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 Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
It’s sure to be an emotional night at John Ford Stadium–in one way or another–when Lakewood hosts Long Beach Poly Friday night at 7pm in both teams’ second Moore League game.
The Jackrabbits (2-2, 1-0) are coached by former Lancers coach and Lakewood (3-2, 1-0) football legend Justin Utupo. While a player, Utupo helped lead Lakewood to their last win over Poly, before going on to play at Notre Dame. After he came home to coach, Utupo led both Millikan and Lakewood before leaving his alma mater last offseason to take the Poly job.
“I’m sure it will be emotional and I’ll just focus on the kids,” said Utupo when asked before the season about the return. “It’s about them, not me.”
His departure certainly ruffled feathers with some in the Lakewood administration, but Lancers head coach Mario Morales said before the season that none of that will be his focus when the teams meet. He praised Utupo, who brought him onto the team’s staff last year, and highlighted the close relationships between coaches and players.
“It’ll be a cool night when we get together, it’ll be emotional for a lot of the players,” he said. “They had a great relationship with him and they still do. Relationships are a big thing, especially as you get older. If our guys want to show it that night and give him a big hug I’m cool with that. He’s a good man and he did some great things here, we all know that.”
Sideline storylines aside, the game will feature two of the best in the Moore League. The Jackrabbits are No. 22 in the CIF-SS according to HS Ratings, the site used to make the playoff divisions after the season. Their offense and defense have both rounded into shape over the last two weeks.
Lakewood had a tough nonleague schedule but it prepared them well for dominant wins over Mayfair and Compton in their last two games, as they’ve been able to score at will with both long drives and big plays, and they’ve had success shutting down teams’ rushing and passing attacks.
The Jackrabbits will travel to Mission Viejo next week while Lakewood will enjoy a bye before traveling to Jordan.
