December 2008 Archives

The Rams, among the favorites to win the CIF-SS Division I title, are proving that in San Diego, where they quailified for the championship game of the Nautical Cup Showcase Division on Wednesday at noon.

Millikan will play Brophy College Prep (Ariz.), which rolled through its three-team pool and quarterfinal and semifinal, winning the four games by a combined score of 16-5.

The Rams suffered their first loss of the season in pool play Tuesday, a 1-0 setback to Westview on its own field. However, with an earlier 2-1 win over Overfelt (San Jose), Millikan advanced to as the No. 2 seed out of its pool and beat Loyola, 1-0, in the quarterfinals. The Rams defeated Watsonville, 1-0, in the semis.

Poly 's M.O. the whole playoffs was to get behind and come firing back and win it in the end.
It worked for the first four games, but the Jackrabbits' luck finally ran dry.

However, it seem that it was going to go down the exact same way after Melvin Richardson scooted 55 yards for a TD in the fourth quarter to give Poly a 20-19 lead.

And with 4:20 to go, Grant got the ball at its 32 with one last chance against Poly's biggest strenght - it's defense. But the 'Rabbits couldn't hold this one last time and the Pacers scored with a little more than a minute to go.

"I think our defense got worn out," Poly coach Raul Lara said. "We really didn't move the ball and give them time to rest. We had too many three-and-outs."

It was really Poly's inability to run the ball that cost them the title and a chance at a No. 1 ranking. The Jackrabbits finished with 79 yards on 25 attempts, including the 55-yarder by Richardson.

"That's our thing," Lara said of his team's usually strong running game. "They stopped us from running the ball."

QB Morgan Fennell went 11 of 25 with a TD and interception for 164 yards. But while there was some success there, Poly isn't really a passing team and it showed down the stretch before it turned the ball over on downs in the waning seconds.

For everybody who thought Grant was going to get rolled, like me, they were dead wrong. For everybody who thought Poly should have played De La Salle, they were dead wrong. The Pacers were the real deal.

"You gotta give it up to Northern California," Poly LB George Daily-Lyles said. "We thought we had them physically and mentally. But they came to play."

And they dominated the stat sheet.

Grant led in first downs (15-8), rushing (39 for 133-25 for 79), passing (236-164 yards), offense (369-243 yards) and most importantly, points (25-20).

The Pacers should get some SERIOUS consideration for No. 1, altough Corona Centennial will probably get the nod.

"I don't know," Lara said when asked about who's No. 1. "We were No. 1 and they beat us. They are a good team."

The comeback 'Rabbits are up to their ears in trouble now. Down by 5 with 1:11 to go. What kind of miracle comeback do they have in store this time? We'll find out in the next minute or so. Poly has 2 timeouts to work with.

Poly (1:06)
1-10-31 - McKay takes a turn on offense, makes big grab +19
Grant player hurt. Timeout

1-10-50 - Fennell just gets ball away before sack. Incomplete.
2-10-50 - Screen to Barner dropped (48.2)
3-10-50 - Another screen incomplete.
Poly timeout.
Screen passes? Gotta throw the ball down the field a little. Now the often-criticized Poly offense has one play left
4-10-50 - Pass is complete to Clay, who is wrapped up and pulled back close to first down. Refs measure and Poly's championship season comes up a couple of links short.

Grant takes over with 36.5 left at its 40.

Grant runs out the clock.

Grant with 2:13 left at Poly 17

2-2-17 - First down for Grant +5

Crowds are fired up

1-10-12 - Butler taken down for a loss by Daily-Lyles -4
2-14-16 - Koniseti finds McCauley in a seam for a 16-yard TD with 1:11 left....But a flag on the play. Personal foul on Grant, but TD counts. Long 2-pointer way short.

68-yards on 8 plays to give Grant the lead back 25-20

This hole might be too big for Poly to get out of this time.

Grant is 68 yards away from the biggest win in school history. The Pacers have 4:20 to do it. It's now or never.

Grant
1-10-32 - Longer now for Grant. Illegal procedure -5
1-15-27 - Koniseti under pressure. Short pass incomplete
2-15-27 - Nice run by Butler +12
3-3-39 - WR screen to wide, wide wide open McCauley for first down in Poly territory with 3:23 left. +15

1-10-46 - Butler breaks his biggest run of the night +21

1-10- 25 - Another screen to McCauley +8
Poly Timeout with 2:13 to go

Who's it gonna be. Stay tuned

Poly (6:10 left)
1-10-34 - Barner -1 but the clocking is ticking
2-11-33 - Richardson not much better. No gain. Still clock ticks.
3-11-33 - Fennell scrambles but steps out of bounds well short +1
4-11-34- Punt.

Roniss squibs kick down to Grant 12, but Poly takes a personal foul penalty to give Pacers a little more breathing room with a little more than 9 minutes to go.

Poly stop here could decide the game.

Grant
1-10-27 - QB sneak +3
2-7-30 - Long pass incomplete but a flag on the play. Holding on Grant. Poly accepts.
2-17-20- Warren makes catch on out route +14
3-4-34 - Butler bulls his way, dragging pile for first down and more +11

1-10-45 - Butler +4
2-6-49 - Butler looking strong, runs for more +10

1-10-(P)41 - pass incomplete
2-10-41- Would-be screen pass is a lateral and ball is loose. But Butler recovers -11
3-21 -48 - McCauley takes short pass for nice gain +16
4-5-36 - Biggest play of the game to this point. Koniseti keeper comes up short of first down +2. Poly ball

Jackrabbits have chance to march ball, run clock and win game. Can they do it?

