. It is fair to expect Loyola to improve dramatically. The Cubs had an uncharacteristic five turnovers. The Vikings also turned the ball over five times.
The teams’ traded fumbles on consecutive plays midway through the first quarter. St. Bernard took advantage of its recovery, driving 44 yards in seven plays, scoring on a four-yard pass at the 2:36 mark of the first quarter. Loyola shut down the Vikings two-point conversion attempt. The Cubs answered on their ensuing possession with ZERMENO racing eight yards into the end zone on a run around left end. Junior JACKSON SHEA’s PAT kick put the Cubs up 7-6 with 11:04 left in the second quarter.
OWENS bolted 16 yards for a TD with 1:15 remaining in the first half. SHEA’s kick put Loyola up 14-6 heading into intermission. Big Blue supporters anticipated that the Cubs would roll in the second half, but such expectations did not come to fruition.
Cub sophomore JORDAN HEWITT returned a drastically executed St. Bernard punt to the Vikes’ six yard line in the third stanza. Thereafter, OWENS powered into the end zone from a yard out. SHEA’s PAT kick upped Loyola’s lead to 21-6 at the 7:15 mark of the third quarter.
Facing fourth-and-one, St. Bernard’s fullback took the ball 46 yards up the stacked middle and into the end zone to close the gap to 21-12 with 5:11 left in the third quarter.
Aided by a questionable personal foul penalty against the Cubs, St.Bernard scored on an 18-yard pass at the 8:32 mark of the final quarter to cap a 65-yard scoring drive. On its next series Loyola was forced to punt. The Vikings tthen quickly scored on a 57-yard bomb. Once again, the Vikings’ two point conversion attempt failed. The home team had a 24-21 lead with 4:45 left in the contest. After the Cubs were intercepted on the ensuing possession. things were looking bleak for the Big Blue before late magic happened.
The players of the game for Loyola had to be TAHJ OWENS and PETE VANIS. OWENS excelled as a kick returner and running back and also stood out while doing double duty at safety. VANIS made some great catches, including the game winner, at the wide receiver position and also was outstanding as a punt returner.
There were many other standouts for the Big Blue. Senior defensive lineman JOSH LONG had a big sack for the Cubs and constantly put pressure on the home team’s quarterback. Senior nose guard TAVO CASADO caused and recovered a fumble. Senior All-American corner CEYAIR WRIGHT nabbed an interception. Junior linebacker PATRICK SODL blocked a St. Bernard punt, and Loyola senior defensive lineman JEFF JOHNSON recovered a fumble for the Cubs.
The Vikings are young but very talented. Whether Loyola took them lightly or not, St. Bernard came to play. The Cubs left a lot of points on the field. It is anticipated that eliminating turnovers and scoring consistently will be the focus for Loyola in practice in the coming week.
A win is a win, And all that matters is that Loyola is 1-0 as it prepares to host long time rival La Canada St. Francis next Saturday at 7:00 p.m.at Pius X-St. Matthias in Downey.
Loyola’s ‘Wolfpack’ defense-in its best and most critical stand of the evening-forced St. Bernard to punt with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter on the Vikings’ penultimate offensive possession of Friday’s non-league game played at St. Bernard’s home field in Playa del Rey. Notwithstanding the stop unit getting the ball back for the Big Blue offense, things did not look good for the Cubs who were down 24-21.
Loyola’s previous offensive possession had ended with an interception at the Cubs’49-yard line. Most Big Blue fans figured that spelled the end as nine of Loyola’s previous 12 offensive possessions had ended in two fumbles, two interceptions, a missed field goal, two punts and two failed fourth down attempts.
When Loyola lined up at its 10-yard line it had 90 yards to cover in order to capture what at that juncture appeared an improbable against all odds chance for victory. The Cubs were faced fourth down and seven-yards-to go-at their 13-yard line. Senior quarterback BRAYDEN ZERMENO, facing a fierce rush, remained calm in the pocket before finding and completing a pass to junior wide receiver PETE VANIS for a first down to keep the last gasp drive alive.
On the following play, All-CIF junior running back TAHJ OWENS raced 35 yards up the middle. ZERMENO then found VANIS again, and the clutch junior receiver made a great catch and run to score the game-winning touchdown from 27 yards out with just 33 seconds left on the game clock. Thereafter, Loyola’s defense pinned its ears back in shutting down the Vikings’ desperate attempt to move down the field before the final gun.
The Cubs’ scintillating come-from-behind triumph will go down as among the best in the annals of Loyola’s all-time late game victories.
To be sure, the first game of the delayed 2020 campaign saw an uneven, inconsistent performance by the Cubs in all phases. That being said, the biggest take away from the dramatic win was that the Big Blue found the grit and resolve to secure a tough win. It is fair to expect Loyola to improve dramatically. The Cubs had an uncharacteristic five turnovers. The Vikings also turned the ball over five times.
The teams’ traded fumbles on consecutive plays midway through the first quarter. St. Bernard took advantage of its recovery, driving 44 yards in seven plays, scoring on a four-yard pass at the 2:36 mark of the first quarter. Loyola shut down the Vikings two-point conversion attempt. The Cubs answered on their ensuing possession with ZERMENO racing eight yards into the end zone on a run around left end. Junior JACKSON SHEA’s PAT kick put the Cubs up 7-6 with 11:04 left in the second quarter.
OWENS bolted 16 yards for a TD with 1:15 remaining in the first half. SHEA’s kick put Loyola up 14-6 heading into intermission. Big Blue supporters anticipated that the Cubs would roll in the second half, but such expectations did not come to fruition.
Cub sophomore JORDAN HEWITT returned a drastically executed St. Bernard punt to the Vikes’ six yard line in the third stanza. Thereafter, OWENS powered into the end zone from a yard out. SHEA’s PAT kick upped Loyola’s lead to 21-6 at the 7:15 mark of the third quarter.
Facing fourth-and-one, St. Bernard’s fullback took the ball 46 yards up the stacked middle and into the end zone to close the gap to 21-12 with 5:11 left in the third quarter.
Aided by a questionable personal foul penalty against the Cubs, St.Bernard scored on an 18-yard pass at the 8:32 mark of the final quarter to cap a 65-yard scoring drive. On its next series Loyola was forced to punt. The Vikings tthen quickly scored on a 57-yard bomb. Once again, the Vikings’ two point conversion attempt failed. The home team had a 24-21 lead with 4:45 left in the contest. After the Cubs were intercepted on the ensuing possession. things were looking bleak for the Big Blue before late magic happened.
The players of the game for Loyola had to be TAHJ OWENS and PETE VANIS. OWENS excelled as a kick returner and running back and also stood out while doing double duty at safety. VANIS made some great catches, including the game winner, at the wide receiver position and also was outstanding as a punt returner.
There were many other standouts for the Big Blue. Senior defensive lineman JOSH LONG had a big sack for the Cubs and constantly put pressure on the home team’s quarterback. Senior nose guard TAVO CASADO caused and recovered a fumble. Senior All-American corner CEYAIR WRIGHT nabbed an interception. Junior linebacker PATRICK SODL blocked a St. Bernard punt, and Loyola senior defensive lineman JEFF JOHNSON recovered a fumble for the Cubs.
The Vikings are young but very talented. Whether Loyola took them lightly or not, St. Bernard came to play. The Cubs left a lot of points on the field. It is anticipated that eliminating turnovers and scoring consistently will be the focus for Loyola in practice in the coming week.
A win is a win, And all that matters is that Loyola is 1-0 as it prepares to host long time rival La Canada St. Francis next Saturday at 7:00 p.m.at Pius X-St. Matthias in Downey.
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