Still hurting

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With a key Moore League game coming up, Long Beach Poly would like to be at full strength, but the Jackrabbits’ starting quarterback still isn’t.

Junior Morgan Fennell, the player who most benefitted by the bye Poly (4-1, 1-0) had last week, may still have to miss Friday’s 7 p.m. game at Millikan (5-0, 2-0) because he is still being bothered by back spasms and hasn’t practiced with the team so far this week.

‘He’s a whole lot better and his back’s stronger, but what we’re looking for is a lack of pain, and I know it’s still hurting him,’ Coach Raul Lara said. ‘I think, right now, it’s not good.’

Of course, Lara said the same thing when the Jackrabbits faced Lakewood two weeks ago, and Fennell played in that game.

Fennell, who began experiencing problems over the summer, completed five of six passes for 26 yards before being replaced by senior Randall Cox in a 13-6 victory over the Lancers on Sept. 28.

Cox, 5 feet 9 and 170 pounds, is quicker and faster than the 6-1, 190-pound Fennell, and provided a boost in the backfield, completing three of seven passes for 64 yards and a touchdown in the game, the first in which he spent time at quarterback. Cox, who is also a receiver, has 10 receptions for 113 yards.

‘He gives us a little bit of a spark,’ Lara said. ‘He’s an athlete back there.’

Other than Fennell, the Jackrabbits appear to be heathy. Senior offensive lineman Daveon Akinsanya, (6-3, 330 pounds) is expected to return to the lineup after missing the Lakewood game with a high-ankle sprain.

- Lauren Peterson