The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.
In two seasons of Moore League flag football, not only has Long Beach Poly not lost a league game, but the Jackrabbits have rarely been challenged. But things didn’t come easily for Poly on Monday afternoon on their home field, as they got a test from the Millikan Rams.
Poly’s defense was ultimately able to do the job as the Jackrabbits held on for a 14-7 win, with neither team scoring in the second half.
Head coach Rob Shock noted his team’s struggles finishing drives after halftime, as the Jackrabbits made it inside the Millikan 5-yard-line on three separate occasions but didn’t come away with any points.
“We’re happy that we got the win, but there’s little things we’re gonna work on,” Shock said. “If we’re gonna be better and we’re gonna compete in the playoffs, we have to finish, and those are things that we have to work on. Between the 20s, we’re doing well, but once we get into the red zone, we have to complete it.”
Despite their offensive struggles overall, Poly was actually able to race out to a quick start. Sophomore QB Kenzie Paimany connected with Kiele Ho-Ching on their first play from scrimmage, and the talented senior broke free from her defender and raced to the end zone to give Poly an early 6-0 lead.
The lead would grow on Poly’s next drive as Paimany fired one to Aaya McLyn, who held on through contact near the goal line for Poly’s second score of the day. The Jackrabbits then added a two-point conversion to freshman Bailey Holder, who made a really nice grab in the back of the end zone to make it a 14-0 lead.
But that would be the end of Poly’s offensive output, as the Rams held them scoreless over the final 33+ minutes of game time. That marked a noticeable improvement from the first meeting between these teams, when the Jackrabbits earned a 33-0 win.
“I think we did better defensively. We made a couple of mistakes, a couple missed flags and we got beat a couple of times, but all in all, we definitely played better,” said Millikan head coach Romeo Pellum. “Poly is a really good team. They’ve been doing it for a while and it shows; they do a good job, and I’m glad that we came out here and had a chance to compete. And it was a one touchdown score, not too many teams can say that.”
The Rams were able to put a drive together just before the end of the first half, finally breaking through against a stingy Poly defense. QB Holly Ibarra found a go-to target in Kate Martin, hitting her three times on that drive including a short TD pass with just seconds left on the clock. That duo linked up again on the conversion to make it a 14-7 margin at the break.
Martin ended the first half with an interception, and was a key defender for the Rams throughout the day, making a number of open-field tackles to limit Poly’s running game. Katelyn Torres was also a difference-maker in the second half, recording three sacks for the Rams defense.
“When Katelyn’s on the field, she definitely is a problem for the quarterback because she’s so quick to get to the flag,” said Pellum. “And she moves really well laterally since she’s a basketball player. And Kate’s just a dog, you know what I mean? On both sides of the ball, she’s scoring touchdowns, getting interceptions, and she’s a really good player for us.”
But the Poly defense was also up to the challenge and able to protect the lead after halftime. Ho-Ching had an interception in the first half, then it was Nefertiera Williams and McLyn (twice) with picks in the second half to help keep the Rams at bay.
Both teams will face Compton in their next league game, with Poly going on the road on Wednesday and Millikan hosting next Monday.
