July 31, 2024

Cub Football - Strong contingent, including multiple newcomers, prepare for 2024 campaign

MULTIPLE RETURNING STARTERS AND IMPACT NEWCOMERS WILL LEAD LOYOLA THIS SEASON IN TOUGH NEW LEAGUE

Most people outside Loyola’s football program-and for that matter many in it-repeated the famous line from The Wizard of Oz when it was announced at the conclusion of last season that Cub Football was moving up to the powerful Mission League, “...I have a feeling we’re not in [the Angelus] anymore.”

Indeed, Loyola’s ascension to one of the toughest interscholastic leagues in the United States, brings with it both peril and the chance for some fun in a conference that has one preseason national top ten squad and two teams in the first CalPreps state top 20 projections.

For the past four years, the Cubs have won or shared the Angelus League crown every season, and based on the wealth of talented returning and incoming new players, would have been the prohibitive favorites to repeat as champions this fall if they were still in the Angelus circuit.

But Loyola won’t face any easy contests in its new loop. The personnel which comprise the squads in the Mission League are simply bigger, faster and stronger than those in the Angelus.

The Cubs will get an idea how well their strength and conditioning and offseason programs prepared them for their new challenge when they commence their trek down the challenging Mission gauntlet against Serra of Gardena at Smith Field on October 4th.

Loyola has at least one major college scholarship prospect in every position group as the squad engages in acclimation practices this week. That is promising, to be sure.

Here’s an early look at the team.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Cubs return two starters in the trenches after losing three 2023 starters who will be suiting up for Arizona State (Champ Westbrooks), Dartmouth (Ryan Turk) and the University of San Diego (Luke Harrison) this fall.

Athletic, aggressive junior NATE TURK (6-3, 275), who started at right guard last season, will move to left tackle. Rated among the top 32 offensive linemen in the CIF Southern Section by SBLive, Turk currently has offers from Dartmouth, Cornell and Brown.

Junior NELSON PYE III (5-11, 263) returns at center after a strong varsity season as a sophomore.

Newcomer LANGSTON GIBSON, a 6—3, 312 lb. junior, is expected to win the battle for the left guard position. He brings size and strength to make the left side formidable.

Junior ANDREW HILTON (6-1, 295) will get a serious look at the left guard spot while two talented sophomores, CHRISTIAN ZLIDENNY (6-3, 244) and WILL BROCKERMEYER (6-4, 240) will battle for roles on the right side.

Senior SAMI PARK (5-11, 242) is a tough veteran who could play both at guard and center.

TIGHT END

Senior UCLA-linebacker/Edge commit SCOTT TAYLOR (6-4, 232) rates as one of the best tight ends in the state. He averaged 18.7 yards per catch last fall.

Junior WES McMULLIN (6-4, 215) showed his considerable skill in 7-on-7 competitions this spring and summer.

WIDE RECEIVER

Newcomer MARKUS KIER (6-3, 188) instantly made the receiver group one with which to be seriously reckoned. Holding several FBS scholarship offers, the junior pass catcher is sure handed, fast and smooth.

Senior ETHAN GALLARDO (5-10, 170) is tough to cover and has a knack for making great plays. He is an under the radar athlete who will surprise.

Junior BRYCE COLEMAN (6-4, 175) has really upped his game, adding another playmaker to the mix. He could also start or at least see substantial playing time at safety.

RUNNING BACK

ALL-State underclass junior running back SEAN MORRIS II (5-11, 191) had a banner campaign as a sophomore (1,119 yards rushing, 5.3 ypc, 10 TDs, 213 receiving yards, 13.3 yds. per reception). A weight room warrior, Morris combines power with speed, which is why he has offers from such schools as Washington and Arizona. SBLive ranks him as the seventh best running back in the CIF Southern Section.

Senior DESI VALDES (5-10, 175) is a talented, fast ball carrier who was a top flight hurdler on the track team this spring.

Senior newcomer CONNOR KLEIN (6-1, 215) could see action in the backfield in addition to working with the linebacker corps. Tough junior HOLDEN SMYSER (6-0, 210) is a bruiser who also may get reps at inside linebacker.

QUARTERBACK

Senior THOMAS “TK” KNYAL (6-0 175) returns at quarterback. He completed 58% of his passes for 1,764 yards and 17 TDs for the Angelus League champs last fall.

Junior newcomer ASHTON PANNELL (6-3, 190) already boasts several FBS offers and could very well end up earning the starting nod behind center or at least see substantial playing time.

Sophomore quarterback MATT SMITH (6-2, 185) has a strong, accurate arm and will serve as a very capable back up signal caller.