It's time to see if Poly is able to respond from adversity now.

Poly
1-10-31 - Fennell goes long, pass grabbed by both Clay and DB and finally hits the ground incomplete.
2-10-31- Westbrook catch and run +14

1-10-45 - Richardson busts a tackle or two at the line and sprints into end zone (just like last week) for 55-yard TD with 9:39 left. Poly, smartly goes for 2, to make it a 3-point game. Pass to Westbrook just too far.

But Poly has the lead again, 20-19.

Grant threatening, trailing 14-13

Grant
2-10-15 - Short pass +1
3-9-14 - Aaron Jones takes pass, big hit shy of first down
4-inches-6 - Butler hustles to the left for 6-yard TD with 10:36 left to put Grant back in the lead. Grant goes for 2-pointer and fails.

Grant 19, Poly 14

Due to some technical difficulty, the play by play at the end of the 3Q mysteriously vanished.

But just before, Grant picked off a Fennell pass and returned it to the Poly 15

Start of 3Q
Grant 13, Poly 7
Poly receives kickoff

Poly
1-10-31- Fennell's first pass of the second half if intercepted...but out of bounds. Lucky.
2-10-31- Barner breaks through for his biggest run in a couple of weeks +16

1-10-47 - Screen pass to WR Damon Smith +3
2-7-50 - Barner for a short gain + 3
3-4-(G)47 - Short pass to Clay goes for 23 yards, but a flag on the play. Personal foul on Poly. But still a first down

1-10-39 - Fennell under pressure throws ball out of bounds
2-10-39 - Richardson strung out by quick Grant defense for no gain
3-10-39 - Pass to open Westbrook too far
4-10-39- Poly punts, but puts Grant deep in its end for the first time. Could be big in the way the game plays out. Field position hurt Poly in first half.

Grant
1-10-2- Butler stopped, just gets out of end zone -1
2-11-1- Pass incomplete
Poly fans, who are taking up almost all of their half of HDC, chant "DEFENSE"
3-11-1-McCauley makes catch in middle of field +8
4-2-9 - Punt leaves Poly in good field position.

Poly (7:02)
1-10-(G)32- WR screen caught by Clay for no gain
2-10-32 - Richardson run +1
3-9-31 - Fennell sacked on rollout, fumbles ball but Poly recovers. Holding call on Poly, too. Declined by Grant.
4-18-40 - Punt.

Grant (5:14)
1-10-9 - Butler runs +6
2-4-15 - Butler thrown forward for 1-yard gain.
3-3-16- Butler again, but short of first down +2
Timeout Grant. Could they be thinking about going for it so deep in theri territory with a 13-7 lead?
4-1-18- Jaymee Matheny's punt blocked by trio of 'Rabbits and run into end zone by George Daily-Lyles to give Poly its first lead of the game on Roniss' PAT at 3:16.

Poly 14, Grant 13
Same old story in these playoffs for Poly. They are coming back.

I don't want to take anything away from any team, especially a team that has gotten as far as the CIF State championship bowl game like Grant, but Poly hasn't play Poly-esque football to this point in the game.

Defensively, the Jackrabbits have been tagged for 2 TDs on 66 yards rushing and 143 yards passing. Poly has been its own worst enemy, with anything but solid tackling and coverage that has left plenty to be desired, However, the defense does have a couple of takeaways and made a couple of other big plays toward the end of the half. If it can continue to improve, Poly will certainly stand a chance over the final 24 minutes.

Offensively, other than the one scoring drive, the Jackrabbits have done nothing, netting just 107 yards on 28 plays (about 3 yards per play, which includes a 65-yard TD strike). As the game as moved on, Poly is beginning to become rather one dimensional - surprisingly with long pass plays. Chuck-and-duck has got them a TD and receivers have been open deep, so there apparently is something there to take advantage of. No running game, though. Richardson has 6 carries for 12 yards, Barner 5 for 1 an Fennell 3 for -7.

But in saying all that, this is exactly how Poly (minus the passing) has done it in the playoffs, fall behind and rally down the stretch. I said it last week and I'll say it again, Poly has Grant right where it wants 'em.

Second half starts in 5 minutes

Another good return for Grant. The Pacers haven't seen their end of the field much.

Grant
1-10-44 - Zakeem Williams with the sack -7
2-17-37 - Poly busts through line to stop Butler for loss -2
Timeout Grant... All right now, the real Poly defense in finally here.
3-19-35 - Koniseti runs for about 12 yards, fumbles, Poly recovers, fumbles and recovers again.

Poly
1-10-(G) 48- Another long pass is picked off, but penalty on Grant negates play.

1-10-33- Run -2
2-12-35- Fennell sacked for loss -8
3-20-43 - Great leaping catch by Johnson for first down +22 with 1:36 left.

1-10-21 - Barner on draw snuffed out in backfield -2
Timeout
2-10-23 - Clay makes catch in end zone, but there's a flag. Could be offensive pass interference. And it is. No TD. Poly backs up 15 yards plus loss of down
3-28-38 - Long pass - which it seems all Poly is doing at this point - way off target
Timeout Poly
4-28-38 - Another long pass.. caught by Clay but out of bounds in the end zone.

