Long Beach Poly bounces back with Wilson’s win in ‘Big Game’ – The562.org

The562’s football coverage 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 Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, born in 2009.

Long Beach Poly entered Friday night’s game at Wilson desperately needing a win after losing at Millikan last week, which ended their 81-game winning streak in the Moore League. The Jackrabbits found themselves in a closer game than in most of their 92 meetings with their rivals in another incarnation of the Big Game, Long Beach’s longest sports tradition. But with a strong second half that saw them pull away from the Bruins, the Jackrabbits won 42-19, securing another rival victory – they haven’t lost to Wilson since 1991.

“The team was ready to play a complete game. After a week of hearing what we couldn’t do, it was a week of what we will do,” Poly coach Stephen Barbee said. “We went into this game knowing we were going to run the ball, and that’s exactly what we did…It was an outstanding game from our running backs and offensive line, and the unsung heroes of the night were our wide receivers.”I saw more big hits and blocks from them – they got dirty. This is selfless play.”

Poly amassed nearly 300 yards rushing and five touchdowns, while Tristan Ventura had 24 carries for 151 yards and two touchdowns, Jaden Hernandez had three runs with two scores, QB Deuce Jefferson ran one in and speedster running back Ben Harries had 10 carries for 89 yards , before leaving the game with an injury.

It was a big night for Hernandez, who had two offensive touchdowns and four tackles on defense, served as a punter for Poly and also fell on a muffed snap for a touchdown on defense.

“I love this game, whenever I can be on this field I just appreciate it and do my best,” he said. “All the hard work all week is paying off on the field.”

Hernandez said Poly did a good job at practice this week.

“We just shook it off and looked to the next game,” he said. “You can’t look into the past, it messes up the future. So we trained ten times harder and came in tonight with a fighting attitude.”

The game started in Wilson’s favor as the Bruins had a four-plus minute first drive for a touchdown, with Mack Cooper hitting Maxwell Barbee for a big gain and then hitting him again on a 25-yard touchdown to put the Bruins in the lead To raise barriers. The teams traded three-and-outs before the Jackrabbits got the ball and began pounding it with defenders Harris and Ventura calling every play for them as the Jackrabbits reached the Bruins’ three-yard line where Jefferson received him himself.

Poly linebacker Jordan Moreno intercepted Cooper on the next drive and Harris took Poly to the one-yard line for Hernandez to tuck in, giving Poly a 14-6 lead.

The Bruins’ response was impressive, however, as Cooper and Barbee combined for another 26 yards – Barbee finished the game with four catches for 91 yards. Cooper hit Jaden Frauchiger for an 11-yard score that brought the Bruins within two points, 14-12.

Then came a strange sequence in which there were four turnovers in five plays, as Wilson’s Kaden Draper recovered a Harris fumble, then Tracy Jones III fumbled Cooper, then Barbee Jefferson fended off, then Hernandez fell into the end zone on an errant snap Poly led 21-12 at halftime.

The Jackrabbits also led the Rams at halftime last week before the Rams overwhelmed them with their running game in the second half. Poly put together an impressive 11-run, one-pass drive and needed more than seven minutes to get a one-yard score from Ventura to make the score 28-12. The Bruins’ defense stepped up on their next attack, with linebacker Jalen Nelson getting a big sack on third-and-short.

The Bruins scored on a touchdown from Cooper to Thomas Jones, but opted to kick an extra point rather than attempt to make it a one-score game with a two-point conversion; That gave Poly a 28-19 lead, and they quickly increased that lead with another ground-and-pound drive capped by a Hernandez touchdown that made the score 35-19.

Jones III effectively ended the game with an interception on the next drive, setting up another Ventura score and ending the score for the night. It was a big night for Jones, who led the Poly defense with two interceptions.

“It was a good night, we had to hang in there,” Jones said. “We have to show the world what we stand for.”

Jones III, like many Poly players, had a lot of draws on the other sideline, which contributed to his motivation.

“I’m happy to show them, they were talking openly and we had to show them what we’re all about,” he said.

Barbee praised Jones III for the second interception he made.

“He had a great night, the second choice was great,” Barbee said. “The first play was a nice play with an overturned ball, but the second play was driving a tight ball through contact. We preached growth and we continued to do so. We still have two weeks to prepare for the playoffs.”

Long Beach Poly will host Cabrillo for Homecoming next week, while Wilson will travel to Jordan.