Football: Loyola’s focus is on being physical and running the ball

One of the most interesting stories to follow this fall is the transition from college coaching to high school coaching going on at Los Angeles Loyola, where former USC and Nebraska assistant Marvin Sanders has taken over as head coach.

“We’re growing as a team. I’m learning more every day. We’re going to be counting on a lot of young guys for big roles,” Sanders said.

What’s clear is that Sanders wants his team to be physical, and running the ball will be a major focus.

The strength of the Cubs is up front, with seniors John Turner (6-5, 265 pounds) and Chris Brown (6-6, 285). Nico Evans, a member of the state’s second fastest 400-meter relay team, leads a group of running backs that figure to get the ball often. Two powerful juniors, Darryl Willoughby and David Cooper, will also be counted on to carry the ball.

Of course, the inability to be effective in the passing game left the Cubs vulnerable last season, and Sanders is hopeful that running the ball successfully will create passing opportunities.

Whether the Cubs will be good enough to make the Pac-5 playoffs from a Serra League that includes Alemany, Crespi, Bishop Amat and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame remains to be seen.

But Sanders has surrounded himself with some highly regarded assistant coaches, including former USC assistant Kennedy Polamalu. They used to recruit some of the players they will be facing. That’s going to be intriguing itself.

Eric.sondheimer@latimes.com