Poly defense needs a stop. With way things have gone Poly should be pleased with score at 13-7 at halftime.

Grant (1:07)
1-10-38 - Pass incomplete
2-10-38 - Pass, a duck, is incomplete.
3-10-38 - Koniseti runs for first down +10

1-10-48 - Koniseti runs +1
2-9-50 - Long pass incomplete, but flags on the play. Holding on Grant. Illegal pass call, too. Poly takes the latter penalty.
3-15-45 (with 2.6 seconds left) Butler ends half with about 20-yard run.

Grant 13, Poly 7 at the half

Hmmmm. Interesting start, especially with everyone picking Poly to walk way to win.

Offense needs to help out defense with a long drive, get ball to the other end.
101 yards for Grant in first half, just 19 for Poly

Poly
1-10-30 - Pass behind Johnson, can't make catch
2-10-30 - Richardson fumbles but ball recovered by Poly +3
3-7- 33 - Fennell tucks the ball and comes up short of first down +4
4-3-37 - Penalty on Grant gives Poly second first down

1-10-41 - Barner squeezes way for gain of 3
2-7-44 - Barner again for fair gain +4 Poly nearing midfield for the first time.
3-4-48 - Long pass is knocked away by Grant DB. Holding call on Poly; Grant accepts.
3-18 -33 - Screen pass falls short.
4-18-33 - Poly punts

Good-sized Grant crowd, considering the travel, is fired up with the way the game as unfolded to this point. And for good reason as the Pacers are dominating play so far.

Grant (7:27)
1-10-(G)35 - QB keeper +2
2-8-37 - Koniseti drops back, runs +6
3-2-43 - Butler tripped up just shy of first down +1
4-1-44 - Confident Grant goes for it, Butler dives for first down + 2

1-10-46 - WR screen caught by McCauley, busts tackle for first down +11

1-10-(P)43- Butler breaks loose for 18-yard run, but Tepa takes away the ball for Poly. But he fumbles, however, 'Rabbits recover at own 35

Really starting to get a little chilly out

Poly (5:14)
1-10-35 - Pass too high for intended receiver
2-10-35 - Long pas to Johnson is caught at 25, but out of bounds.
3-10-35 - Fennell goes long again... finds Kaelin Clay wide open behind defense for 65-yard TD strike at 4:52. Roniss boots PAT

Poly is finally on the board folks, but trails 13-7

Poly drive continues

4-9-16 - Roniss to punt once again. Yet another nice starting position for Grant.

Grant
1-10-(P)34 - DE Iuta Tepa gets a sack - 6
2-16-40 - Screen pass incomplete
3-16-40 - Pass incomplete, through WR hands. Grant penalty on the play. Poly declines.
4-16-40 - Grant goes for it...I guess theey don't kick. Howard Warren goes deep, catches pass for first down at Poly 1-yard line +39

1-goal-1 - Koniseti barrels in for TD at 10:44. Illegal procedre backs up PAT attempt. Koniseti's kick fails.

Grant 13 Poly 0

Poly receives kickoff, and Jordan Johnson fumbles and ball is recovered by Tony Matavale of Grant at Poly 21

Looks like Poly is digging another hole early. But the 'Rabbits have come back each time.

Grant
1-10-21 - 1 yard run
2- 9-20 - Pass nearly picked off by by Jackrabbits
3-9-20 - QB sneak +4
Timeout Grant
4-5- 16 - Pass into right corner of end zone goes off of WR's fingers and incomplete.

Poly
1-10-16 - Richardson stood up at line of scrimmage +1
2-9-17 - Pass downfield is incomplete
3-9-17 - Screen pass +2
4-9-19 - False start on Poly -5
4-14-14 - Poly punts but ball stays in its end of the field

It's feeling a lot like last week's game vs. Tesoro. Not much offense early and opponent is moving the ball on Poly.

Grant (3:56)
1-10-(P) 47- Illegal procedure vs. Grant -5
1-15-(G)48 - Butler dropped for losst -3
2-18-45 - Slant caught by Ronald Fields, who takes it all the way downfield +40

1-10-15 - QB sneak +3
2-7-12 - Butler hauled down for a loss - 3
3-10-15 - Safety Stan McKay just barely knocks away would-be TD pass inside 5-yard line.
4-10-15 - Fields catches pass out of bounds in end zone. What, no Grant kicking game?
Poly takes over deep in own end again.

Poly (1:25)
1-10-15 - Richardson +1
2-9-16 - Richardson tripped up at the line +1
3-8- 17 - Fennell to pass, decides to run (into his own player) stopped for no gain.

End of First Quarter... Grant 7, Poly 0

After poor/squib-like kick, Grant has ball in Poly end.

1-10-47 - 1 yard run by RB Devontae Butler
2-9-46 - QB keeper by Kipeli Koniseti for 5
3-4-41 - Koniseti for 0
4-4-41 - Grant punts

Poly

1-10-20 - RB Melvin Richardson, a hero in Poly's CIF win over Tesoro, off tackle +5
2-5-25 - Richardson opposite way, to left, strung out for no gain
3-5-25 - QB Morgan Fennell completes first pass to WR Jordan Johnson+ 7

1-10-32 - Cory Westbrook catches screen for 5 yards
2-5-37 - RB Daveon Barner takes pitch wide left for -2
3-7-35 - Westbrook wide open down middle for would-be TD, but pass is just too high.
4-7-35 - Poor punt by Alan Roniss gives Grant good field position again.

Grant (7:09)
1-10-(G)46 - Darvin McCauley gets behind Poly secondary, Koniseti finds him for a 54-yard TD with 6:59 left. Koniseti kicks PAT for 7-0 Grant lead.

We are just a couple of minutes away from the opening kickoff between Poly and Sacramento Grant in the CIF State Open Division Bowl Game at Home Depot Center. There's football, not futbol, here tonight.

Poly is wearing its green tops with gold pants, while Grant is in white jerseys, yellow bottoms and helmets.

The captains are on the field for the coin flip, surrounded by throng of photographers. Poly will kick.

Play by play upcoming

After watching Friday night's Corona Centennial-Concord De La Salle game, it became apparent that the Open Division title game didn't match up the two best teams in the state. The two best teams in the state are Centennial and Poly, which is why I am picking the Jackrabbits to roll Sacramento Grant tonight at Home Depot Center.

But just how and by how much? Poly's M.O. in the playoffs this year has been coming from behind to win in the fourth quarter. I say the 'Rabbits will get untracked from that form and CRUISE by Grant, 28-7.

OK, folks, we have written some pretty good stories on Saturday's CIF State Championship Bowl Game between Poly and Sacramento Grant.

After reading that story on Grant, I'm thinking it should be a pretty darn good game. Good enough that I'm not quite ready to give a prediction just yet. Poly is good, but is it time for the J-Rabbits to finally meet their match. Playing from behind, etc. has a way of catching up with teams.

I've got another 24 hours before I am going to commit -- either way.

Tell me why I should pick Poly?
Tell me why I should pick Grant?
Final score?

The CIF State football championship bowl game pairings were released Sunday, an as expected, undefeated and two-time CIF-SS Pac-5 Division champ Poly was awarded a spot in the open division.

But not against Concord De La Salle, as many had suspected. Instead, the Jackrabbits will take on undefeted Sacramento Grant.

Strength of schedule was cited as the reason for the matchup. Grant beat two tough teams in Utah and Idaho, while De La Salle did lose game. Poly was picked over Corona Centennial, which also has a perfect record.

And the complete bowl matchups - all at the Home Depot Center - are.....

Friday
Small Schools: St. Margaret's (14-0) vs. Hamilton City Hamilton (10-2), 4:30 p.m.
Division I: Corona Centennial (14-0) vs. Concord De La Salle (12-1), 8 p.m.

Saturday
Division III: St. Bonaventure (13-1) vs. Santa Rosa Cardinal Newman (13-0), noon
Division II: San Diego Cathedral (13-0) vs. Stockton St. Mary's (12-2), 4 p.m.
Open Division: Poly (14-0) vs. Sacramento Grant (13-0), 8 p.m.

Do the comeback 'Rabbits have one more left in them?

CITY
CITY CHAMPIONSHIP
Narbonne 21, San Pedro 21 (tie)
We thought that one would be close, but not that close.

SOUTHERN SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS
PAC-5 (I)
Long Beach Poly 20, Tesoro 17
Comeback kids do it again.

SOUTHWEST (VI)
La Habra 26, Tustin 14

EASTERN (VIII)
Citrus Hill 31, Barstow 27

MID-VALLEY (XI)
Paraclete 21, Rosemead 10

EAST VALLEY (XII)
St. Margaret's 17, Twentynine Palms 3

NORTHEAST (XIII)
Rio Hondo Prep 13, Riverside Christian 6

It's been the M.O. of Poly all playoffs long, so why not one last stirring comeback in the Pac-5 Division championship game on Saturday night at Angel Stadium.

The Jackrabbits were down to Bishop Amat in the first round, down to Esperanza in the second round and down to Lakewood in the semifinals. So it really came to no surprise that they came back to defeat Tesoro, 20-17, for their second straight title and 18th CIF football title.

As coach Raul Lara said: "It's not like we were trying to do it on purpose. We've been down in every game but we've come back. That tells what kind of character we have on our team."

Appologies to a stout defensive effort by Poly, but it was character games by QB Morgan Fennell and RB Melvin Richardson that really made the difference.

On the first play from scrimmage, Fennell was sacked. But he got up. The guy who leads the run-dominated offense just kept getting up. When he was hammered on a TD pass to Damon Smith in the fourth quarter, he got back up.

And Fennell's teammates did the same.

"The coaches say big-time players make big-time plays.l was blessed to be a big-time player tonight," said the often-scrutininzed QB who went 14-21-0 for 140 yards.

Richardson, who helped(?) Poly rush for 15 yards in the first half, pounded Tesoro in the second half, rushing for 132 yards, including the game-winning 60-yard TD runs with 2:56 to play.

"I had to get the job done," said Richardson, noting that no one else was stepping up to do the job.

Does Poly have one more left in it after this? We'll find out Saturday in the CIF State championship game at the Home Depot Center. State bowl teams are announced Sunday afternoon.

Poly is up 20-017 with 1:57 left.

2-8-42 - Richardson runs through defense +17
Clock is ticking

1-10-25 - Richardson a short gain, but holds onto ball +4
2-6-21 - Barner hauled down for a loss -1
Tesoro last timeout with :45 left
3-7-22 - Richardson bursts up the middle for nice gain but Poly penalty on the play -5
3-12-27 - Fennell takes a knee and the clock runs out...

