Granite Bay Takes Springs Out of Long Beach Poly Steps

Story by Nick Hamilton

Long Beach Poly's quarterback  #2 Eban Jackson II.
Photo by Eric Wade/EW Gems.

After a disappointing 1-3 start earlier in the season, the Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits somehow turned it around and went on an impressive winning streak that guided them back to the CIF Division 1 state championship.

However Long Beach Poly couldn't overcome five record turnovers and were defeated by the Granite Bay 21-20 in the Division 1 CIF State Championship at Home Depot Center. 

Poly had a solid 7-3 heading into to halftime thanks to a wide open Gerald Wicks who caught a lateral pass from Thomas Tucker who caught the pitch from Eban Jackson. Wicks sprinted down the sideline for the score.
Dylan Keeney had two interceptions, including a 29-yard return for a touchdown that gave Granite Bay a 14-7 lead at the beginning of the third quarter.

After being down 14-7 to Granite Bay, Long Beach Poly allowed themselves an opportunity to win the game and take the title. John Smith caught a spectacular 30 yard pass near the end of the third quarter that tied the score 14-14.

Granite Bay's #32 Taft Partridge. Photo by William Johnson.

In the fourth quarter Manusamoa Lu'uga gave Poly the 20-14 lead after an extra point that was no good. With less than four minutes left in the game, that extra point miss would prove to be costly down the stretch. Granite Bay would put together a carefully executed 76 yard drive down field in the rain. In the red zone Granite Bay continued to pound the ball all the way down to the three yard line. As time continued to wind down, John Cooley punched in the end zone for the touchdown. The extra point was good by Granite Bay as they took the lead 21-20. 

Granite Bay would hold on for the victory and capture the Division 1 State Championship in front of a crowd with over 7,000 in attendance. "Defense is the story tonight," Caraway said. "They got all those great picks."

Poly quarterback Eban Jackson at one point was a perfect 4/4 for 100 yards, and finished 6/10 for 141 yards, two touchdowns and two costly interceptions. Manusamoa Lu'uga finished with 104 yards rushing on the night. 

 Before Friday night's game, Poly won 11 straight games against difficult opponents like Mission Viejo, St. John Bosco and Mater Dei. 

Granite Bay's defense shut down Poly's running game in the fourth quarter and forced them to use their passing game where they also capitalized on turnovers.

Starting in 2015, CIF Executive Director Roger Blake announced that the State Bowl games would rotate between Northern and Southern California sites.

For more photos from this game go to www.tgsportstv.com, click on the Prep/JC Gallery and scroll down to Division I  State Bowl Granite Bay @ Long Beach Poly.