Khamis’ Interception Puts Edison on Path to Victory

John Khamis’ interception return and Tim Shaw’s leg led Edison over Long Beach Poly, 13-6, in a Division I first-round game Friday night at Veterans Stadium.

Edison (7-4) will play Loyola (9-2) in Friday’s second round.

With Edison trailing Long Beach Poly, 6-0, Khamis intercepted Brian Webster at the Poly 40 and returned it for a touchdown with nine minutes left in the second quarter. Tim Shaw’s kick gave the Chargers a 7-6 lead. Khamis, Edison’s quarterback, has doubled as a safety the last five games.

On offense, Khamis completed seven of 14 attempts for 97 yards and ran for 51 yards in eight carries. Travis Balding carried 23 times for 75 of the Chargers’ 140 yards.

With 7:44 left in the second quarter, Mike Eidam intercepted a Webster pass at the Long Beach Poly seven. Four plays later, Edison took the lead, 10-6, on Shaw’s 22-yard field goal with 5:25 remaining.

Shaw also kicked a 28-yard field goal with 6:19 left in the third quarter. He missed two field goals, one from 38 yards in the final seconds of the first half and the other from 61 yards with three minutes left in the game.

Long Beach Poly (5-6) scored first with 6:29 to play in the first quarter when Webster pitched to Henry Thomas, who ran 34 yards for the touchdown. Richard Gonzales’ kick was wide. Thomas carried 12 times for 101 yards.

Webster, who threw three interceptions, completed six of 18 passes for 85 yards.