Long Beach Poly football coach Stephen Barbee put together a tough nonleague schedule for his team, and it came to an end Friday against a superior Corona Centennial team that outclassed the Jackrabbits in all phases of the game. The Huskies easily defeated Poly, 57-13.
“They’re a great team,” said Barbee. “Hats off to them.”
Barbee was asked how he’s planning on keeping his players’ spirits up after a loss that left most players dejected.
“It’s tough, I hope they realize we’re playing a top 20 team in the country,” said Barbee.
Poly’s defense held the Huskies for three plays on their opening drive, but Centennial went for it on fourth down and sprung Nicholas Floyd for a 71-yard touchdown. Things didn’t get better from there after a snap went over Poly’s punter’s head in the end zone, and then the Huskies sacred again to make it 16-0 just midway through the first quarter.
The Poly offense continued to develop, although the Jackrabbits’ quarterback situation hasn’t gotten any clearer. Sophomore Shea Kuykendall started the game but was replaced after the first few drives by senior Mehki Jordan, who played his best football in a Poly jersey, going 16/33 for 195 yards and two touchdowns, both to receiver Keyontae Lanier, who had six catches for 121 yards.
The Huskies never looked back, racking up 439 yards of offense in basically three quarters, since the clock ran in the fourth. They also averaged 9.1 yards per play in the win.
Poly (1-3) will have to lick its wounds before opening Moore League play against its two toughest opponents in league, traveling to Millikan next Friday and Wilson the following Friday.
