Following an undefeated spring season, the Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits are reloaded and ready for a challenging fall slate. Head coach Stephen Barbee has announced the team’s 2021 schedule, which includes some marquee non-league games.
The Jackrabbits will open the fall season on Aug. 20, hosting Leuzinger High out of the LA City Section. Then comes a rematch with Serra on Aug. 27, which should be a highly-anticipated game after the Cavaliers took Poly to overtime in a thrilling season-opener back in March of this year. Poly prevailed 27-20 over Serra in what was easily the most competitive game of the season for the Jackrabbits. The Cavaliers will still have plenty of firepower with Texas-bound quarterback Maalik Murphy set to return for his senior season this fall.
Poly will then host CIF-SS rival Mission Viejo on Sept. 3 before taking a bye week on Sept. 10. The Jackrabbits will conclude their non-league schedule with a marquee matchup on the road against perennial powerhouse Corona Centennial on Sept. 17 in the IE.
“It’s a good schedule,” said Poly’s fourth-year head coach Stephen Barbee. “We’re excited to play some big names and to see two really good public schools in Mission Viejo and Corona Centennial.”
Moore League play begins with some interesting matchups for the defending league champs, as the Jackrabbits will host Millikan and Wilson in consecutive weeks. The Rams were unbeaten in league play before a 48-0 loss to the Jackrabbits in the season finale, and Wilson and Poly never got the chance to play during the 2020-21 season due to a COVID-19 cancellation. It was the first year Poly and Wilson didn’t face off in football since the series began in 1932.
One week prior to the start of the 2021 regular season this fall, Poly will take on Upland and Santa Ana in a three-team scrimmage on Aug. 12.
Also of note, Poly’s home games are once again scheduled to be played at Vet’s Stadium for the 2021 fall season. The Jackrabbits used Cabrillo High as their home field due to COVID-19 restrictions earlier this spring.
Long Beach Poly’s 2021 Fall Schedule:
8/20 vs. Leuzinger
8/27 at Serra
9/3 vs. Mission Viejo
9/10 BYE
9/17 at Corona Centennial
9/24 vs. Millikan
10/1 vs. Wilson
10/8 at Cabrillo
10/15 vs. Compton
10/22 at Jordan
10/29 at Lakewood
