Cub Football - Review of 2019 Loyola’s CIF Finalist season
CIF SOUTHERN SECTION RUNNER-UP FINISH MARKS INCREDIBLE START TO CASANI ERA
First year head coach DREW CASANI ‘91 took over the reins as head football coach at his alma mater following a disappointing 2018 campaign that saw Loyola win only one game. It was expected that the 1990 CIF Division I Defensive Player-of-the-Year would begin the process of bringing the once powerful program back to prominence in California prep football, but it is fair to say that virtually no one foresaw the Cubs playing in a Southern Section championship game in Casani’s first season at the helm. And that's just what they did.
Among Casani’s first priorities was putting together a top notch coaching staff. He did that in short order. He also embraced the idea that his inaugural team could not be beholden to past glory, but had to create its own identity, while appreciating tradition, but creating a standard of its own. It is fair to say that a group of dedicated seniors and great group of underclass players combined to have a remarkable season. Casani lauded his troops before the CIF title battle, "The most gratifying aspect of this season is how hard the guys worked from day one."
The win-loss record (6-7) does not reflect the ultimate success of the campaign. Rather where Loyola finished defined the accomplishments of the squad.
There was considerable nail biting when the time for CIF playoff at-large selection arrived, as Loyola concluded the regular season with a 3-6 record and a fifth place finish in the tough Mission League. But the Southern Section looked at the Cubs’ impressive strength of schedule; victories over highly regarded Valencia, which won the Foothill League for the eleventh consecutive time, and talent-laden Gardena Serra; and close conference losses to Notre Dame and Chaminade, in selecting Loyola as an at-large team in the 16-team Division 4 playoff bracket. Every team on the Big Blue’s regular season schedule made the CIF playoffs.
This marked the first time the program competed in a playoff division other than Large Schools/AAAA/Division I. Based on the competitive equity playoff criteria established by the Southern Section in 2015, the Cubs were slotted into Division 4, which included more than a few squads with impressive talent and records.
Loyola’s playoff run was nothing short of spectacular given its regular season record. In the first round at South Torrance High School, the Cubs were pitted against number three seed Palos Verdes, the Bay League champions. In a contest that was not as close as the final 7-0 score, Loyola dominated defensively, completely shutting down the Sea Kings’ potent offense after the first drive of the game..
In the quarterfinals at home, the Cubs rolled to a 45-28 over a solid Villa Park team, to set up a semifinal showdown against number two seed Camarillo, which came into the final four contest at Moorpark College with an impressive 11-1 record. It wasn’t close as Loyola romped over the Scorpions, 31-14. The 50-mile bus ride back to 1901 Venice Boulevard was joyful as, incredibly, the Cubs were headed to the school’s thirteenth CIF championship game.
The contest was slated to be played at Loyola’s campus stadium. Fourth seeded San Juan Hills, the Sea View League champions, tried to convince the Southern Section to move the game to a larger venue. They lost that gambit to deny the Cubs home field advantage.
On a rainy Saturday night on November 30, before a capacity standing-room-only home crowd, Loyola fought fiercely to the end, in the same tough manner that so many great Cub teams of the past competed. A successful Loyola on side kick following a DIEGO BURGOS field goal put the Big Blue in business at the Stallions’ 47 yard line with just under five minutes to play. Loyola was down 21-15. A touchdown and extra point would secure a seventh CIF title for the Cubs. With 26 seconds left on the clock, the Stallions intercepted a tipped pass in their end zone to seal the victory and championship trophy.
For Loyola, it did not mark an end, but rather a beginning of a bright new era of Cub Football.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Make no mistake about it, this remarkable turnaround season was in large measure a result of the efforts of a committed senior class that melded well with a talented group of underclassmen. Team chemistry is so important to success, this Loyola team had it.
• The CIF Southern Section title game was Loyola’s thirteenth all-time.
All Mission League
• Seven Cubs earned All-Mission League honors:
First Team
STEVEN ARELLANO (Sr.) Linebacker
BRENDAN PERNECKY (Sr.) Tight End
CEYAIR WRIGHT (Jr.) Corner
Second Team
NICK ANDERSON (Sr.) Center
NIKKO GONZALEZ (Sr.) Linebacker
JACOBY KELLY (Soph.) Wide Receiver
EVAN THOMAS ((Sr.) Safety
• Team Captains: STEVEN ARELLANO (LB), SAM DOMINGUEZ (OT), BRENDAN PERNECKY (TE)
• Most improved unit from 2018: Offensive line ( Tackle SHANE STROKE (Sr.), Guard SAM YOON (Soph.), Center NICK ANDERSON (Sr.), Guard HUNTER SAMUELSON (Sr.), TackleSAM DOMINGUEZ (Sr.), Tight Ends BRENDAN PERNECKY (Sr.) and JOE TAYLOR (Soph.).
