Cub Football - Powerful Leuzinger next up for the Cubs
LOYOLA HAS OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A STATEMENT AGAINST LEUZINGER OLYMPIANS
Loyola had a bye last week after making a quantum leap against Damien on the last Friday of August in a down-to-the-wire, 30-29, one point loss.
This Friday the Cubs have a chance to take another big step up against Leuzinger, a physically tough, powerful squad that has amassed a staggering 1,148 total offensive yards and scored 120 points while relinquishing a scant 13 points in its first two games of the season. The challenge posed is as large as the Olympians’ personnel.
A LOOK AT LEUZINGER
Jason Miller has taken over as the head football coach at his high school alma mater, where he was star player in 1994 and 1995, following a two year stint as the head man at Bellflower at which he led the Buccaneers to two consecutive league titles.
Miller’s return to his familiar Olympian environs has thus far been nothing short of spectacular.
In its first two contests Leuzinger demolished Kaiser of Fontana, 62-0, and Paraclete of Lancaster, 58-13.
If an average score of 60-6 is not impressive enough, consider these off the chart metrics: the Olympians average 25.4 yards per pass completion and 19.2 yards per rushing attempt.
Leuzinger’s physical strength is its hallmark. There are few if any prep squads who could beat the Olympians in a weight lifting competition.
Senior All-State offensive lineman Blake Graham (6-4, 295), a national recruit with multiple scholarship offers from the likes of Michigan and Louisville, is the leader of a grid corps that moves the line of scrimmage with stunning ease.
Junior running back Journee Tonga (5-8, 170) is both lightning quick and extremely fast. He has victimized Leuzinger’s first two opponents by romping for 525 rushing yards in 29 carries for a head turning 18.1 yards per carry average. He has scored 7 touchdowns. The speedster runs for pay dirt on every four carries.
Freshman quarterback Russell Selina (6-3, 230) neither looks nor plays like a ninth grader. The strong armed field general has completed 15 of 21 passes (71%) for 381 yards and an incredible 25.4 yards per completion average.
Sekona’s favorite target is senior tight end Henry Doherty (6-1, 235), who averages 25.3 yards per reception.
The Olympians’ defense is spearheaded by national recruit Samu Moala (6-4, 230), a freakishly talented preseason All-State middle linebacker.
Senior defensive lineman Max Amasio (6-0, 230) was an All-Trinity League star at St. John Bosco last season before transferring to Leuzinger. He is the anchor of what has been an impenetrable defensive wall up front.
GAME OUTLOOK
Loyola will have to play with its hair on fire to stay in the game with the Olympians on the road in Lawndale this Friday. The battles up front on both sides of the line of scrimmage should be determinative of the outcome.
Tonga cannot be allowed to run wild by the Cub ‘Wolfpack’ defense, or it will be a long night for Loyola.
The Olympians score more than a point per minute on average. That cannot happen on Friday night if the Cubs want to stay in the hunt.
In last season’s contest between the teams Leuzinger out gained Loyola 502 yards to 326. That wide differential must be a lot closer on Friday for the Cubs to have a chance. Loyola needs to be balanced and productive on offense, which it was against Damien.
THE SERIES
Last fall was the first meeting between the Cubs and Olympians on the gridiron. Leuzinger overpowered Loyola, 35-14, at Smith Field, while putting on a display of how important an elite strength and conditioning program is.
HOW THE CUBS’ FUTURE OPPONENTS FARED LAST WEEK
(In order; opponent in all caps)
Notre Dame 36, ST. FRANCIS 34
MOUNT MIGUEL 35, La Jolla Country Day 21
SERRA 27, LB Poly 24
BISHOP AMAT Bye
Servite 14, CHAMINADE 0
St. John Bosco 38, Sierra Canyon 28
NOTRE DAME 36, St. Francis 34
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