Long Beach Poly Airs It Out

There aren’t many ways to stop Long Beach Poly High. Los Alamitos had to try something though and figured focusing on tailback Hershel Dennis was the best plan.

Dennis was largely held in check in Friday’s Southern Section Division I semifinal.

But that didn’t stop the Jackrabbits.

Quarterback Brandon Brooks threw two long touchdown passes in the first half to spark a 28-7 victory before an estimated 10,000 at Veterans Stadium.

Brooks threw for 287 yards as the defending champions advanced to the title game next Saturday night at Edison Field where they will play Huntington Beach Edison, a 41-7 winner over Santa Ana Mater Dei.

Dennis was held to 96 yards in 23 carries, the first time this season the star running back hasn’t reached 100 yards.

Los Alamitos (9-3-1) couldn’t match up with 6-foot-7 tight end Marcedes Lewis or 6-3 receiver Jonathan Johnson.

Lewis caught a 47-yard scoring pass in the second quarter to tie the score, 7-7.

Two possessions later, Johnson found an open seam in the middle and Brooks connected with him on a 74-yard touchdown.

Johnson caught two passes for 103 yards, Lewis had four receptions for 79 and Derrick Jones had two catches for 35.

“Everybody is going to key on Hershel,” Johnson said. “But he’s not the only guy we have. If they stop Hershel, we know we can go to somebody else.”

Long Beach Poly (11-1) sacked Jeff Kline five times and held Los Alamitos to 83 yards.

“They just had too much for us,” Los Alamitos Coach John Barnes said. “They’re just so physical. Watching them ... it’s hard to believe they’re the same age as us.”

The Griffins stunned Poly early with trickery. Jones took a pitch from Kline and threw back to the quarterback. Kline passed to a wide-open Travis Brody for a 40-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead.