The562’s coverage of football and Long Beach Poly Athletics for the 2026-27 school year is sponsored by Former Jackrabbits Wendell “WoWo” Moe, Jr. & Tyson Ruffins.
The Long Beach Poly football team has a chance to get back into the CIF Southern Section semifinals for the first time since 2021 this evening as the Jackrabbits host Edison. Poly (7-4) will host the Chargers (4-7) at Cabrillo High at 7pm in a rematch of the 2001 CIF-SS Pac-5 championship game.
“It’s an exciting game for us, I played against Edison in the playoffs at Poly so it’s a fun throwback for me,” said Poly coach Travon Patterson. “We’re just trying to keep getting better.”
The Chargers have a losing record but played a strong schedule, with losses to Yorba Linda, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Palos Verdes, CDM, and Pinnacle.
They have a run-heavy offense that likes to pound the ball, with a running back who’s been effective and is also their leading receiver in Sam Edmisten. Edmisten has 140 carries and 10 touchdowns this year. Quarterback Sam Thomson has thrown for 1,600 yards and 17 touchdowns, with 10 interceptions. The Chargers’ top wideouts are Logan Hampton and McKennon Pierce.
Colorado State commit Blaise Burwell is the Chargers’ kick and punt returner and has been in explosive in the return game.
They’ll face a Jackrabbit defense that’s been hungry and opportunistic. They gave up their first points since Sep. 25 last week but still dominated, with two takeaways, seven sacks and a defensive touchdown.
Edison’s defense is led by Burwell in the secondary and leading tacklers linebackers Wyatt Campbell, Rogers Micah, and Mavericks Hernandez. Sophomore Drake Sunga is their top pass rusher as a DB with five sacks; senior Sean Moran leads the D Line with four sacks.
That Edison defense will try to contain a Poly offense that has rounded into shape over the last month. QB Trevor Scott turned it over twice last week but has been a breakout star, with 1,347 passing yards on a 71% completion rate, with 19 touchdowns and two interceptions. Poly receivers Zion Anderson and Jayden Coley have combined for 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns this year, while running backs Jeron Johnson and Elijah Dawson have 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The winner of tonight’s game faces the winner of Great Oak and Murrieta Valley in the semis; by virtue of the CIF-SS coin flip, if Poly wins tonight’s game they’d host the semifinal against either opponent next week.
