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.
There are stars all over the field for the Long Beach Poly football team, which has a host of scholarship-offered wide receivers and defensive backs. The attention will largely be on those players when the Jackrabbits take the field tonight at Millikan for the Moore League Super Bowl, a much-hyped clash between the city’s top two teams.
But while the eyes will be on the speedsters on the edges, one of the Jackrabbits’ breakout players this season has been a guy doing the dirt work up front: Jaden Hernandez, who has been featured all over the field for Poly.
“He’s a throwback,” said Poly coach Stephen Barbee of his 6-3, 220 pound wild card transfer from Los Al. “He just wants to play. He’s been at tight end, he’s been at H Back, he’s been at running back. ‘Oh you want me at fullback? No problem.’ He’s played at linebacker, at defensive end, he can play in the slot. He’s punting for us, he can long snap. He doesn’t care.”
Hernandez has been solid at all of those positions, but has immediately been an impact defensive end with what looks like a very bright future at that position. The junior had two sacks against Mission Viejo last week, three against Lakewood, and has been unblockable at times. He brings a combination of speed and strength that are rare in an underclassmen, and he will probably be a big part of what decides tonight’s game between the Jackrabbits and Rams. If Poly can’t stop the run, Millikan is likely to control the game.
“I believe it comes down to being confident in our team, which I very much am,” said Hernandez. “We’re a young team but we’ve got a lot of dogs on our team.”
Hernandez has always seen himself as a receiver, but admitted he’s coming to understand that he may have a future with his hand on the ground rushing the quarterback.
“I’ve been hearing it more and more,” he said with a laugh. “I just, my ego didn’t want to admit it. I thought I was a little shifty.”
Barbee said that wherever Hernandez has lined up, he’s made an impact–and he’s also made an impact in practice every day.
“He’s a kid you love to have in your program, because he’s always smiling, he’s always having fun, always dancing, and he’s a worker,” said Barbee. “He’s been a blessing every since he arrived in this program.”
Hernandez is also a high level rugby player and is considering doing shot put and discus with Poly’s state champion track and field team, and he does carry some speed for a kid with his size and strength as well.
“There’s not much he can’t do,” said Barbee.