Jackrabbits jump for joy....Win 20-17. State bowl game next Saturday at Home Depot Center

And Tesoro finds itself behind for the first time wtih less than 3 minutes to go.
This is Poly like it has been all playoffs long. Coming back strong

King returns KO near midfield.

Tesoro
1-10-43 - LB Matthew Jones just misses picking off Picazzo pass.
2-10-43 -- Runs +1
3-9-44 - Pass incomplete
Timeout Tesoro with 2:06 left
4-9-44 - Tepa hits Picazzo as he goes to throw. Poly takes over on downs with 2:02 left. Tesoro has 2 timeouts left

Poly
1-10- (T)44 - Barner runs up middle +2
Timeout Tesoro

This is it..be right back

Poly has done a much better job in the second half, but 'Rabbits still trail 17-13 with 4:13 left. But they have the ball with 2 timeouts left.

Poly
1-10-22 - Underneath screen to Johnson for first down +10

1-10-32 - Finally a good gain for Barner + 8
2-2-40 - Smith drops short pass incomplete (3:08 left)
3-2-40 - Richardson breaks two tackles, goes down right sideline for 60-yard TD. Poly crowd going wild. Tesoro side stunned. Roniss PAT is good

Poly 20, Tesoro 17 with 2:56 left
WOW

Let's see what the Poly D is made of with game on the line

Tesoro
1-10-27 - Davis run +3
2-7-30 - Davis again for short gain +3
3-4-33 - Screen caught by King for first down +5

1-10-38 - Pass caught out of bounds
2-10-38 - Davis runs for little +1
3-9-39 - McKay dives in front of receiver to knock down first-down pass
4-9-39- Tesoro punt.

4:13 left

It's now or never for Poly, trailing by two scores, 17-7.

Poly
1-10-20 - Fennell hooks up with KIaelin Clay for first time +38

1-10-(T) 42 - Fennell looks long again but incomplete
2-10-42 - Richardson runs middle +6
3-4-36 - Smith nice catch for first down, picking up ball just off turf +6

1-10- 30 - Reverse to Westbrook doesn't fool Tesoro -5
Timeout Poly with 7:42 left
2-15-35 - Pass dropped by wide-open receiver in middle of field for would-be first down
3-15-35 - Pass caught by Johnson +9..Fennell hammered
4-4-24 - Fennell drilled again, helped up by temmates...but his pass good for 17 -yard TD by Smith with 6:48 left. Roniss PAT good, but illegal procedure call on Poly. Another penalty on Poly Roniss' retry, from 30yards is blocked by Tanner Hodgdon.

Tesoro 17, Poly 13

Poly will need a TD now, not FG

Tesoro drive continued

2-4-(P) 38 - Davis gets the call again +9

1-10-29 - Davis rumbles for another nice gain +10

1-10-19 - Davis stumbles and hauled down in backfield - 3
2-3-22 - Picazzo can't find receiver, throws ball away
3-3-22 - Davis takes draw up middle +8
4 - 3-14 - Sellar boots 31-yard Field goal with 9:40 to go. Tesoro leads 17-7.

Let's see if Poly can keep moving the ball like on its last drive.

Poly
1-10-20 - Pass caught by Smith +1
2-9-21 - Nowhere for Richardson to go -2
3-11-18 - Fennell's pass is waaaay to high for targeted receiver.
4-11-18- Poly punts, but gives Tesoro good field position again.

Tesoro (:31)
1-10-(P) 45- RB Seth Davis runs up middle to end 3Q + 4

Tesoro 14, Poly 7

It's do or die for Poly defense on this Tesoro drive. Can't imagine Poly will put up many more points.

Score tied 7-7 with 4:36 to go in 3rd Q
Poly racks up more yards on tying drive than they had in first half

Tesoro
1-10-35 - Mitchell misdirection run +7
2-7 - 42 - Tago barges up middle +3

1-10-45 - Pitch to King +9
2-1-(P) 46 - Option pass to King, who sacked by Luta Tepa - 7
3-8- 47 - Picazzo airs it out down field to Gudim, who gets behind defender, for a 53-yard TD catch with 2:03 left in 3Q. Ian Sellar, not Finkenberg, hits PAT.

Tesoro 14, Poly 7
Scoreboard lighting up now

Tesoro
1-10-35 - Long, long pass downfield just too long for Gudim
2-10-35 - Tago runs +1
3-9-36 - Picazzon just off target despite no Poly pass rush
4-9-36 - Tesoro punt

(a quick thought: maybe Poly has Tesoro right where they want them. Poly has struggled, come from behind in every playoff game so far)

Poly
1-10-34 - Screen pass to Westbrook + 9
2-1-43 - FB Lewis Richardson runs for first down +2

1-10-45 - Barner carries +0
2-10-45 - Screen pass short, dropped by Westbrook
3-10-45 - Fennell scrambles +11
Finally into Tesoro territory

1-10-(T)44 - Johnson runs +6
2-4-38 - Fennell drops snap -1
3-5-39 - Pass caught for first down by Smith +6

1-10-33 - Pitch to Barner snuffed out -2
2-12-35 - Westbrook strung out to the right for small gain +2
3-10-33 - Option pass to Westbrook, who tucks and runs for first down +11

1-10-22 - Richardson's first carry of second half goes +22 for a TD at 4:36. PAT by Roniss evens score at 7-7.

Comeback Rabbits

Poly better figure a few things out to get back in the game. Tesoro has won every facet of the game to this point, and it's a positive for the 'Rabbits that they only trail 7-0 at halftime.

