Cub Football - Second trip to the beach not sunny for Cubs - Peter Vanis has monster game for Loyola
LOYOLA LOSES 24-21 TO SAN CLEMENTE TO FINISH NON-LEAGUE SLATE 5-2
The third time the Cubs faced a new opponent this season was not a charm. Before a large homecoming crowd, Host San Clemente went on a game-winning 76-yard touchdown drive which commenced with 5:33 left in the game. The Tritons secured the victory on a three-yard run with just 18 seconds left on the clock.
For the second week in a row the Cubs played highly motivated foes in beach towns, and as it turned out neither contest proved to be a proverbial “day at the beach.” After hanging on to get by Mira Costa, 34-31, in an unanticipated heart stopper on September 24, Loyola played a San Clemente squad that performed with refuse-to-lose passion for four quarters.
The Tritons held to their script, and it played out just as they hoped. They were able to slow down the Cubs’ prolific rushing attack while throwing the ball effectively and pounding it on the ground just enough to allow what had been a relatively anemic offense to record their second highest point total of the season.
Without question, the star of the game for Loyola was wide receiver PETER VANIS. The senior co-captain continued his stellar campaign with brilliant catches and sprints after catch that averaged over 20 yards per reception. VANIS finished the night with eight catches for 162 yards and two touchdowns. He also shined, as usual, as a punt returner.
The Tritons were able to slow down All-CIF Cub running back TAHJ OWENS to a degree, but the senior co-captain ran for 117 hard-fought yards for his sixth 100-yard plus rushing performance of the season as he is rapidly closing in on 1,000 yards.
Loyola went three-and-out on the game’s opening offensive possession, following which San Clemente quickly drove 59 yards before kicking a short field goal to open a 3-0 lead. The Cubs answered immediately, driving 69 yards in seven plays, with the TD coming on VANIS’s beautiful 45-yard catch and run on a pass from senior quarterback JOE TATUM. MARK HYAN’s PAT kick put Loyola in the lead, 7-3, with 2:50 left in the first quarter.
After the Cub ‘Wolfpack’ did not allow a yard on the Tritons’ ensuing possession, Loyola mounted an 85-yard drive that was capped by another great VANIS reception from TATUM that covered 45 yards. HYAN’s PAT kick upped the Cubs lead to 14-3 just five seconds into the second quarter.
The teams exchanged punts before the Tritons embarked on an 88-yard drive culminating on an eight-yard TD pass at the 3:47 mark of the second quarter to make the score, 14-10. With plenty of time to put more points on the board before halftime, Loyola’s drive, which began on its 20-yard line, stalled in part because of a critical holding penalty.
The Cubs punted on their first two offensive series of the second half.. San Clemente drove 73 yards in seven plays, scoring on a six-yard pass with 9:48 left in the contest to forge a 17-14 lead.
Loyola then stormed back with a 57-yard touchdown drive, capped by a two-yard OWENS run, to pull ahead, 21-17, with 5:33 left on the clock.
The Tritons needed to travel 76 yards to win the game. A fourth-and-long pass completion kept the game-winning drive alive.A two-yard run sealed the deal for the home team as it celebrated its homecoming with a dramatic 24-21 victory.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE CUBS
The Cubs have a bye before embarking on their three-game Angelus League slate in Encino against Crespi on October 15. Loyola will travel to La Canada to take on longtime rival St. Francis on October 22, and closes out the regular season with a home tilt against St. Paul on October 29.
The bye week should go a long way in allowing some key injuries to mend.
Loyola is 5-2 on the season.