A stellar group of athletes in the Class of 2025 helped establish Long Beach Poly as the first Moore League powerhouse in girls’ flag football. The Jackrabbits were early pioneers in the sport, and were one of the top teams in Southern California a season ago.
Led by head coach Rob Shock, the veteran Jackrabbits won 20 games, went 12-0 against the Moore League, and made a run to the CIF-SS Division 2 semifinals, where they fell to eventual champion Northwood on the road.
That senior class–including All-American and Moore League Player of the Year Aaya McLyn–left their mark on the program, but it’s now time for a new crop of players to step into the spotlight. What remains on the roster is a strong crop of returners, along with some exciting new talent hoping to keep Poly atop the standings this year.
“It is a lot more coaching and educating, just getting the girls familiar with the sport,” said Shock of the different challenge this season. “I’m trying to get them as much playing time as possible, being patient and also very repetitive on what we do.”
With a younger roster, the Jackrabbits benefit from adding a former head coach to the staff with the arrival of Leilani Utupo. After coaching at Lakewood the past two seasons, Utupo made the move to Poly earlier this year along with her husband, Justin, who’s coaching the boys’ football team.
Shock said it’s great to have an experienced coach who can help lead the defense while he works with a number of moving pieces on the offensive side of the ball.
“It’s a big help,” said Shock of Utupo. “We have great respect for each other. And having a woman on the staff relating to the young ladies, being able to talk to them, and then really teaching. The kids get the benefit of two head coaches coaching them, and we need it. We’re young.”
Shock said that during a recent tournament the Jackrabbits had just one senior playing–a stark contrast from the seven senior starters Poly had in 2024.
The most experienced players on the roster come from the softball program, led by senior wide receiver Janelle Morris and senior Ki’ele Ho-Ching, who has been a key contributor on both sides of the ball.
“We have a very young team this year, but I’m excited to help everyone progress and grow together as a team,” said Ho-Ching. “I just have to be a role model for them, whether it’s on the field or off. We’ve already set goals for ourselves as far as grades and on the field as well. I am one of the oldest ones on the team, and I’ve never really been that before, so it’s different, but I like it. I feel like I’m a natural leader.”
The Jackrabbits will likely have a number of players spending time at quarterback this season as they do their best to replace McLyn. Kenzie Paimany has experience, but the junior is recovering from injury and has an uncertain timeline.
The job could fall to freshman Nevaeh Johnson, who Shock says is a great athlete with the characteristics to handle the position, she’ll just need time to learn the ropes.
Sophomore Bailey Holder got a lot of playing time at receiver as a freshman and is capable of playing a number of positions, including quarterback. Her instincts on the field will be valuable for the rebuilding Jackrabbits.
“I love the pressure,” said Holder of taking on a bigger role this season. “I love having people count on me for stuff, and knowing that I can do my part and make them all proud. So yeah, I’m definitely excited.”
Another key playmaker is junior Brooklyn Richardson, who will play both sides of the ball and should also step in at quarterback. She’s probably the most naturally gifted football player on the roster and has experience playing QB for her club teams.
“I’ve been throwing the ball for a long time, but playing on a team and being quarterback, it’s a different feeling,” said Richardson on her new role this season. “Because I’ve played with them before, and I already know how they work, and how they move, it’s easier. So it’s not that big of a deal for me.”
Poly will also bring back junior running back Neela Bagley and senior Nefi Williams was a huge playmaker last season at cornerback.
The defense will be much less experienced, but Shock is optimistic that new talent like sophomore Mia Ochoa, and juniors Maia Stefan, Kali Soth and Monica Goggins will be able to step in and contribute at the varsity level.
Junior I’Kaika Afemate will be used at linebacker and as a blocker in the backfield, and junior Sunni Vaafuti is back at center and linebacker as well.
Transfer Lailani Davis should also be a factor at wide receiver and defensive back. The senior was actually a volleyball player who transferred down from Northern California and is a Poly legacy. Her dad, Kevin Davis, also played football for the Jackrabbits.
Long Beach Poly will open the Moore League season with a big home game against Millikan on Monday, Aug. 25. The Jackrabbits have never lost a Moore League game in flag football, and there will be a new batch of players looking to keep that streak alive in the season ahead.
