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 Cabrillo Athletics is sponsored by the Cohn Family.
The Long Beach Poly football team doesn’t know if Friday night’s 129th Homecoming game against Cabrillo will be the Jackrabbits’ last game at Veterans Memorial Stadium, which has been their home since 1950. If it was, Poly went out on a high note as they played their most complete game of the year in a 48-3 win over Cabrillo that saw the clock begin to run midway through the second quarter.
“We’re just trying to continue to get better as a team and to continue to develop an identity,” said Poly coach Stephen Barbee. “I thought we did that for the most part tonight–there’s still things to work on and clean up.”
Barbee acknowledged the history that Poly has at Vets, a stadium that was built with public funds in 1950 after a letter was sent home from Poly and Wilson football alums who were fighting overseas in World War II. The Jackrabbits are one of many school’s who’ve called the stadium home since, including LBCC (which now owns the stadium and is planning on replacing it with a new, upgraded version) and Long Beach State.
Tons of Poly NFL players and iconic games have taken place at the historic stadium.
“It’s honestly an iconic place for Southern California football,” said Barbee. “So many games, so many athletes that started here. We hope to get a few more home games here in the playoffs and win every game we play. There’s something so special about it.”
The Jackrabbits opened by stopping the Jaguars at midfield, then quickly scoring a touchdown on a one-yard run by Jaden Hernandez. After that Damien Matau picked off Cabrillo QB Fernando Leanos and took it back to the house to quickly put Poly up 14-0. The Jaguars went three-and-out but hopped on a muffed punt by Poly to set themselves up just 12 yards from paydirt. The Poly defense again held firm, but Cabrillo kicker Javi Palomares was able to convert a 25 yard field goal to put the Jags on the board.
Poly quickly responded and scored a touchdown by Harry Johnson. The Jackrabbits added sores on a 50-yard reception by Juju Johnson, a 10-yard completion from Deuce Jefferson to Ezekiel Orozco, a fumble return for a touchdown by Matau, and another Orozco reception.
Matau said he was happy with how his team’s defense played, allowing just three points despite having some short porches due to the muffed punts.
“Everybody stepped up and did their job, we stuck with our alignment and assignment and got the job done,” he said.
Poly (4-5) will travel to face Compton next week at Dominguez on Friday at 7pm while Cabrillo (2-7) will host Jordan.