The biggest thing Poly has to get going is its one-dimension (err no-dimensional) offense, which has netted 29 yards passing 15 yards rushing for 44 total yards on 23 plays. Poor field position, by an offense that can't move the ball, has put the defense's back against the wall.

The defense, which gave up just 106 yards so far, might break under more pressure in the second half if the offense can't begin to help out. If a bad thing can be said about the Poly defense is its inability to put much pressure on Tesoro QB Robbie Picazzo.

Poly has 24 minutes to get it together or its season is over.

Tesoro takes over with 4:19 to go
1-10-18 - Mitchell up the middle +0
2-10-18- Reverse to King for a first down +12

1-10-30 - Pass caught on left sideline by Bevan +6
2-4-36 - Picazzo has lots of time to pass, but no one opens and elects to throw it away
3-4-36 - Pass caught by King for first down +7

1-10-43 - Option to Mitchell -2 (2 minutes to go)
2-12- 41 - Pass broken up by LB Daily-Lyles
3-12-41 - Picazzo pass bounces to receiver incomplete
4-12-41 - Tesoro punts, ball goes off the back of a Poly player but recovered by Poly

Poly (1:38 to go)
1-10-24 - Fennell's long pass to Smith is incomplete
2-10-24 - Screen pass to Barner for short gain +4
3-6-28 - Screen to WR Johnson is short of first down +3
4-3-31 - Poly punt

Tesoro (:42 left)
1-10-31 - Pass caught by Locklar +6
2-4-37 - Picazzo scrambles up the middle for first down +9
Timeout Tesoro with :33 left

1-10-46 - Pass incomplete
2-10-46 - Pass to King +7
3-3-(P) 47 - Picazzo throws ball away
Tesoro looking to go on 4th down with 5 seconds to go. Tesoro timeout.
4-3-47 - Picazzo runs out the clock and falls to end first half

Tesoro 7, Poly 0

Poly
1-10-(P) 47 - Fennell pass caught by Cory Westbrook for short gain +1
2-9-48 - Barner stackked up for loss -1
3-10-47 - Fennell throws long for Jordan Johnson incomplete
4-10-47 - Poly punts but finally pens Tesoro in its end

Tesoro
1-10-24 - Mitchell breaks back against the grain +14

1-10-38 - Pass batted down at line
2-10-38 - Pitch to Mitchell +0
3-10-38 - Pass incomplete
4-10-38 - Tesoro punt

Poly (6:03 left)
1-10-27 - Fennell pass on slant caught by Damon Smith +15

1-10-42 - Fennell on keeper +8
2-2-50- Run -1
3-3-49 - Pass knocked down at the line
4-3-49 - Poly will punt again, but starting to gain on battle of field position with 4:19 to go

Tesoro drive continued

2-7-35 - Picazzo pass caught and dropped by King after a big hit
3-7-35 - Picazzo pass caught on left sideline by Brett Gudim for first down +11

1-10-24 -
2-??? - FB Issac Tago runs +5

1-goal-10 - RB Adam Alibitar runs +4
2-goal-6 - Draw to Mitchell up the middle -3
3-goal -9 - Pass caught by Picazzo, thrown by King +8
4-goal-1 - Tago crashes into the end zone for TD
Evan Finkenberg kicks the PAT
7-0 Tesoro with 8:54 to go in 2Q

Poly
1-10-4 - Run stopped for no gain
2-10-4 - Richards runs +1
3-9-5 - Again, no room for Richardson to run +0
4-9-5 - Poly punts

Tesoro
1-10-(P)38 - Mitchell runs left + 4

That's the end of the first quarter. No score, but Tesoro has had the upper hand in terms of playmaking, field position and defense so far.

Poly
1-10-20 - RB Daveon Barner runs +0
2-10-20 - Damon Smith runs +6
3-4-26 - Richardson runs up the middle for game's first first down +5

1-10-31 - Richards runs left for another first down +11

1-10-42 - Richardson runs left for short gain +2
2-8-44 - Pitch to Barner goes for a loss -4
3-12-40 - Poly delay of game -5
3-17-35 - Barner up the middle, brought down by half dozen tacklers +2
4-15-37 - Alan Roniss punts and Preston King breaks a tackle and returns to into Poly territory with 4:32 left in 1Q

Tesoro
1-10-38 - Mitchell goes nowhere into line of Poly defenders -1
2-11-39 - Picazzo pass caught by Zach Bevan +11

1-10-28 - Picazzo's pass nearly picked off by Poly's Stan McKay
2-10-28 - Picazzo pass caught for another first down by Bevan + 15

1-10-13 - Mitchell carries left for short gain +2
2-8-11 - Picazzo drops back, scrambles out of trouble but throws INT to McKay, who brings it out from goaline.

Poly
1-10-25 - QB Morgan Fennell drops back to pass and is sacked -8
2-18-17 - RB Melvin Richardson runs up the middle +7
Poly calls a timeout
3-11-24 - Fennell starts to roll out to pass and is sacked once again -8
4-19-16 - Poly punts, returned by Jason Locklar to the Poly 26

Tesoro
1-10-26 - RB Zach Mitchell runs -2
2-12-28 - Pass from QB Robbie Picazo dropped by Locklar
3-12-28 - Short pass caught by Mitchel - 2
4-14-30 - Illegal procedure on Tesoro -5
4-19-35 - Tesoro will now punt... into endzone

The captains and a bunch of illuminaries are out on the field for the coin toss.

The crowd seems to be pro-Tesoro, by as much as 3 to 1.

Tesoro is in all white and Poly in its green tops and gold pants.

Poly won the toss and has apparently elected to receive

Poly and Tesoro have finished their pregame warmups and have gone to their respective locker rooms for last-minute details for the CIF-SS Pac-5 championship football game here and Angel Stadium.

Kinda weird seeing a football game at a baseball stadium. I guess those memories of the Rams playing here are long, long gone.

We'll get you all drive-by-drive details of the game as we go. Pour that Coke Zero (my favorite), pop that popcorn and be back in 10 minutes or so for the opening kickoff.

As you will see below, local teams Mayfair and Serra were defeated.

CIF SOUTHERN SECTION
CENTRAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Rancho Cucamonga 21, Upland 7

INLAND CHAMPIONSHIP
Corona Centennial 23, Chaparral 17

NORTHERN CHAMPIONSHIP
St. Bonaventure 42, Moorpark 7

NORTHWEST CHAMPIONSHIP
Oaks Christian 56, Serra 21

SOUTHEAST CHAMPIONSHIP
Charter Oak 23, Diamond Ranch 14

SOUTHERN CHAMPIONSHIP
Laguna Hills 28, Mayfair 21

WESTERN CHAMPIONSHIP
Quartz Hill 14, Mira Costa 0

LA CITY SECTION
INVITATIONAL DIVISION
Arleta 31, Franklin 8

I was just working on some stuff and it dawned on me: Why should I have all the fun? Why can't others join in?
So, I am opening this up to fans, coaches, families, teammates and ect. to help out with the weekly Athletes of the Week.
Just comment on who you would choose for the Boys or Girls Athletes of the Week, including their year and school and any stats to back up your claim. All picks, which need to be made by noon on Mondays, will be seriously considered for the weekly honor.
I can also be emailed at dave.werstine@presstelegram.com

Pac-5
Poly vs. Tesoro
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah! Both teams play great defense, but I dare to say that Poly's defense is better than anyone's and it will be the difference in a low-scoring game. Poly 14-7.

Southern
Mayfair vs. Laguna Hills
Sitting with the coaches at the CIF media day earlier in the week conivinced me of one thing - LH has a solid defense that Mayfair might not be able to crack too easily. Still, I think the Monsoons will be in the game. Laguna Hills 20-14.

Northwest
Serra vs. Oaks Christian
Two of the tops teams not in the Pac-5 square off in a game that I hoped to see since opening kickoff. Who scores last in a high-scoring game should win it. Serra 31-28

City
Narbonne vs. San Pedro
The first game was a triple-OT affair and this one will be close as well. Omitting a couple of late mistakes and half of San Pedro at the LA Coliseum will likely turn the Pirates into champs. San Pedro 15-14.

After three-plus months of football, it's time to take it to court - basketball court that is.

We are just in the second week of the prep basketball season, but let's try to take a look ahead.

Who's gonna be dancing in March?
Who's gonna come out of nowhere to shine?
Who's gonna fall flat on their face?

Let us know your feelings, on both the boys and girls side.

We have four CIF football championship games involving Press-Telegram area teams.
Which of these games will be the best of the best?

Poly vs. Tesoro?
Mayfair vs. Laguna HIlls?
Serra vs. Oaks Christian?
Narbonne vs. San Pedro?

I'll get it started.

I, for one, am thrilled with what kind of game the Serra-Oaks Christian game will be. It's a game I was really hoping for all season long. Lots of big-play ability and plenty of kids headed for the NCAA.

What can anyone say about Narbonne-San Pedro? If the title game can even come close to their Marine League matchup earlier this season - the one that went into triple OT before Narbonne eeked out the win - it will be amazing.

Poly will play the winner of tonight's Tesoro-Orange Lutheran game.

It's over and official, Tesoro wins 42-14 and will play Poly on Saturday at Angels Stadium in the Pac-5 Division championship game.

Corona del Mar 6, Mayfair 14 (F)
Mayfair will play top-seeded Laguna Hills in the Southern Division Finals. The Monsoons will host and the game will be Friday

Tesoro 42, Orange Lutheran 14 (F)
Tesoro will face Poly in the Pac-5 Division title game Saturday at Angels Stadium

Serra 35, El Segundo 28 (F)
Serra will face top-seeded Oaks Christian in a battle of undefeated and top teams in the Northwest Division Finals. The title game will be held up at O.C. on Friday

