On Tuesday I went out to USC to meet with former Lancer linebacker Luthur Brown and ex-Jackrabbits Jurrell Casey and Travon Patterson, who played defensive tackle and receiver respectively.  The three, former rivals, are now teammates at Southern Cal.  That doesn’t mean they restrain from some friendly jawing amongst themselves as they reminisce about their old rivalry games.   

Luthur Brown laughed as he told me the former ‘Rabbits often boast, “We banged y’all.  We bang, bang, banged y’all.”  Since the Lancers were unable to best Poly during Brown’s time on varsity, he said he always fires back: “Well, I banged y’all individually.”  When I asked him about tonight’s semi-final game between the two schools, he told me with confidence, “It’s going to be a showdown.”

 Jurrell Casey and Travon Patterson, on the other hand, aren’t worried about a thing.  “Poly always wins,” Casey said with a smile.  That’s not to say that they think Lakewood is a weak team, as both players acknowledged how difficult it is to advance to the semi-finals, and give Lakewood a lot of respect.  “I haven’t seen Lakewood in the playoffs this long before, so obviously they’re doing something good this year.”   

The trio wished they could attend the game, but since they’re preparing for their own little rivalry game (USC/UCLA, which I guess is as big as Lakewood/Poly), all is forgiven.