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 Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
How good of a week was it for the Long Beach Poly football team? The Jackrabbits somehow picked up two wins and several new starters in the span of a few days. First on Monday the CIF Southern Section transfer Sit Out Period window ended, meaning several key starters are now eligible to play; then Yorba Linda forfeit a win over Poly for using an ineligible player. Finally on Friday night the Jackrabbits put up a dominant win over Lakewood, 55-0.
“The guys were just excited, they had a lot of energy and we had a lot of fun being able to get a W again, it feels good,” said Poly coach Travon Patterson. “We just have to continue to iron things out, sharpen up and get ready for next week.”
Poly (2-4, 1-0) dominated all phases of their Moore League opener against the Lancers, leaving Lakewood (2-5, 0-1) coach Mario Morales disappointed in his team’s effort.
“We’re about attitude and effort, that’s all we care about,” he said. “We didn’t have the attitude and effort that we’ve been able to have tonight for whatever reason. So we gotta let it go and go on to the next one.”
The game marked the debut of several key players for Poly, first and foremost among them sophomore quarterback Trevor Scott. In Scott’s first-ever varsity game and first game as Poly’s starter he went 15/20 for 289 yards and five touchdowns plus 49 yards rushing.
“He did a great job tonight,” said Patterson. “He managed the offense well, he took the shots downfield when we asked him to, he kept drives alive with his feet. He’s a special player.”
Scott is a Mater Dei transfer who went to Hughes Middle School and whose sister and parents attended Poly. Few players in recent years have had more anticipation around their first game, as Scott carries offers from UCLA and others and appeared to be exactly what an anemic Poly offense was missing.
Sure enough three of his first seven passes were touchdowns, including a 26-yard strike to Jayden Coley, a 31-yard score to Zion Anderson, and a 44-yard laser to Miami commit Donte Wright. For Scott, sitting six games was difficult, but worth it.
“I feel great, I get to ball and have my brothers’ back, I’m free,” he said. “It was very hard (sitting) because I knew I could help my brothers out. I feel like our record would have been different and I’m excited to be out there.”
The anticipation around Scott’s debut was paid off by his big night, which was especially impressive considering it was his first varsity game.
“I felt very comfortable,” he said. “I have a lot of weapons. If someone is going one on one with one of my receivers I know he’s probably gonna come down with it.”
The primary beneficiaries Friday were Zion Anderson (123 receiving yards and a score) and Coley (six catches for 89 yards and two scores), but running back Jeron Johnson also had eight carries for 129 yards and two scores, in part because the Lakewood defense couldn’t sell out on the run and short passing routes as Poly’s nonleague opponents did. Elijah “Bubba” Dawson added on another rushing touchdown as Poly pounded the rock for almost 250 total yards.
The Poly defense was impressive as well, posting a shutout as well as two takeaways: Toa Cagnolatti had a diving interception and also recovered a fumble forced by Sammy Timu. Sophomore Jace Lockett, another Mater Dei transfer, had four tackles for a loss and Kasim Shepherd had a sack.
“Our defense has been playing great all year and I’m glad our offense could join the party,” said Patterson.
Lakewood QB Aidan Kautsky didn’t often have time to throw but went 7/12 for 46 yards with the interception; running back Jacob Carey toted the rock 11 times for 14 yards.
Poly will host defending Moore League champion Wilson next Saturday at Cabrillo at 7pm while Lakewood will host Millikan on Friday night.
