Long Beach Poly Has Another Banning Test

Long Beach Poly’s football team got off to a good start with a victory over defending San Diego Section Division I champion Vista in its opener, but the Jackrabbits will be severely tested tonight when they go against Wilmington Banning and All-American running back Chris Howard.

Last year, Howard gained 181 yards in 17 carries and scored on a 44-yard touchdown pass, but Poly beat the Pilots, 35-34.

Poly clinched the victory when Darrell Rideaux stopped Howard on a two-point conversion run with 3:15 left.

Banning is coming off an impressive 49-19 victory over defending City champion Woodland Hills Taft. Howard gained 230 yards and scored three touchdowns against Taft.

Poly, which has not lost to Banning since 1991, beat Vista, 19-14, by overcoming a 14-13 deficit. Quarterback Brandon Fasavalu scored the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter on a six-yard run.

“This Poly team may not have the speed it had last year, but the majority of their linemen on both sides of the ball are outstanding,” Banning Coach Ed Lalau said. “Their skill guys are not 200-meter champions, but they definitely are capable of making the big plays. And I think their defense is better than last year.”

*

Oceanside El Camino’s 66-13 victory over Vancouver College Prep of Canada gave Coach Herb Meyer his 300th victory, making him the first California football coach to reach that milestone.

But Marijon Ancich of Santa Fe Springs St. Paul is not far behind. St. Paul defeated Mission Viejo, 21-18, in its opener to improve Ancich’s record to 296-98-8, according to Cal-Hi Sports.

St. Paul plays Oxnard on Friday. If the Swordsmen stay unbeaten, Ancich will reach 300 victories Oct. 8 at Alta Loma.

*

La Mirada running back Mike Lemon, who gained 2,595 yards and scored 34 touchdowns last season, broke his leg on the third play of La Mirada’s 40-0 victory over West Torrance and will sit out the rest of the season.