The562’s coverage of girls’ flag football is sponsored by the Los Angeles Chargers.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.
It wasn’t how they wanted to end it, but the Long Beach Poly flag football team sure left behind a season to remember. The Jackrabbits took the trip South bound on the 405 to Irvine for their CIF-SS Division 2 semifinals matchup at Northwood, but were unable to get their offense going in a 18–6 loss.
The loss puts an end to a historic season for the young sport at Poly, where the Jackrabbits earned their second league championship and made a semi finals appearance in the first year of flag football playoffs. Jackrabbits coach Rob Shock gave an emotional speech concluding the loss, reminding his team how much they mean to him.
“For the girls, it’s been a great season. I love these girls. I love their effort. I love everything they gave to us,” he said. “I told them that this is part of life and we have to learn through adversity. I will always be there for them in whatever they do, and we’ll move forward. It’s a struggle, it’s not a good feeling, but eventually with time it’ll pass. It would’ve been nice.”
The Jackrabbits rightfully looked to their seniors Aaya Mclyn and Ki’ele Ho-Ching early on, and while they’re never truly unstoppable, Northwood came in expecting the pass and limited the air-game to a minimum. On one pass intended for Mclyn on the Jackrabbits second drive, Northwood’s Natalie Keith stepped in front for a Timberwolf interception.
Keith, a QB and safety, rolled out to the right side on the Wolves ensuing drive before throwing across her body to Elisa Kung for the games first score. Northwood was unsuccessful at their PAT try and led 6-0 in the first half.
“It was a very slow start. We had the plays there but we just couldn’t make the connections,” Shock said. “The plays were there but we just weren’t getting it done. We struggled and can’t win games if we’re turning over the ball.”
Northwood relied on first-down runs and short passes, including a drive before the half that saw two connections of Keith to Hailey Brennan. Keith then connected with Jessie Wendt for her second touchdown to take a 12-0 lead headed into the half.
“[Those short gains] add up,” said sock. “Five to seven yards three times, I mean you’re talking about 20 yards which is a first down. It’s what they do well and that’s what we were concerned about. They’re very well coached and very well structured. They made the plays they were supposed to. We didn’t, and that’s what it came down to.”
After another Keith interception, she then went back in at quarterback to throw her third touchdown on a connection to Brennan to go up 18-0. Keith finished the game with an eye-popping three passing touchdowns and caught two interceptions.
Poly found their only score at the end of the second half after a connection to the five-yard line of Mclyn to Ho-Ching. The pair then linked up again on the next play in the right side of the endzone for a leaping touchdown grab by Ho-Ching. The Jackrabbits concluded the game’s scoring to make it 18-6.
“I wish the outcome was different but we played a great team,” credited Shock. “They were very disciplined. They ran a great system and they were very competitive and gritty. They did everything they needed to do and beat us.”
Northwood will go on to face Trabuco Hills in the CIF-SS Division 2 championship on Saturday at El Modena High School.