After game two, the offensive line allowed only three sacks in the final 11 contests of the season.
• STATISTICAL LEADERS
Offense
Passing
BRAYDEN ZERMENO (Jr.)
147/263 1,633 yds., 8 TDs
Rushing
HARRISON ALLEN (Soph.) 174 carries, 871 yds., 13 TDs
TAHJ OWENS (Soph.) 123 carries, 757 yds., 7 TDs
BRAYDEN ZERMENO (Jr.) 44 carries, 323 yds., 2 TDs
Receiving
JACOBY KELLY (Soph.) 37 receptions, 480 yds., 13.0 ypc, 5 TDs
MICHAEL JONES (Sr.) 27 receptions, 283 yds., 10.5 ypc, 2TDs
PETER VANIS (Soph.) 17 receptions, 267 yds., 15.7 ypc, 1 TD
HARRISON ALLEN (Soph.) 18 receptions, 187 yds., 10.4 ypc., 1TD
BRENDAN PERNECKY (Sr.) 16 receptions, 185 yds., 11.6 ypc.
TAHJ OWENS (Soph.) 14 receptions, 111 yds., 7.9 ypc.
All-Purpose Yards
TAHJ OWENS (Soph.) 1,284
HARRISON ALLEN (Soph.) 1,025
JACOBY KELLY (Soph.) 480
CEYAIR WRIGHT (Jr.) 369
PETER VANIS (Soph.) 288
Percentage of Underclass Offensive Yardage (Returning in 2020)
Passing: 100 per cent
Rushing: 96 per cent
Receiving: 71 per cent
All-Purpose: 88 per cent
Defense
STEVEN ARELLANO (Sr.) Linebacker: 177 Tackles/69 Solo, 16 Tackles For Loss (TFL), 5.5 Sacks
NIKKO GONZALEZ (Sr.) Linebacker: 128 Tackles/36 Solo
CARTER LINK (Sr.) Outside Linebacker: 96 tackles/35 Solo, 10 TFL, 1.5 Sacks
JOSHUA LONG (Jr.) Defensive Lineman: 86 Tackles/19 Solo, 6.5 TFL, 3 Sacks
EVAN THOMAS (Sr.) Safety: 76 Tackles/32 Solo, 2 Interceptions (INT)
DOMINICK BELISLE (Sr.) Outside Linebacker: 72 Tackles/13 Solo, 5 Passes Defended (PD), 7 TFL
MARIANO UY (Sr.) Nose Guard: 66 Tackles/14 Solo, 9 TFL, 3 Sacks
ZAKHARI SPEARS (Jr.) Corner: 62 Tackles/22 Solo, 3 PD
BLAKE NEITHART (Sr.) Safety: 58 Tackles/15 Solos (missed several games because of injury)
CEYAIR WRIGHT (Jr.) Corner: 52 Tackles/21 Solo, 3 INT, 7 PD
JEFFREY JOHNSON (Jr.): 45 Tackles/9 Solo, 5 TFL, 7 Sacks
OTHER NOTEWORTHY FACTS
• This marks the nineteenth time Loyola advanced to the semifinal round of the CIF playoffs dating back to 1946. Of the thirteen teams that made it to the championship game, this season’s squad scored the third most points (83, 28 point per game average) of all Cub units that won their first three CIF Southern Section playoff games. Only the 1992 and 1995 Loyola teams scored more points in their first three CIF playoff victories.
• Loyola’s opponents’ cumulative won-loss record was 97-55. That was a better cumulative opponent record than all but 14 of the 48 teams in the state ranked above the Cubs.
• As of December 9, Loyola was ranked 62nd in the state by MaxPreps. Eight of its 2019 opponents were ranked higher. There are 1,041 schools which play 11-man football in California. The Cubs rank in the top six percent in the state.
• Only three teams with below .500 records were ranked in this week’s state top 100, Orange Lutheran (5-6) 38th, Loyola (6-7) 62nd, and Santa Margarita (3-8) 78th.
