Cub Football - Mistakes, formidable Chaminade running game dooms Cubs on Senior Night
LOYOLA FALLS TO CHAMINADE, 21-10, IN FINAL REGULAR SEASON HOME GAME
Loyola hosted West Hills Chaminade on Friday in the penultimate Mission League contest for both teams on Senior Night at Smith Field, and the outcome did not turn out to be celebratory for a senior class that was hoping to completely reverse the fortunes of Cub Football in 2019. Loyola fell to the Eagles, 21-10, in another contest in which the Cubs had opportunities to notch a win, but were unfortunately victimized by their own mistakes and a handful of big plays by the opponent.
A wide open Eagles receiver sprinted 80 yards for a touchdown at the 1:44 mark of the first quarter, and Chaminade upped its lead to 14-0 on a 42-yard screen pass with 8:46 left in the second quarter. Things looked dismal for the Big Blue at that point, but they continued to fight.
Loyola sophomore running back TAHJ OWENS bolted into the end zone from six yards out with 1:35 left on the clock before intermission to close the gap to 14-7. The highlight of the 70-yard scoring drive was a 57-yard run by junior quarterback BRAYDEN ZERMENO.
The Cubs ‘Wolfpack’ defense forced a punt on the Eagles’ opening possession of the second half. Shortly thereafter senior kicker DIEGO BURGOS drilled a 40-yard field goal with 2:08 left in the third quarter to draw Loyola closer, cutting Chaminade’s lead to 14-10.
Unfortunately, a 19-yard TD run less than two minutes into the fourth quarter capped a 70 yard Eagles scoring march to put the visitors ahead, 21-10. The Big Blue defense had trouble stopping the running game all night.
A great kickoff return set Loyola up at its 41 yard line on the Cubs’ ensuing possession. Loyola mounted a solid drive which ended when the Cubs fumbled the ball away at the Chaminade seven yard line. From there the Eagles’ powerful rushing offense dominated, and the Chaminade was able to run out the clock after converting a first down run at the Loyola nine yard line before the Eagles took a knee to run out the clock.
There is no question that vastly improved Chaminade is the best 4-5 team in California, and the Cubs again showed the ability to go toe to toe with a Division 1 squad. But the margin for error is razor thin in Mission League battles, and Loyola succumbed as a result of too many errors and failed opportunities.
The Cubs have a chance to shock the Southern California prep football world next Friday as they will take on powerful Bishop Amat (8-1) in La Puente. The Lancers downed Sherman Oaks Notre Dame on Friday, 35-21, behind another outstanding rushing performance by senior Cal-bound running back Damien Moore. A Loyola victory would all but assure The Cubs of a Division 4 playoff berth.
Loyola hosted West Hills Chaminade on Friday in the penultimate Mission League contest for both teams on Senior Night at Smith Field, and the outcome did not turn out to be celebratory for a senior class that was hoping to completely reverse the fortunes of Cub Football in 2019. Loyola fell to the Eagles, 21-10, in another contest in which the Cubs had opportunities to notch a win, but were unfortunately victimized by their own mistakes and a handful of big plays by the opponent.
A wide open Eagles receiver sprinted 80 yards for a touchdown at the 1:44 mark of the first quarter, and Chaminade upped its lead to 14-0 on a 42-yard screen pass with 8:46 left in the second quarter. Things looked dismal for the Big Blue at that point, but they continued to fight.
Loyola sophomore running back TAHJ OWENS bolted into the end zone from six yards out with 1:35 left on the clock before intermission to close the gap to 14-7. The highlight of the 70-yard scoring drive was a 57-yard run by junior quarterback BRAYDEN ZERMENO.
The Cubs ‘Wolfpack’ defense forced a punt on the Eagles’ opening possession of the second half. Shortly thereafter senior kicker DIEGO BURGOS drilled a 40-yard field goal with 2:08 left in the third quarter to draw Loyola closer, cutting Chaminade’s lead to 14-10.
Unfortunately, a 19-yard TD run less than two minutes into the fourth quarter capped a 70 yard Eagles scoring march to put the visitors ahead, 21-10. The Big Blue defense had trouble stopping the running game all night.
A great kickoff return set Loyola up at its 41 yard line on the Cubs’ ensuing possession. Loyola mounted a solid drive which ended when the Cubs fumbled the ball away at the Chaminade seven yard line. From there the Eagles’ powerful rushing offense dominated, and the Chaminade was able to run out the clock after converting a first down run at the Loyola nine yard line before the Eagles took a knee to run out the clock.
There is no question that vastly improved Chaminade is the best 4-5 team in California, and the Cubs again showed the ability to go toe to toe with a Division 1 squad. But the margin for error is razor thin in Mission League battles, and Loyola succumbed as a result of too many errors and failed opportunities.
The Cubs have a chance to shock the Southern California prep football world next Friday as they will take on powerful Bishop Amat (8-1) in La Puente. The Lancers downed Sherman Oaks Notre Dame on Friday, 35-21, behind another outstanding rushing performance by senior Cal-bound running back Damien Moore. A Loyola victory would all but assure The Cubs of a Division 4 playoff berth.
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