The562’s coverage of football in 2024-25 is sponsored by The Terry Donahue Memorial California Showcase.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.
For more than 30 years, Long Beach Poly football coaches have had the philosophy of putting together a tough nonleague schedule to see where the Jackrabbits stand early in the season. This year Poly coach Stephen Barbee did that once again, with Poly facing Mission Viejo (No. 4 in the State), Lincoln (13), Folsom (15), and Serra (17). Under the new CIF-SS playoff format, that approach means one of two things: Poly wins, and gets placed in Division 1 or 2 (as they have the last three years) or they lose and get a favorable playoff position, as they did when they won the CIF-SS D4 title in 2021.
This year, the Jackrabbits fell short in their nonleague schedule and dropped their first Moore League game in 15 years, to Millikan. Those were bitter defeats for Poly fans, but they result in a favorable position in this year’s CIF-SS playoffs, which were announced this morning. The Jackrabbits are in Division 4 and will open up at home against Northview (10-0) at Veterans Memorial Stadium at 7pm on Friday.
“They’re a talented team, to go 10-0 you have to be doing all the little things right consistently,” said Poly coach Stephen Barbee. “They’ve done it in impressive fashion with a running back averaging almost 10 yards a carry and a receiver that’s putting up similar eye-popping stats.”
Poly has started to round into its own in the second half of the season, as QB Deuce Jefferson has gotten in sync with a talent-packed receiving corps led by Kamarie Smith and a young offensive line (with just one senior) has started to open up running lanes. Defensively, Northview poses a big test for a Jackrabbit team that has struggled to stop the run all year–even in a shutout win over Compton, Poly gave up 120 rushing yards last week.
“We’re going to need to play our best football to be able to stop their run and pass,” said Barbee.
The Vikings are led by running back Keanu Tauvao (161 yards per game and 20 touchdowns) and receiver Isaiah Luero (10 touchdowns), who also leads them with four interceptions on defense.
As an extra wrinkle, every game now could be the Jackrabbits’ last game at Vets, which is scheduled for demolition at the end of the season. The venue will play host to the CIF-SS Division 1 championship at the end of the postseason–Poly is hoping to host a Division 4 title there as well.
If Poly can defeat Northview, they’d play the winner of Pacifica/Oxnard (with a coin flip deciding the host) or Laguna Beach (on the road).
Check back with The562 for ticket links, game previews, and more as the high school football playoffs get underway.CLICK HERE to see all the CIF-SS football bracket.