DEFENSIVE LINE/OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

The defensive line and Edge positions promise to be a big team strength. SCOTT TAYLOR is a dominating Edge/OLB. He was the Angelus League defensive MVP last season. Taylor was also named to the Los Angeles Times All-Star team. At 6-4, 232, Taylor blends strength and speed impressively. Last season he had 77 tackles, including 23 solo stops, six sacks and 33 hurries. Make no mistake about it, Taylor will set the tone for the Cub ‘Wolfpack’ defense.

Junior MAX MEIER (6-5, 244) has all the top end tools for a defensive end. He missed most of his sophomore campaign due to injury, but he is primed to have a breakout year. He already has a Big Ten scholarship offer.

New arrival ZION SCRIVENS (6-0, 265) is a monster up front. He has the skill set to be a dominating player.

Senior DECLAN O’LIONAIN (6-2, 274) returns after a solid junior season, and is expected to be a key cog on the defensive front.

Junior SILAS NUR (6-4, 211) has a non-stop motor and will get reps at the end positions.

Sophomore newcomer LUCAS MEYER (6-4, 240) brings excellent strength and athleticism to the defensive front.

INSIDE LINEBACKER

Senior inside linebacker HENRY CASANI (6-2, 215), an All-State underclass selection last fall, is a rock in the middle. He recorded 127 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2023. He recently accepted a lacrosse scholarship offer from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Junior newcomer DAEQUAN JEFFES (5-11, 191) is strong and fast. He, senior CONNOR KLEIN and junior HOLDEN SMYSER will see action inside.

SECONDARY

Junior All-American corner BRANDON LOCKHART (6-3, 171) has it all . . . speed, freaky athleticism, toughness and a nose for the football. He returned an interception 90 yards for a touchdown last fall in his second season as a varsity starter. He has scholarship offers from multiple big-time football powerhouses such as USC, Georgia and Notre Dame.

Senior BROCK BOJORQUEZ (5-11, 180) is a solid corner who recorded 51 tackles and had an interception last fall.

Senior DB DESI VALDES (5-10, 175) might be the most underrated player on the team. He plays with great passion. Valdes made 88 tackles and snagged an interception last fall. He also is a standout kick returner.

Junior PETER SCIARRINO (5-11, 186) is a hard hitting safety who brings downhill physicality to the secondary. He is an extremely hard worker in the weight room.

There are many other players, including some sophomores and precocious freshmen, who have the chance to step up during the next couple weeks before the scrimmage at Carson on Thursday, August 15. An update on personnel will be coming before that scrimmage.

Loyola’s trip down the “yellow brick road” through the Mission League this fall will be a challenging journey, but a talented crew of 14 returning starters, including three All-State underclass athletes, and a group of impact newcomers could end up surprising.

EXTRA POINTS

Loyola grad ALEX JOHNSON ‘18, who had a standout career as a nickel for UCLA is in his first season with the NFL’s New York Giants. His locker is next to former Loyola All-American DB DAVID LONG, JR. ‘16 who arrived in New York from the Green Bay Packers this spring . . . Former Loyola All-CIF lineman Sam Yoon ‘16 was the only football player selected to the ALL-Academic Team (all sports) at UCLA; he majors in Mechanical Engineering and has the highest GPA on the Bruins’ football squad. . . Loyola‘s volleyball team was crowned National Champion for the second consecutive season, and has four national titles all-time . . . The Cubs have won one football National Championship (1975), finished second in the nation in 1963 and were 15th in the nation in 2000.

SCHEDULE UPDATE

The 2024 Loyola varsity football schedule underwent a change. Culver City is no longer a non-league opponent. The fifth non-league contest will be played in San Diego County on September 27 against Mount Miguel of Spring Valley. Mount Miguel finished the 2023 season with a 12-2 record and won the CIF San Diego Section Division 3 championship. It was the school’s first CIF title since 1960.

EARLY RANKINGS

Since the CIF Southern Section began utilizing the competitive equity formula for placing teams in playoff divisions, it has used the CalPrep rankings as they stand after the conclusion of regular season games.

In its early rankings (before coaches updated their personnel for the 2024 season) Loyola and its opponents’ CalPreps state ratings were as follows (in order):

4th - Sierra Canyon

17th - Serra (Gardena)

25th - Damien

35th - LOYOLA

44th - Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks)

45th - Bishop Amat

47th - Chaminade

63rd - Leuzinger

103rd - Cathedral

111th - St. Francis

205th - Mount Miguel (Spring Valley)

2024 LOYOLA VARSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

8-15 @ Carson (scrimmage)

8-23 @ Cathedral

8-30 Damien (Home)

9-13 @ Leuzinger

9-20 @ St. Francis

9-27 @ Mount Miguel (Spring Valley

10-4 Serra (Home)

10-11 @ Bishop Amat

10-18 Chaminade (Home)

10-25 @ Sierra Canyon

11-1 Notre Dame (Home)

All games on Fridays @ 7:00 p.m.,except Carson scrimmage on Thursday, August 15 @ 6:30 p.m.