Within the days main as much as Friday night time’s Moore League showdown between Lengthy Seashore Poly and Lakewood, the main focus centered on whether or not Jackrabbits transfers Madden Iamaleava and Jace Brown would be capable to play.
The 2 had been on the sideline and took part in a pregame ceremony honoring the group’s seniors however, because it turned out, the gamers who did go well with up did simply advantageous for Poly — significantly junior quarterback Deuce Jefferson.
After recognizing Lakewood a 14-point lead within the first 5 minutes the host Jackrabbits reeled off 47 unanswered factors on their approach to a 47-20 victory at Veterans Stadium.
Jefferson, who once more is perhaps the signal-caller subsequent week as a substitute of Iamaleava, definitely made a case for being the starter subsequent season, tossing 28- and 47-yard landing passes to star receiver Jayden Coley within the first quarter, engineering a protracted drive to place the Jackrabbits forward, sprinting 79 yards for a rating to open the second half and hitting Kamarie Smith over the center for a 23-yard landing to make it 34-14 late within the third quarter. Jefferson completed with 175 yards and 4 touchdowns by the air.
“I just go out and work as hard as I can in practice each and every day,” Jefferson mentioned. “We had a couple tough losses early but they only made us stronger. On the touchdown run I see green grass in front of me and took off.”
Quarterback Deuce Jefferson dives for a primary down within the first half in opposition to Lakewood at Veterans Stadium on Friday.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Occasions)
Coley’s shoestring catch of a tipped ball gave Poly (2-3, 2-0) the ball contained in the Lancers’ one-yard line and Benjamin Harris plowed into the top zone on the subsequent play to place Poly forward 21-14 early within the second quarter. Lakewood went for it on fourth and one on the Jackrabbits’ eight-yard line with 20 seconds left within the half however tailback Josiah Apisala was tackled a foot brief.
Apisala capped the Lancers’ first drive with a seven-yard run. They recovered a fumble on the following kickoff and quarterback Kade Casillas made Poly pay by scrambling out of the pocket and tossing a 33-yard scoring strike to Cecil Xavier Smith. Lakewood (3-3, 1-1) didn’t rating once more till late within the fourth quarter.
Each groups had been coming off of shutouts of their league openers final week. Poly blanked Jordan 33-0 and Lakewood blew out Compton 57-0.
UCLA commits Iamaleava and Brown, each seniors, began the yr at Downey Warren Excessive and performed the opening sport for the Bears earlier than enrolling at Poly on Sept. 5. Each try to achieve eligibility. Poly introduced Iamaleava has made a sound change of residence, making him eligible instantly. He was an All-CIF quarterback at Warren final season. Brown performs receiver.
Southern Part transfers who sat out after transferring with out transferring might be eligible Sept. 30. Poly coach Stephen Barbee didn’t touch upon the transfers besides to say that paperwork has been submitted and it’s now as much as the CIF to resolve when the star transfers might be given the inexperienced mild.
Lengthy Seashore Poly receiver Dylin Bruce, proper, tries to make a catch ultimately zone as Lakewood’s Tiwan Jones defends on Friday.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Occasions)