• Loyola is ranked as the top all-men Catholic high schools in California by Niche. Quite an impressive season by a school that is a top tier academic school.
First year head coach DREW CASANI ‘91 took over the reins as head football coach at his alma mater following a disappointing 2018 campaign that saw Loyola win only one game. It was expected that the 1990 CIF Division I Defensive Player-of-the-Year would begin the process of bringing the once powerful program back to prominence in California prep football, but it is fair to say that virtually no one foresaw the Cubs playing in a Southern Section championship game in Casani’s first season at the helm. And that's just what they did.
Among Casani’s first priorities was putting together a top notch coaching staff. He did that in short order. He also embraced the idea that his inaugural team could not be beholden to past glory, but had to create its own identity, while appreciating tradition, but creating a standard of its own. It is fair to say that a group of dedicated seniors and great group of underclass players combined to have a remarkable season. Casani lauded his troops before the CIF title battle, "The most gratifying aspect of this season is how hard the guys worked from day one."
The win-loss record (6-7) does not reflect the ultimate success of the campaign. Rather where Loyola finished defined the accomplishments of the squad.
There was considerable nail biting when the time for CIF playoff at-large selection arrived, as Loyola concluded the regular season with a 3-6 record and a fifth place finish in the tough Mission League. But the Southern Section looked at the Cubs’ impressive strength of schedule; victories over highly regarded Valencia, which won the Foothill League for the eleventh consecutive time, and talent-laden Gardena Serra; and close conference losses to Notre Dame and Chaminade, in selecting Loyola as an at-large team in the 16-team Division 4 playoff bracket. Every team on the Big Blue’s regular season schedule made the CIF playoffs.
This marked the first time the program competed in a playoff division other than Large Schools/AAAA/Division I. Based on the competitive equity playoff criteria established by the Southern Section in 2015, the Cubs were slotted into Division 4, which included more than a few squads with impressive talent and records.
Loyola’s playoff run was nothing short of spectacular given its regular season record. In the first round at South Torrance High School, the Cubs were pitted against number three seed Palos Verdes, the Bay League champions. In a contest that was not as close as the final 7-0 score, Loyola dominated defensively, completely shutting down the Sea Kings’ potent offense after the first drive of the game..
In the quarterfinals at home, the Cubs rolled to a 45-28 over a solid Villa Park team, to set up a semifinal showdown against number two seed Camarillo, which came into the final four contest at Moorpark College with an impressive 11-1 record. It wasn’t close as Loyola romped over the Scorpions, 31-14. The 50-mile bus ride back to 1901 Venice Boulevard was joyful as, incredibly, the Cubs were headed to the school’s thirteenth CIF championship game.
The contest was slated to be played at Loyola’s campus stadium. Fourth seeded San Juan Hills, the Sea View League champions, tried to convince the Southern Section to move the game to a larger venue. They lost that gambit to deny the Cubs home field advantage.
On a rainy Saturday night on November 30, before a capacity standing-room-only home crowd, Loyola fought fiercely to the end, in the same tough manner that so many great Cub teams of the past competed. A successful Loyola on side kick following a DIEGO BURGOS field goal put the Big Blue in business at the Stallions’ 47 yard line with just under five minutes to play. Loyola was down 21-15. A touchdown and extra point would secure a seventh CIF title for the Cubs. With 26 seconds left on the clock, the Stallions intercepted a tipped pass in their end zone to seal the victory and championship trophy.
For Loyola, it did not mark an end, but rather a beginning of a bright new era of Cub Football.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Make no mistake about it, this remarkable turnaround season was in large measure a result of the efforts of a committed senior class that melded well with a talented group of underclassmen. Team chemistry is so important to success, this Loyola team had it.
• The CIF Southern Section title game was Loyola’s thirteenth all-time.
All Mission League
• Seven Cubs earned All-Mission League honors:
First Team
STEVEN ARELLANO (Sr.) Linebacker
BRENDAN PERNECKY (Sr.) Tight End
CEYAIR WRIGHT (Jr.) Corner
Second Team
NICK ANDERSON (Sr.) Center
NIKKO GONZALEZ (Sr.) Linebacker
JACOBY KELLY (Soph.) Wide Receiver
EVAN THOMAS ((Sr.) Safety
• Team Captains: STEVEN ARELLANO (LB), SAM DOMINGUEZ (OT), BRENDAN PERNECKY (TE)
• Most improved unit from 2018: Offensive line ( Tackle SHANE STROKE (Sr.), Guard SAM YOON (Soph.), Center NICK ANDERSON (Sr.), Guard HUNTER SAMUELSON (Sr.), TackleSAM DOMINGUEZ (Sr.), Tight Ends BRENDAN PERNECKY (Sr.) and JOE TAYLOR (Soph.).
