Long Beach Poly Not Taking Status for Granted

Long Beach Poly High has, according to at least one nationally recognized poll, the best high school football team in the nation.

Poly also has, according to some experts, at least five players who are among the best at their position in the nation.

And the Jackrabbits have a first-year head coach who is taking absolutely nothing for granted.

“We have a lot of potential,” said Raul Lara, who was a Poly assistant for 12 years before taking charge in June. “Athletically, we’re very talented. But we still have to go out there and do it.”

The Jackrabbits, led by running back Hershel Dennis and tight end Marcedes Lewis, have the kind of talent that might make some college programs envious. But they certainly aren’t a lock for the Southern Section Division I title. Rialto Eisenhower, powered by quarterback Idris Moss and running back Damian Huff, is also poised to make a title run after losing to Los Angeles Loyola last year in a semifinal. Eagle Coach Tom Hoak is concerned about linebacker Ron Lancaster, who is out indefinitely after sustaining a separated elbow last week, but said his team should contend barring additional injuries.

Santa Ana Mater Dei, which failed to reach the championship game last season for the first time since 1995, is retooling with the addition of running back Rafael Rice, a Loyola transfer, and the emergence of quarterback Colt Brennan.

And don’t be surprised if Santa Margarita or Loyola advances deep into the playoffs. Santa Margarita has Ashton White and Thomas Cappelletti--sons of Heisman Trophy winners Charles White and John Cappelletti--on its roster. Loyola has perhaps the stingiest defense in the Southern Section.

Division II

The road to the title in this division is again likely to run through the Baseline League, where contenders Chino, Upland and Claremont reside.

Upland defeated Chino twice last season--including a 26-10 victory in the championship game--but Highlander Coach Tim Salter is the first to point out that a reversal of fortunes may be in order.

While Chino returns a preponderance of starters, including star wide receiver Chris McFoy, Upland will rely primarily on tailback Geremy Bascomb for offensive punch. Bascomb had more than 1,000 yards combined rushing and receiving last season.

Mission Viejo and Compton Dominguez also appear ready to take a step up in class. The Diablos’ fortunes will rest largely on the success of tailback Robbie Dubois, while the Dons are stacked with top skill position players.

Alta Loma and Claremont, also in the hunt, will get a chance to distance themselves from the rest of the pack when they play each other Thursday at La Verne Bonita High.

Division III

Newhall Hart will be trying to extend several streaks. The Indians have won three consecutive section championships, 10 consecutive Foothill League titles, 48 consecutive league games and have had an All-Southern Section quarterback 16 seasons in a row.

Quarterback Matt Moore, who replaced Stanford-bound Kyle Matter, who replaced California-bound Kyle Boller, who replaced Nevada-bound David Neill, has been firing the ball with accuracy and power. The defense is anchored by Chris Frome, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound end who has committed to Notre Dame.

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame also has a solid defense with Tim Volk, a 6-3, 245-pound end who has committed to Arizona. Quarterback Phil Beckmann doesn’t make many mistakes and kicker Nick Folk is a special-teams weapon.

Quarterbacks Ryan O’Hara of Pasadena Muir, Hudson Gossard of Crescenta Valley and Erik Vose of West Hills Chaminade give their teams a boost on offense, while workhorse running back Michael Okwo has Manhattan Beach Mira Costa hoping for a return to the division final.

Division IV

Ventura, behind the national-record breaking rushing of Tyler Ebell, rolled to the title last year, but Ebell and several other key Cougar starters have graduated.Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village Westlake of the Marmonte League and Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo of the Northern League appear to be the teams with the best chance of following Ventura as champion.

Thousand Oaks lost its first five games last season, but won five of its last six. Several key starters return for the Lancers, including Ben Olson, one of the most highly touted quarterbacks in the nation, and Dave Anderson, an All-Division IV selection at wide receiver.

Westlake, the 1999 Division IV champion, was upset by Lompoc in the second round of the playoffs last year. But running back Jonathan Contos, quarterback Todd Feiereisen and Chad Spears, a wide receiver and defensive back, return for a team that beat Santa Maria St. Joseph, 49-0, in its season opener last Friday.

Arroyo Grande tied for second behind San Luis Obispo in the Northern League standings last year, but advanced to the Division IV championship game where it lost to Ventura, 35-14. Tight end Brian Watje, an All-Division IV selection, and center Nick Milhahauser are key returning players for the Eagles.

San Luis Obispo was upset by Agoura, 44-34, in the first round of the playoffs last year, but 16 of its 22 starters return. Scott Garrison is an All-Division IV selection at linebacker. Tailback Matt McCormickrushed for 1,247 yards and 18 touchdowns last year.

Division V

Corona Centennial, which last season won its first section championship, will attempt to repeat with a young and inexperienced team. The graduation of key starters such as standout running back Mike Bass, who last season led Riverside County in rushing, will make the Huskies’ task all the more difficult. The team will get a lift from senior wide receiver and defensive back Terry Richardson.

Centennial will get an early test Friday when it plays at Eisenhower.

“It’s good playing them early to find out our weaknesses,” Centennial Coach Matt Logan said. “We gotta find out where we are. We lost a lot of key players but the kids are excited about this game.”

Other players to watch include defensive back Rafael Simon of Riverside Arlington and offensive lineman Allen Petroff of Wildomar Elsinore.

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Times staff writers Mike Bresnahan, Valerie Gutierrez and John Ortega contributed to this story.