Long Beach Returns Plenty of Firepower

Long Beach Poly’s football team ended Mater Dei’s 27-game winning streak with a 28-25 victory in the Southern Section Division I championship game Dec. 13.

In the process, the Jackrabbits continued a streak that could approximate the Monarchs’ by December of next year.

Quarterback Chris Lewis, running back Larry Croom, wide receiver Kareem Kelly and defensive back Darrell Rideaux are only a few of the key players who will return next season from a team that won its first Division I championship since 1985.

“I think we have yet to reach our passing potential,” said Poly Coach Jerry Jaso, whose team also beat Fountain Valley, Redlands and Loyola in the playoffs. “When Chris was a sophomore, we were a passing team because we were young and inexperienced. This year, we were a passing and running team--we had good balance. Next year, I think we can be an even better throwing team. And our defense should be strong as well.”

The champions in the Southern Section’s other divisions also enjoyed memorable seasons.

Santa Margarita won its second consecutive Division V title. Hacienda Heights Wilson (Division VI), Bloomington (Division VII) and Arrowhead Christian (Division XII) also repeated as champions.

Palos Verdes Peninsula won its first section title and capped a 14-0 season with a victory over Chino Hills Ayala in the Division II final.

Arroyo Grande and Moorpark also won their first titles.

Arroyo Grande finished fourth in the Northern League but upset top-seeded Newbury Park in the first round and went on to win the Division III championship with a last-minute win over Sherman Oaks Notre Dame in the final.

Moorpark beat Fillmore, St. Bernard, Carpinteria and St. Monica en route to the Division X championship.

Chino, led by running back Josh Levi, won its first title since 1948 by defeating Riverside North in the Division IV championship game.

Laguna Hills, the Division VII champion in 1991, won the Division VIII title by defeating previously unbeaten La Mirada.

Mira Costa, a Division IX finalist in 1996, took care of unfinished business by defeating Monrovia for the division title.

Lancaster Paraclete defeated Banning for the Division XI championship, the Spirits’ first title since 1967.

Santa Maria Valley Christian won the Large Division and Rio Hondo Prep the Small Division of the eight-man playoffs.