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.
Long Beach Poly was looking for a win to open their Moore League schedule, and the Jackrabbits got in on the road in Jordan’s beautiful brand new stadium on Friday night. The Jackrabbits scored early and often in a 56-7 victory over the Panthers.
Head coach Justin Utupo was pleased with his team’s performance, but not satisfied with it.
“We still got to do our job, it doesn’t matter who’s in there, we have to play four quarters of winning football,” said Poly coach Justin Utupo. “We didn’t accomplish our goals tonight, and we have to be better next week.”
It was a special night for Poly sophomore Zion Anderson, who’s been off to a hot start this season. On Friday he picked up his fourth scholarship offer, from Georgia, and then proceeded to score three touchdowns in Poly’s league opener. He scooped up a punt blocked by teammate Deon Jackson and scored it, then hauled in receptions of 62 and 20 yards from QB Deuce Jefferson.
“My Friday was GREAT,” he said with a huge smile after the game. “That’s one of my favorite schools, then coming out and here and showing out. I try to come with the same expectations every game to just get everything in front of me.”
The game started out with Jordan moving the football, taking advantage of Poly penalties as well as some hard running by Marcus Williams on a seven play drive. It ended with the punt that Jackson blocked and Anderson scored. After that the Panthers went three and out, and Harry Johnson took Poly’s first offensive play 70 yards to the house for a touchdown. Poly forced another three and out, and on the second play of that drive, Jefferson hit Anderson for a 62 yard score that made it 21-0 Poly less than eight minutes in, with just three offensive plays run.
They scored another touchdown on a run by Tristan Ventura that quarter, then opened the second with a 16-yard score that Jayden Coley hauled in from Jefferson. Jefferson’s third TD pass of the night was to Anderson, who juked a defender en route to making it 42-0 at halftime. Jefferson finished 7/10 for 187 yards and three touchdowns.
Poly’s backup QB got the second-half reps, and Jordan intercepted his first pass as senior Kymani Hill lay in waiting and then got a big return. The Panthers’ field goal try that ensued was blocked by Poly, however, and Jake Tennant then threw a 60-yard touchdown to Kymere Smith. Jordan would answer on the next drive, however, as Williams got them on the board in the fourth quarter with a 50-yard touchdown run. Poly finished the scoring in the fourth with a run by Elijah “Bubba” Dawson.
Poly (2-2, 1-0) will visit Lakewood next week while Jordan (1-3, 0-1) will host Charter Oak.
