October 2, 2023

Cub Football - What direction will Cubs take in aftermath of St. Francis loss? A look at St. Paul

WHICH DIRECTION ARE CUBS HEADED?
On the heels of four consecutive losses, including last Friday's disheartening 26-21 road setback at the hands of arch rival St. Francis in the Angelus League opener in La Canada, a fair question to ask is which direction the Cubs are headed as they embark on the final four game stretch of their regular season slate.

In the season to date the parts unfortunately have been less than the whole for a team that has lost three consecutive winnable games. Loyola out-gained St. Francis 285 yards to 230, but the Cubs were hampered by multiple penalties and turnovers. Two weeks ago, Loyola lost to Oaks Christian in another turnover-marred contest while totaling 330 yards to the Lions' 180, and against Chaminade on September 15th the Cubs had the ball on the Eagles five yard down seven points with seconds left on the game clock only to be penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct which ended up keeping them from tying or winning the road game. As Bill Parcells famously said, "You are what your record says you are." And Loyola is 1-5. The win-loss ledger is not based on total yards or "should have, would have" excuses.

Loyola controls its own destiny. 

The simple truth is that the Cubs will need to play four complete games to end up with  .500 record. Loyola probably has to win three of its four remaining conference contests to have a shot at making the CIF Southern Section playoffs. So the Cubs are at an inflection point in the 2023 campaign. Which direction will they go will be determined this Friday when they host a physical, hungry St. Paul team.

A LOOK AT ST. PAUL
First year Swordsmen head coach Mike Moschetti is committed to returning St. Paul football to the glory days enjoyed under legendary head mentor Marijon Ancich, and thus far, he has his troops headed in the right direction. The Swordsmen are 3-3 after a lopsided win over Crespi in the conference opener last Friday. St. Paul beat a good Newport Harbor team in its opener, 24-22; came within a whisker of upsetting Bishop Amat in a 29-28 loss; crushed West Ranch, 42-7; was tripped up by a tough Downey squad, 17-7; lost to Servite of the Trinity League, 34-13; and trounced Crespi 48-7.

Andrew Maushardt, the Swordsmen's starting QB, was sidelined with what was reported to be a season ending injury three weeks ago, but quick, athletic sophomore Gabriel Castaneda (5-11, 165) has proven an able replacement behind center. He has completed 67% of his passes, averaging 9.8 yards per completion. Rugged senior running back Christian Melendez (6-0, 200) averages 103.2 rushing yards (7.6 yards per carry) per game, has scored 10 TDs and is the tip of the St. Paul offensive sword. The Swordsmen, who average 27 points per contest, impose their will with a powerful run game behind a big O-line. Senior receiver Orlando Zepeda (6-0, 175) may be St. Paul's best athlete. He averages over 15 yards per reception.

The swarming Swordsmen defense, which relinquishes an average of 19 points per game, is led by senior outside linebacker Devaughn Garner-Egans (6-0, 205), who has 30 tackles and one interception. Two-way DB standout Orlando Zepeda leads the team with three interceptions. Senior corner Ty Bowers (5-11,175) is the stop unit's second leading tackler with 27.

GAME OUTLOOK
The keys to victory for Loyola will be slowing down the Swordsmen's powerful rushing attack, while running the ball effectively itself on offense. The Cubs cannot afford to be one dimensional offensively. Meanwhile, St. Paul will take shots in the passing game, and Loyola will need to be alert in the secondary. The contest will come down to which team plays the hardest on every down for a full 48 minutes.

THE SERIES
The Loyola - St. Paul rivalry dates back to 1975 when the two California prep football Goliaths met in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in the CIF Southern Section AAAA championship game, won by the undefeated Cubs, 14-13, in a brutally hard fought battle for the ages. Loyola was thereafter crowned National High School Champions by the National Sports News Service. The Cubs lead the series 18-6-1 (78%). 

PRE-GAME
Loyola parents, alumni and fans will meet at El Cholo on Western Avenue at 4:30 before the game on Friday.

2023 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE/ RESULTS