Cub Football - Tatum has big passing night as Cubs cruise to 41-20 win over Mira Mesa
LOYOLA USES AERIAL ATTACK TO RECORD FOURTH WIN OF SEASON
San Diego Mira Mesa was a late add-on to Loyola’s schedule and made the long trek to Los Angeles Friday with a heavy heart as the Mauraders’ head coach, Chris Thompson, passed away recently. Mira Mesa played hard, but could not keep pace with the Cubs, who prevailed, 41-20, at Smith Field to improve their record to 4-1.
Quarterback JOE TATUM and his talented receiving corps were the catalysts of Loyola’s win. With good protection by the Cub offensive line, TATUM finished the game with an impressive stat line. The senior signal caller completed 12 of 15 (80%) passes for 231yards and four touchdowns to lead Loyola’s offensive attack.
After the Cubs’ ‘Wolfpack’ defense forced Mira Mesa to punt on its first possession, the Cubs wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Loyola covered 78 yards on just three plays, scoring on a 17-yard pass from TATUM to junior receiver BAYLIN BROOKS at the 5:23 mark of the first quarter. Senior JACKSON SHEA’s PAT kick put the Cubs up, 7-0. Senior All-CIF tailback TAHJ OWENS sprinted 57 yards on the second play of the drive.
On Loyola’s second offensive possession TATUM again found BROOKS streaking down the home team’s sideline, and the junior speedster raced 60 yards for a TD with 29 seconds remaining in the first quarter. SHEA’s kick upped the Big Blue’s lead to 14-0.
Senior outside linebacker RAMAN ENIGBOKAN tipped a Marauder pass and senior defensive lineman SHAWN LINN intercepted it at the Mira Mesa 40-yard line. The ensuing Cub drive stalled and Loyola’s 29-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right.
The Marauders capitalized on the momentum created by the Cubs’ missed field goal try as they scored in just two plays. A 50-yard run was followed by a 30-yard TD pass from accurate quarterback Alex Zappia to electric wide receiver Tajon Evans, who put up big numbers on the night. The PAT kick closed the gap to 14-7 with 3:29 left in the second quarter.
Loyola answered immediately, driving 59 yards in six plays, capped by a five yard pass to senior wide ot PETER VANIS with 1:03 remaining before halftime. SHEA’s PAT kick gave the Cubs’ a 21-7 lead heading into the locker room.
The second half began with an eight play, 56-yard Loyola drive capped by a three-yard OWENS run at the 8:39 mark of the third quarter. SHEA’s kick increased the Cubs’ lead to 28-7.
Mira Mesa did not fold, as the Marauders drove 80 yards in 11 plays to score on a seven-yard pass to narrow Loyola’s lead to 28-14.
One of the biggest plays of the game came on the Cubs’ next possession when SHEA boomed a 58-yard punt which was downed at the Mira Mesa one-yard line. The ‘Wolfpack’ stepped up, forcing the Marauders to punt out of their own end zone. The punt was blocked and Loyola recovered the ball at the Mira Mesa two-yard line. OWENS carried the rock into pay dirt on the first play, and SHEA’s PAT kick made the score 35-14 with 11:35 left in the final stanza.
Another Zappia TD pass to Evans from 27 yards out with 3:54 left in the contest capped a 90-yard Marauder drive to make the score 35-20.
On the first play of Loyola’s final possession TATUM threw a short pass to VANIS, who turned on the jets, scoring a 52-yard touchdown with 3:37 left in the game to make the final score 42-20 following the PAT kick.
Cub junior corner ELIJAH BRADLEY intercepted a Mira Mesa pass to put the game on ice.
in addition to Tatum’s outstanding passing effort, OWENS carried the ball 10 times for 81 yards (8.1 yards per carry) and caught four passes for 67 yards (16.8 yards per reception). He averaged 10.1 yards per touch.
Loyola’s defense did not have its best outing of the season, but much credit is due to the Marauders’ excellent passing attack. It is doubtful the Cubs will see a more talented wide receiver than Evans this season.
Next Friday Loyola will take a trip to Manhattan Beach to duke it out with Mira Costa (2-2). The Mustangs routed West Torrance, 40-14, on Friday night.