The562’s football coverage for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Long Beach Poly alums Wendell “WoWo” Moe, Jr. & Tyson Ruffins.
The562’s coverage of Jordan Athletics is sponsored by former LBUSD superintendent Chris Steinhauser and the Timu Foundation.
Jordan (1-2) hosts Long Beach Poly (1-2) tonight in the annual Battle for Atlantic between the two historic Long Beach schools, both located on Atlantic Avenue.
Both teams picked up their first win of the season in their last contest, and the game will see first-year Panthers coach Alfred Rowe face his alma mater, as he played for the Jackrabbits before he matriculated to USC.
Poly has been rounding into form and is coming off a bye, with some of their injured players returning to the field this evening. The Jackrabbits lost to Leuzinger and Lincoln before getting a win over Tustin, while Jordan fell to Crenshaw and La Canada before getting a win last week over Bell Gardens.
The Jackrabbits have had a stingy defense, with just two touchdowns allowed in the second half of their first three games; their offense has picked up steam, scoring 28 points last game after only scoring 23 points in their first two contests of the season. Jordan’s offense has taken some time to get going, as they scored just 22 points in their last two games. The Panthers’ defense has held their last two opponents to 12 total points, and has been the strength of Jordan’s team thus far.
Poly will travel to Lakewood next week while Jordan will host Charter Oak next week in their final nonleague game.
