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.
After twelve months of anticipation, the Moore League Super Bowl is here. Regardless of what happens on the field at DeHaven Stadium tonight as Millikan hosts Long Beach Poly, it’s going to be the game everyone remembers from this football season. Last year, the Rams’ narrow loss in overtime to the Jackrabbits put the city on notice: the 2024 Moore League title would be up for grabs.
Poly hasn’t lost a league game on the field since 2009, when they were defeated by Millikan and Lakewood. Prior to that they hadn’t lost since 1996. A year of anticipation and a season of hype come down to 48 minutes of action tonight at 7pm. At practice this week, both teams projected a quiet confidence about their chances.
Poly coach Stephen Barbee is aware that this game carries a little more heft than the average Moore League contest, but he said it hasn’t changed how his team prepared all week.
“In our room, once we start league it’s championship week every week,” he said. “We’re trying to go undefeated in league and get a Moore League championship and move forward after that. I don’t think it’s been anything more than, this is another step. They’re a very good team and we’ve got to execute.”
Rams coach Romeo Pellum also acknowledged that there’s history on the line, but said that hasn’t been his team’s focus.
“Everyone knows, I mean, it’s Long Beach, right?” said Pellum. “But again, it’s the standard that we have. It’s about us doing everything right. People ask me what’s it going to take to beat Poly–it’s about us. It’s a game, there’s going to be a winner and a loser. For us it’s about winning your one on one battle, in your own situation. We’re focused on that.”
Below you’ll find links to all our coverage in the run-up to the game. The562 will be on the field with live updates and full coverage this evening.
