Additional reporting by Tyler Hendrickson 

For the first time all season, Long Beach Poly head coach Raul Lara gave the game ball to someone other than the Poly defense.  That’s largely due to quarterback Morgan Fennell’s performance, as he set out to make a statement in tonight’s homecoming game against the Millikan Rams at Veteran’s Stadium.  The ball went out to “Fennell and Kaelin Clay,” whom Fennell connected with on a Chris Lewis-esque 80 yard touchdown pass.  Fennell said that play was “a good confidence booster for the offense,” stating that Lara had to “calm the offense down a bit.”  It was for this reason that Fennell only played through the first drive of the second half.  Still, the senior quarterback finished 4 for 9 (there were a couple of long passes that were thrown well but dropped) with 128 yards and a touchdown, leading the ‘Rabbits to a 50-7 victory.  The Poly ground game was its usual self tonight, recording 5 touchdowns on 33 carries with 255 yards.  The ‘Rabbits went with 8 different running backs over the course of the game, including Cory Westbrook who showed a return to form (after arthroscopic knee surgery) when he broke for a 51-yard touchdown in the second quarter. 

The Rams, however, can find comfort in starting quarterback Jake Holtz’s performance.  Holtz went 5 of 8 with 58 yards and the Rams’ only touchdown of the night, connecting with receiver Alden Darby from 8 yards out.  Those numbers are a lot better when you consider he posted them against one of the nation’s stingiest defenses.  Holtz only played the first half, though, and Chad Hampton finished out the game, going 6 for 17 with 35 yards and two interceptions.  Despite the loss, Millikan head coach Kirk Diego said he was “proud of the guys” for coming out and playing hard against a team that’s “a whole lot bigger, a whole lot faster, and a whole lot stronger.”  When asked about the outcome of the game, Diego said, “Well, I’m glad we got out healthy.”

Poly’s defense kept up the intensity we’ve seen all season, posting 2 interceptions (Matauaina Iosia and Tylor Showe), 2 fumble recoveries (both by Eli Edwards), and a safety (George Daily-Lyles).  In all, the Poly Wall put 9 points on the board, as Iosia took his interception back 90 yards for a touchdown.  After the game, I spoke with linebackers Matthew Jones and George Daily-Lyles and defensive linemen Iuta Tepa and Matauaina Iosia about the season and the rumors of Poly having one of the best defenses in the nation.  Daily-Lyles said, “We don’t take it to heart,” because, as Jones put it: “There’s only one way to go from the top.”  Tepa added, with a smile, “We just go out there and handle business.”  Edwards nodded, unable to comment due to a well-earned post-game snack.

Poly players sporting the spiffy black jerseys Snoop Dogg purchased for them.