Cub Football - Loyola’s defense leads the way in taut first round playoff victory
LOYOLA DEFENSE PLAYS BEST GAME OF SEASON IN 13-7 VICTORY OVER LAWNDALE
Senior Cub cornerback JORDAN HEWITT’s interception-his fourth of the season-in the waning moments of the fourth quarter of Loyola’s first round CIF Southern Section Division 6 first round playoff contest against fast, talented Pioneer League champion Lawndale, secured a hard-fought 13-7 victory for the Big Blue (6-5) on Friday night at Smith Field. Junior MARK HYAN’s two field goals provided the winning margin in the triumph, which set up a quarterfinal rematch against the Culver City Centaurs (6-5) next Friday on the road.
It was ultimately the play of the determined Cub ‘Wolfpack’ defense which yielded zero points to the Cardinals that spelled the difference in the outcome. And, as they say, defense wins championships. Loyola’s defensive effort was its best of the 2022 campaign, which bodes well for the Cubs as they continue their playoff journey. Loyola must find a way to produce better offensive production to reach their goals, but there is no reason to doubt that such improvement will come.
Another solid performance by the Big Blue rushing attack behind a stalwart effort by the offensive line, was also instrumental in the victory. Junior JUSTIN SMITH (9 carries for 69 yards, 7.7 ypc) had some big runs, and senior JON BAUTISTA and sophomore DESI VALDES also had solid outings carrying the ball.
Lawndale, a run-heavy team, came out passing on its first possession, and did so effectively until the Cubs’ defense stiffened. The Cardinals drove to the Loyola 21 yard line before missing a 28-yard field goal attempt. With 11:18 remaining on the second quarter clock, VALDES sprinted for a 13-yard touchdown to cap a nine-play, 49 yard march. HYAN’s PAT kick gave the Cubs a 7-0 lead.
Loyola was in hurry-up mode in the final seconds of the first half. With 6.5 seconds left before intermission, the Cubs opted not to try a 40-yard field goal, and instead threw the ball which was intercepted and returned 90 yards on a stunning pick-six which tied the game, 7-7, with no time left on the clock. Fortunately that ill-fated take-your-breath-away play did not come back to haunt Loyola, but it did set up a down-to-the-wire, nail biting second half.
With 4:16 left in the third quarter, HYAN split the uprights on a 36-yard field goal try to give the Cubs a 10-7 lead. A 13-yard sack by senior nose guard JOSH FLAMINIANO, senior linebacker JARED ERBY and senior defensive lineman JACK REED on Lawndale’s ensuing possession forced a Cardinal punt. Loyola then drove to the Lawndale 25 yard line, from which HYAN kicked a 32-yard field goal to increase the Cub lead to 13-7 with 8:36 left in the game.
Lawndale then mounted a long, potentially game-winning drive at its 30 yard line. A controversial pass interference call against Loyola on fourth down set the Cardinals up with a first-and-ten at the Cub nine yard line. A feeling of impending doom permeated the air before HEWITT’s game-saving interception in the end zone with 2:02 remaining on the game clock.
The Cubs survived, and will advance to the quarterfinals to face a hot Culver City team at the Centaurs’ home field next Friday. In the second game of the season, Loyola downed Culver City, 24-19, in a close contest. The Centaurs defeated Placentia El Dorado, 35-24, for an upset victory in Orange County on Friday.
The old axiom is that it is hard to beat the same team twice. Accordingly, the Cubs will have their work cut out for them in the quarterfinal round.
Senior Cub cornerback JORDAN HEWITT’s interception-his fourth of the season-in the waning moments of the fourth quarter of Loyola’s first round CIF Southern Section Division 6 first round playoff contest against fast, talented Pioneer League champion Lawndale, secured a hard-fought 13-7 victory for the Big Blue (6-5) on Friday night at Smith Field. Junior MARK HYAN’s two field goals provided the winning margin in the triumph, which set up a quarterfinal rematch against the Culver City Centaurs (6-5) next Friday on the road.
It was ultimately the play of the determined Cub ‘Wolfpack’ defense which yielded zero points to the Cardinals that spelled the difference in the outcome. And, as they say, defense wins championships. Loyola’s defensive effort was its best of the 2022 campaign, which bodes well for the Cubs as they continue their playoff journey. Loyola must find a way to produce better offensive production to reach their goals, but there is no reason to doubt that such improvement will come.
Another solid performance by the Big Blue rushing attack behind a stalwart effort by the offensive line, was also instrumental in the victory. Junior JUSTIN SMITH (9 carries for 69 yards, 7.7 ypc) had some big runs, and senior JON BAUTISTA and sophomore DESI VALDES also had solid outings carrying the ball.
Lawndale, a run-heavy team, came out passing on its first possession, and did so effectively until the Cubs’ defense stiffened. The Cardinals drove to the Loyola 21 yard line before missing a 28-yard field goal attempt. With 11:18 remaining on the second quarter clock, VALDES sprinted for a 13-yard touchdown to cap a nine-play, 49 yard march. HYAN’s PAT kick gave the Cubs a 7-0 lead.
Loyola was in hurry-up mode in the final seconds of the first half. With 6.5 seconds left before intermission, the Cubs opted not to try a 40-yard field goal, and instead threw the ball which was intercepted and returned 90 yards on a stunning pick-six which tied the game, 7-7, with no time left on the clock. Fortunately that ill-fated take-your-breath-away play did not come back to haunt Loyola, but it did set up a down-to-the-wire, nail biting second half.
With 4:16 left in the third quarter, HYAN split the uprights on a 36-yard field goal try to give the Cubs a 10-7 lead. A 13-yard sack by senior nose guard JOSH FLAMINIANO, senior linebacker JARED ERBY and senior defensive lineman JACK REED on Lawndale’s ensuing possession forced a Cardinal punt. Loyola then drove to the Lawndale 25 yard line, from which HYAN kicked a 32-yard field goal to increase the Cub lead to 13-7 with 8:36 left in the game.
Lawndale then mounted a long, potentially game-winning drive at its 30 yard line. A controversial pass interference call against Loyola on fourth down set the Cardinals up with a first-and-ten at the Cub nine yard line. A feeling of impending doom permeated the air before HEWITT’s game-saving interception in the end zone with 2:02 remaining on the game clock.
The Cubs survived, and will advance to the quarterfinals to face a hot Culver City team at the Centaurs’ home field next Friday. In the second game of the season, Loyola downed Culver City, 24-19, in a close contest. The Centaurs defeated Placentia El Dorado, 35-24, for an upset victory in Orange County on Friday.
The old axiom is that it is hard to beat the same team twice. Accordingly, the Cubs will have their work cut out for them in the quarterfinal round.
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