Poly Football Celebrates 2008 Season With Banquet

“I always say I hate banquets,” Poly football coach Raul Lara began his speech by saying, “Because it means something’s coming to an end.” If you have to end a great season, you want to do it in style, and that’s exactly how the Poly football program said goodbye to its historic 2008 campaign, which brought home its historic 18^th CIF championship.

The banquet (put together by the Poly Football Booster Club, who would make a boatload if they got into the party-planning business) was attended by hundreds of coaches, players, alumni, parents, and fans of the team. After eating dinner, the coaches handed out awards and plaques to team members, as well as recognizing a few special honorees. Many of the coaches noted that this was a special year, with a special group of players that gelled on and off the field—it may be a few years before we see a team like this again, and we were glad to be invited to help recognize their achievements.

There were a number of great moments, like Booster Club president Tippi Hall telling all the players to make sure they came back, but making sure they knew that, “We don’t want to see any of you till you come back with a degree.” “Papa” Don Norford gave a stirring speech about faith and perseverance, the family of Owen M. Scott awarded a scholarship in his memory (to Zakeem Williams), we all found out that one member of the Poly Booster Club is a teacher at Wilson, and Morgan Fennell led his teammates in the “We Are Poly” chant for one last time.

Enjoy this photo gallery from the evening, and if you’re already missing high school football (we are, you can believe it), remember: we’re only a month away from signing day, passing leagues open not too long after that, and the first games are only, oh, eight months or so away. Poly’s already scheduled St. Bonny again, as well as Oceanside, and coach Lara informed the excited crowd that he’s working hard on putting together a game against Oaks Christian, as well as a rematch against Grant, who defeated Poly in the state championship.

“You know I love you guys,” Lara told what is now officially his old team, “But here we go again.”