Football Preview: Loyola Cubs vs. Newbury Park Panthers
The Loyola Cubs will take on the Newbury Park Panthers at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Loyola has given up an average of 28.5 points per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Loyola is headed into Friday's contest looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their third straight games on Friday. They were beaten by Sierra Canyon 52-3. While losing is never fun, the Cubs can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' California football rankings (they are ranked 174th, while the Trailblazers are ranked fourth).
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Newbury Park, who bounced back after a loss on the road two weeks ago. They blew past Rio Mesa 49-7 on Friday. That looming 49-7 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Panthers yet this season.
Loyola better keep an eye on Darrien Johnson. He was instrumental in Newbury Park's win, rushing for 111 yards and four touchdowns on only ten carries, while also throwing for 136 yards and one TD while completing 76.9% of his passes. Johnson's longest rush was for an impressive 52 yards, which helps to explain his lofty yards per carry total. Vincent Carner also helped out with an impressive 93 receiving yards.
Newbury Park didn't let much get past them through the air: they limited Rio Mesa to a completion percentage of just 33.3%. That dominant aerial defense primarily came from five players: Balen Betancourt, Brandon Curry, Charlie Ward, Rally Sperry, and Christian Payne, who each logged one passes deflected. Newbury Park has been improving in that area: they had allowed a completion percentage of 0.64 earlier this season, but they've only allowed one of 0.64 in their last three games.
Newbury Park's defense didn't let Zachary Harris, get away unscathed either: they got into the backfield for three sacks. The team can thank three different players for their defensive prowess: Betancourt, Carter Taylor, and Blake Gibson, who each picked up one sack apiece. Devin Ortega got in on the action too, converting a pick into a touchdown.
The win got Newbury Park back to even at 5-5. As for Loyola, their loss dropped their record down to 4-6.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
