This is week three in a high school football season that will soon separate the pretenders from the real title contenders, but all early indications point to Long Beach Poly being dominant in the Southern Section.
After pasting Crenshaw 54-14 in the season opener under first year coach and alumnus Antonio Pierce, the Jackrabbits have flexed his power from all positions, quarterback, running back and wide receiver. It used to be that few even know the Jackrabbits had a signal caller, but those days have gone.
Josh Love chunked for 230 yards on an efficient 15 for 18 against Crenshaw, but that is not an accurate indication of how good he really is.
Perhaps the real surprise is freshman Rayshawn Williams, a lighting fast receiver who is playing like anything but a first year player.
Meanwhile, while the always dominant Serra Cavaliers stumbled in their quest to have a banner season last year, all signals point to the Cavs being right in the think of things again with hot shot signal caller Caleb Wilson under center.
In the City, it appears the reign of Crenshaw’s championship is gone although it’s much to early to tell.
Coach Robert Garrett refused to even allow for a young reporter to interview him before the season saying the focus should be elsewhere in the City. Perhaps it’s Garrett being Garrett, or the Cougars are not what they were a season ago.
I’d say its probably a bit of both, but don’t hold your breath if you anticipate the Cougars will not come roaring back to be a threat in the post season.
In the meantime there are two Coliseum League foes that are primed to pounce if they slip. One is Dorsey for obvious reason and the other is Locke.
Led by junior star Q. Thomas, who collected 168 all purpose yards and scored a rushing first half touch down in the season opener against Reseda, the Saints will play Crenshaw in the final game of the season.
The Saints did not allow a touchdown in the final half and held on for a thrilling one-point victory, 19-18 in the first night game in the history of the school.
Thomas was fantastic catching 6 passes for 60 yards and throwing 6 passes for 67, including a one yard rushing touchdown.
Running back Malik Jackson was steady all night long against a bigger and more physically imposing Regents squad rushing 17 times for a team high 80 yards including a touchdown.
“This is a very blessing thing. I love it, the fact that we do have lights. I have a couple of coaches on my staff that went to Locke and I am also a Locke graduate. This is big for the community and it’s big for the Locke football family,” stated head coach Duane Horn of the occasion.
Horn not only played for Locke along with Parker in 1995, and hails from a family of football Locke alums, including his father Floyd Horn who played in 1969.
“My dad played here, his brothers played here and my brothers played here so it’s real big to be apart of this. As a son of a football coach who played here and now I played and coach here that’s real big to me and my family.”
However, Horn and his mighty Saints, which went 8-4 last year, have their sights set on defending City D-I Champion Crenshaw.
“We are going after them. Since spring ball we have been yelling league champion after every practice and meeting this year. I love the fact that they are defending City champs, but we want the Coliseum League Championship this year, so we are going after them and Dorsey,” added Horn.
The Saints return four offensive linemen from last year and sophomore running back Amari Goss who injured an ankle in a scrimmage against South Gate and was not available for the opener. Goss rushed for 600 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman.
In addition to Goss, Thomas plays multiple positions including quarterback, kickoff returns and defensive back and senior Michael Wood III was the 2013 Coliseum League Offensive Lineman of the Year.
Moreover, the Saints expect big things from Salesian transfer Christian Pryor who led the team in receiving in the opener with 5 catches for 81 yards and Verbum Dei transfer Tavien Nettles who had the game saving defensive play against Reseda.
Serra’s new stars kept their Cavalier spirit up with a 24-6 victory to start the season.
Scott Altenberg Serra’s head coach had his team dialed in to play four quarters of tough football.
The Cavalier quarterbacks took the helm behind center with two different styles but with equal fire, but it was Lakewood’s quarterback Justin Collins who excited the crowd early with a long touchdown strike to Jaylen McDuffie.
Collins showed off his scrambling ability and his arm throughout the game. But in the end the Cavaliers made more plays with their dual threat, senior signal caller Caleb Wilson who started the game went 8 of 13 for 156 yards. In middle of 4th quarter Wilson’s energy and determination showed through, when the pocket broke to force him to direct traffic before scoring on 18 yard touchdown to secure game 24-6. Backup junior quarterback Khalil Tate who used his legs more finished with 92 yards and electrify bootleg where leaped a Lancer before getting in end zone at 7-6 6:34 2nd quarter.
The game showed to be great test for both teams only being separated by a single touchdown at the half 14-6. A turning point of the game was at the 1:33 mark left in the 3rd quarter when Collins fumbled ball on 7-yard line after a great drive. This turnover was huge to come away with no points for all that hard work.
Serra’s defense bent a little but didn’t break lead by linebackers John Houston 10 tackles and Tysyn Parker 11 tackles on the night. This defensive unit will be key to a great season this year with Serra moving up to Pac-5 for the playoffs this year. The Cavaliers games will only get tougher once league play begins.
Jevone Moore contributed to this story
