Long Beach Poly has its first winning streak of the season after defeating Moore League archrival Lakewood, 27-14 on Friday night at Veterans Stadium, in a game that most believed would crown this season’s league champion.
Poly had won 28 consecutive league titles until last year, when Lakewood ended the streak and took home the hardware. This season, the Lancers have been seen as one of the best teams in the entire state. Those expectations, coupled with an undefeated record and impressive No. 3 ranking in the PAC-5 Division poll had many thinking that Lakewood was the odds-on favorite to beat Poly again.
The Jackrabbits came into the contest clinging to a No. 10 PAC-5 ranking and nursing a 3-2 overall record after a brutal preseason schedule with losses to powerhouses St. Bonaventure and Mission Viejo. But none of that mattered once the players hit the field.
Long Beach Poly (4-2, 2-0) scored on their opening drive and outplayed Lakewood (5-1, 1-1) in all aspects of the game, taking advantage of a big night from quarterback Chaiyse Hales and shutting down the high-octane Lakewood offense with power tackling and a heat-seeking secondary. Hales completed his first six passes for 82 yards, finishing 15-17 for 182 yards and two touchdowns. The senior also ran for a score.
Poly began the game with an emphatic 75-yard drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown run from fullback Jeremiah Hollowell. But after the Jackrabbits muffed a punt reception in their own territory, Lakewood answered on a 1-yard score by Rashad Wadood to even things up at 7-7.
On the very next drive, though, Hales marched Poly 84 yards down the field and finished the drive off himself with a 1-yard dive into the end zone. Lakewood struggled to move the ball on offense and went into halftime trailing 14-7.
It took only a few seconds for more fireworks. Lancer running back Alley Long returned the opening third quarter kickoff 100 yards for an electrifying touchdown that seemed to put Lakewood in excellent position for a rally. But it was Hales again for Poly, leading an 86-yard drive that ended with a perfect 18-yard strike to tight end Earnest Pettway over the middle that put the Jackrabbits ahead for good. Hales would throw another touchdown on a well-placed fade route to Josiah Blandin to end the third quarter, and Poly held on to that 27-14 lead until it was a final score.
“I’m just happy we won,” said Poly head coach Raul Lara. “It’s only one game, but it was a game in three facets: Offense, defense and special teams. All three worked great today.”
The Jackrabbit defense worked better than great. It was exceptional, limiting the normally dynamic Long to just 41 yards on 13 carries (four of which gained no yards). The secondary was everywhere, delivering huge hits on Lancer receivers and knocking down several passes from quarterback Tyler Schultz. He finished 7-15 for 96 yards.
“We need to get better,” said Lakewood head coach Thadd MacNeal, specifically noting difficulties running the ball and converting third downs. “We’ll study the film, correct our mistakes, coach them real hard and we’ll move on.”
Lara, who earlier in the season said he believed this Poly team was capable of a national championship, was very pleased with the win but kept his focus long-term on the team’s goals to win league, C.I.F. and state titles.
“I just hope that this wasn’t just a one game wonder,” said Lara. “We’ve got to keep it going now.”
Cabrillo 22, Compton 14 (OT)
We told you in our 2010 season preview that coaches around the Moore League had their eyes on Cabrillo, despite the fact that the Jaguars hadn’t won a single game since 2007. After a double-overtime win over Compton on Friday, Cabrillo stands at .500 and is undefeated in the Moore League thanks to a 22-yard touchdown pass from Derek Stewart to Darren Johnson for the 22-14 win.
Wilson 41, Millikan 6
Two Moore League teams had a chance to make a statement in this one, and it was Wilson coming away as the clear front-runner to challenge the local big dogs in Lakewood and Poly after running through the Rams. Quarterback Brett Harper threw for a touchdown and ran for another as the Bruins ran away with this game early to become the third Moore League team that’s undefeated in league.
Moore League Standings
Long Beach Poly (#10) 4-2 (2-0) WON 27-14 over Lakewood
Cabrillo Jaguars 3-3 (2-0) WON 22-14 over Compton
Wilson Bruins 3-2 (1-0) WON 41-6 over Millikan
Lakewood (#3) 5-1 (1-1) LOST to Poly 14-27
Jordan Panthers 2-3 (0-1) BYE
Compton Tarbabes 2-4 (0-2) LOST to Cabrillo 14-22
Millikan Rams 1-5 (0-2) LOST to Wilson 6-41