DIVISIONS I-II FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS

Long Beach Poly 21, Los Angeles Loyola 13--Poly isn’t used to getting high point totals against Loyola. But the Jackrabbits don’t usually lose to their Catholic foes, either.

That form held true Friday, as Poly ran out to a quick lead, then held on for a 21-13 victory over Loyola before an estimated 7,000 at East Los Angeles College.

The win not only moved Poly (10-1) into the Division I semifinals next week against Los Alamitos, it continued the Jackrabbit’s current mastery of the Cubs. Long Beach has now knocked Loyola (7-3-1) out of the playoffs four of the past five years. And the Cubs haven’t beaten the Jackrabbits since 1973.

Poly tailback Hershel Dennis rushed for 155 yards on 26 carries, and quarterback Brandon Brooks threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted twice.

Poly went ahead 15-0 in the second quarter on a one-yard plunge by Brooks, and a 14-yard pass from Brooks to Marcedes Lewis (four catches, 77 yards). In the third quarter Brooks completed a 43-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Jones.

But Loyola made things interesting by scoring twice in the fourth quarter on a two-yard run by Chad Slapnicka, and a 21-yard touchdown pass to Quintin Daniels from quarter Adam Gonzalez, who threw for 195 yards.