CIF Southern Section Semifinals

PAC-5 PLAYOFFS
Poly 20, Lakewood 10

SOUTHERN PLAYOFFS
Laguna Hills 42, Norwalk 8

SOUTHEAST PLAYOFFS
Charter Oak 33, Rowland 17

CENTRAL PLAYOFFS
Rancho Cucamonga 23, Cajon 13

EAST VALLEY PLAYOFFS
St. Margaret's 63, Maranatha 0

EASTERN PLAYOFFS
Citrus Hill 18, Serrano 15

INLAND PLAYOFFS
Corona Centennial 38, Murrieta Valley 17

MID-VALLEY PLAYOFFS
Rosemead 16, Monrovia 6

NORTHEAST PLAYOFFS
Riverside Christian 34, Mojave 7

NORTHERN PLAYOFFS
St. Bonaventure 35, Saugus 8

NORTHWEST PLAYOFFS
Oaks Christian 29, Morro Bay 7

SOUTHWEST PLAYOFFS
Tustin 63, Anaheim Canyon 28

WESTERN PLAYOFFS
Mira Costa 20, Palmdale 14

8 MAN DIVISION I CHAMPIONSHIP
Santa Clarita Christian 50, Faith Baptist 28

8 MAN DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIP
Desert Chapel 48, Joshua Springs 20

LA City Section Semifinals

City Division
Narbonne 25, Crenshaw 24
San Pedro 27, Taft 7

Invitational Division
Arleta 42 Wilson 20
Franklin 13 Roosevelt 6

I've been asked numerous, numerous, numerous times this week:"Who is going to win, Lakewood or Poly?" For the most part, I was noncommittal, waiting to take in a week's worth of interviews, stories, etc.

But now the time has come for that pick and the others in the area this weekend.

PAC-5 DIVISION
Long Beach Poly (12-0) vs. Lakewood (6-6) at Cerritos College, Friday at 7 p.m.
There's been so much hype about this all-LBUSD semifinal to make your head spin. Games like this, re: Super Bowl, etc., rarely live up to their billing, but I'm pretty sure this one will. The first game was pretty interesting, even though Poly won by pretty good margin, 32-15. But this Lakewood team is not the same one that got beat in early October. The defense is stronger and the offense has been clicking for a full month or more. RB Jerry Stone, who missed the first go-around with Poly, is a big reason why. He will surely add another dimension or two for the Lancers and help keep the Jackrabbits off balance. QB Jesse Scroggins did a pretty fair job in the first game, and if Stone can buy him an extra or second or two, he should be able to do even more damage. Poly doesn't seem to be the same team it was back then either, however, going a bit in the opposite direction. The 'Rabbits have had to win their two playoff games late and come into this week banged up (just who is hurt and if they will play won't be known until 7 p.m.-ish tonight) following last week's win vs. Esperanza. Still, Poly possess arguably the top defense in the nation and the best 1-2 RB punch around in Melvin Richardson and Daveon Barner. Those two will get their yardage, but the Lancers need to make sure they don't bust some big game-changing plays. While Lakewood would appear to be able to run a balanced attack at Poly tonight, it's unclear if the Jackrabbits can do the same. The game could rest on just how well Poly, with QB Morgan Fennell, can throw the ball. I really believe that Lakewood has as good a chance as any Moore League team has had at beating Poly over the past decade-plus, but..... I'm picking safely and going with what I've been told over and over again this week - "You can't pick against Poly until they have lost." So, Poly in a very physical and close game, 23-21.

Tesoro (12-0) vs. Orange Lutheran (10-2) at Santa Ana Stadium, Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The winner of this O.C. clash will face Poly or Lakewood in the title game next Saturday. Tesoro is unbeaten and looking really, really good, but Lutheran's big win vs. S.O. Notre Dame leads me into the Lancers' direction.

SOUTHERN DIVISION
Norwalk (8-4) at Laguna Hills (11-0) Friday at 7 p.m.
Has Cinderella finally met her match in undefeated and top-seeded Laguna Hills. The Lancers have been the surprise team in the area and this division, with foes unable to stop RBs Jose Guzman, Ray Craig and Julio Macias, who have combined to rush for more than 4,000 yards this year. However, they haven't seen a defense as good as Laguna Hills appears to have. The Hawks have downright stopped teams, allowing 96 points in 11 games. They say defense wins, so it would seem that Norwalk's first big playoff run since the 1970s is about to come to a close. Too bad, as an all-Suburban League final would have been nice.

Mayfair (9-3) vs. Corona del Mar (10-2) at Newport Harbor High, Saturday at 7 p.m.
The Monsoons played a tough nonleague schedule - which included losses to Lakewood and Los Alamtios - to get ready for games like this. With offensive weapons like QB Jimmy Ohiri, WR Brandon Estrada and RB Dominique Small on offense and strong defense for Mayfair, can a team that went just 3-6 a year ago really compete. Doubt it. Take Mayfair.

NORTHWEST DIVISION
Oaks Christian (12-0) at Morro Bay (8-4) Friday at 7 p.m.
Serra (12-0) at El Segundo (10-2) Saturday at 7 p.m.
I'm putting these two picks into one simple statement. Serra and Oaks Christian have been on a collision course since the first snap of the year.

LA CITY SECTION
CITY DIVISION
Crenshaw (9-2) at Narbonne (11-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
Taft (11-1) at San Pedro (11-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
Again, a 2-for-1 deal. The Marine League is the best football league in the City and Narbonne and San Pedro will prove that to be true. However, Crenshaw has the ability to push the issue against the top-seeded team. San Pedro, with its stout defense, seems to be a safer pick to the Coliseum.

As alerted by a recent blog comment, go to the web site below and cast your ballot and get your team on Fox TV.

http://media.myfoxla.com/foxhilites/

OK, Long Beach-area football fans, here's your chance.

Tell us who is going to win the Big Game on Friday - Poly or Lakewood. And tell us why, too!

Just make sure you keep it clean.

The CIF-SS Pac-5 Division semifinal showdown between Moore League rivals Poly and Lakewood will indeed be played at Cerritos College on Friday at 7 p.m.

Tickets, which are $8 for adults and $5 for students, for the game can be purchased at either school during the week or at the Cerritos College box office on game night.