After game two, the offensive line allowed only three sacks in the final 11 contests of the season.
• STATISTICAL LEADERS
Offense
Passing
BRAYDEN ZERMENO (Jr.)
147/263 1,633 yds., 8 TDs
Rushing
HARRISON ALLEN (Soph.) 174 carries, 871 yds., 13 TDs
TAHJ OWENS (Soph.) 123 carries, 757 yds., 7 TDs
BRAYDEN ZERMENO (Jr.) 44 carries, 323 yds., 2 TDs
Receiving
JACOBY KELLY (Soph.) 37 receptions, 480 yds., 13.0 ypc, 5 TDs
MICHAEL JONES (Sr.) 27 receptions, 283 yds., 10.5 ypc, 2TDs
PETER VANIS (Soph.) 17 receptions, 267 yds., 15.7 ypc, 1 TD
HARRISON ALLEN (Soph.) 18 receptions, 187 yds., 10.4 ypc., 1TD
BRENDAN PERNECKY (Sr.) 16 receptions, 185 yds., 11.6 ypc.
TAHJ OWENS (Soph.) 14 receptions, 111 yds., 7.9 ypc.
All-Purpose Yards
TAHJ OWENS (Soph.) 1,284
HARRISON ALLEN (Soph.) 1,025
JACOBY KELLY (Soph.) 480
CEYAIR WRIGHT (Jr.) 369
PETER VANIS (Soph.) 288
Percentage of Underclass Offensive Yardage (Returning in 2020)
Passing: 100 per cent
Rushing: 96 per cent
Receiving: 71 per cent
All-Purpose: 88 per cent
Defense
STEVEN ARELLANO (Sr.) Linebacker: 177 Tackles/69 Solo, 16 Tackles For Loss (TFL), 5.5 Sacks
NIKKO GONZALEZ (Sr.) Linebacker: 128 Tackles/36 Solo
CARTER LINK (Sr.) Outside Linebacker: 96 tackles/35 Solo, 10 TFL, 1.5 Sacks
JOSHUA LONG (Jr.) Defensive Lineman: 86 Tackles/19 Solo, 6.5 TFL, 3 Sacks
EVAN THOMAS (Sr.) Safety: 76 Tackles/32 Solo, 2 Interceptions (INT)
DOMINICK BELISLE (Sr.) Outside Linebacker: 72 Tackles/13 Solo, 5 Passes Defended (PD), 7 TFL
MARIANO UY (Sr.) Nose Guard: 66 Tackles/14 Solo, 9 TFL, 3 Sacks
ZAKHARI SPEARS (Jr.) Corner: 62 Tackles/22 Solo, 3 PD
BLAKE NEITHART (Sr.) Safety: 58 Tackles/15 Solos (missed several games because of injury)
CEYAIR WRIGHT (Jr.) Corner: 52 Tackles/21 Solo, 3 INT, 7 PD
JEFFREY JOHNSON (Jr.): 45 Tackles/9 Solo, 5 TFL, 7 Sacks
OTHER NOTEWORTHY FACTS
• This marks the nineteenth time Loyola advanced to the semifinal round of the CIF playoffs dating back to 1946. Of the thirteen teams that made it to the championship game, this season’s squad scored the third most points (83, 28 point per game average) of all Cub units that won their first three CIF Southern Section playoff games. Only the 1992 and 1995 Loyola teams scored more points in their first three CIF playoff victories.
• Loyola’s opponents’ cumulative won-loss record was 97-55. That was a better cumulative opponent record than all but 14 of the 48 teams in the state ranked above the Cubs.
• As of December 9, Loyola was ranked 62nd in the state by MaxPreps. Eight of its 2019 opponents were ranked higher. There are 1,041 schools which play 11-man football in California. The Cubs rank in the top six percent in the state.
• Only three teams with below .500 records were ranked in this week’s state top 100, Orange Lutheran (5-6) 38th, Loyola (6-7) 62nd, and Santa Margarita (3-8) 78th.
• Loyola is ranked as the top all-men Catholic high schools in California by Niche. Quite an impressive season by a school that is a top tier academic school.
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