The562’s Poly and football coverage for the 2026-27 school year is sponsored by Long Beach Poly alums Wendell “WoWo” Moe, Jr. & Tyson Ruffins.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
Saturday night will see a renewal of the city’s oldest sports tradition as Long Beach Poly hosts Wilson in the 94th incarnation of The Big Game, the longstanding rivalry between 100 year-old Wilson and 130 year-old Poly. The game will pit two Moore League unbeatens against each other at Cabrillo at 7pm for the Jackrabbits’ Homecoming game.
Poly (3-4, 1-0) comes into the game as favorites on HSRatings.com but Wilson (2-5, 1-0) comes in possessing the Moore League title trophy after defeating the Jackrabbits last year in one of the most thrilling meetings between the two teams of all time.
“I can be tongue in cheek about how it’s just another game, but we all know this is The Big Game,” said Wilson coach Raudric Curtis after his team defeated Jordan last week. “What we have to do is ground ourselves within that. So I can’t feed into that excitement. I’ve got to feed into the improvement…so we need to be the best team showing up on Saturday.”
Curtis said that he feels his playmakers Kyle Harris and Jermel Grigsby stack up with anyone they’ll see in any game.
“We believe in our speed, I don’t think we’re worried about anybody’s speed,” he said. “We match up very well against them across the board, so we’re going to see if we can do a lot of things really well.”
Harris echoed his coach’s sentiments. The junior has put up gaudy numbers in the special teams game so far this year as one of the state’s top return men, prompting debate online about whether Poly will kick to him or not. Harris said he’s fired up for the game.
“I can’t wait to go against the talent that they’ve got,” he said. “See how I work, and see how our team works in this new season.”
The Bruins plan to use two QBs in year-long starter Logan Trafas as well as Servite transfer Jacob Powell, who made his debut against Jordan last week. The Bruins got off to a rough start but have broken off a couple of get-right victories against Compton (41-7) and Jordan (35-8) following an 0-5 start to the season.
For Poly, the emphasis has been on ‘new season’ after getting their full team eligible last week in a 55-0 win over Lakewood. The Jackrabbits’ loss to Wilson last year–the first on the field since 1991–stung many at 1600 Atlantic, who’ve been waiting on this game.
“We’re definitely excited for it,” said Poly coach Travon Patterson. “They won last year so there’s excitement about a rematch and trying to redeem ourselves. They won and our guys understand they have to respect them–Wilson will come prepared because they want to beat us.”
The Jackrabbits’ defense has been strong all year long but got a boost on offense with QB Trevor Scott’s first game last week.
Poly will have their bye next week before traveling to Millikan on Oct. 23 while Wilson will host Lakewood next Friday before taking their bye.
