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.
The562’s coverage of Jordan Athletics is sponsored by former LBUSD superintendent Chris Steinhauser.
It wasn’t the way anyone wanted it to happen, but the Long Beach Poly football team got their first win of the season on Friday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Jackrabbits outmanned the Panthers and the game was called at halftime for health and safety reasons after running the clock for the entire second quarter. Poly looked sharp on offense, defense, and special teams in limited action in a 33-0 victory.
“We talked the last two weeks about this being the first step in our Moore League journey and the attitude that this program has had for the past couple weeks—continual growth,” said Poly coach Stephen Barbee. “We had two great weeks of practice. We played well on offense and defense and special teams and we were disciplined. As a coach, I just want to see continual growth from the team.”
The Jackrabbits held the Panthers to a three-and-out to start the game and then Julius “Juju” Johnson ran a punt return back to the Jordan four yard line, setting up a Ben Harris touchdown run on the next play. After another Jordan three and out, Poly took over on their own 26 and quarterback Deuce Jefferson orchestrated a quick touchdown drive, hitting Kamarie Smith twice, Kymere Smith for a 52 yard gain, and then handing off to Harris for another touchdown.
Jordan was once again held to a three and out after that, and Poly struck quickly as Jefferson hit Jayden Coley for a 26 yard touchdown that made it 20-0. Poly’s Elijah Pouli recovered a fumble on the ensuing possession, and Jefferson once again struck quickly as he found Johnson for a 27 yard score that made it 26-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Jordan player Tyler Sok was injured on that play, and was taken to the hospital in an ambulance after being immobilized on the field. He was responsive on the field but taken off as a precaution, and was reported to be doing well shortly after the game was called.
Both coaches met with the officials after the thirty minute stoppage and it was decided that they’d forgo kickoffs for the rest of the game, with a running clock initiated at the start of the second quarter. The Panthers got one drive in the second quarter, as Marcus Williams—filling in at quarterback—led them to a pair of first downs. When the drive eventually stalled, the Panthers punted and it was blocked, with Damien Matau returning it for a touchdown that made it 33-0 at the end of the first half.
At that point, Jordan interim coach Eric Richardson made a call, and the game was called. “I’ve got to do what’s best for my kids,” he said after the game.
Poly coach Stephen Barbee said he understood the decision.
“It’s disappointing, but I understand,” he said. “I’ve been a part of teams on the other side of this, and I think as a football coach you need to do what’s right for your team.”
Barbee stressed that his team’s practice philosophy has keyed their improvement.
“We’ve switched around practice and made it a lot more competitive,” he said. “We can only control what we can control. We can’t control whether it’s a running clock in the second quarter or calling it at half. All I can do is prepare my team for it being a hard game. We would have liked to play a full game, but the work we had is the work we had and we’re grateful for it. We’re going to go ahead and prepare for an incredibly talented Lakewood team coming in next week.”
Jefferson finished 6/7 for 139 yards and two scores. Johnson had a 60 yard punt return, a 27 yard touchdown catch, and also filled in at longsnapper for the Jackrabbits. Harris had two carries for nine yards and two touchdowns.
Long Beach Poly (1-3) will host Lakewood back at Veterans Memorial Stadium next week while Jordan (1-4) will have a bye week before traveling to Millikan.
