Coaching, Execution Too Much for Poly

It’s foolish to think Concord De La Salle High is going to lose a football game anytime soon. Those who thought Long Beach Poly’s speed, size and tradition might threaten the Spartans’ winning streak were living a dream.

De La Salle has won 130 consecutive games over 11 seasons because its coach, Bob Ladouceur, is a high school version of John Wooden. The Spartans demolished Poly, 28-7, Saturday at California’s Memorial Stadium with their usual display of fundamentals and unselfishness.

While teenagers usually want glitter, hype, fancy towels and fancier nicknames, Ladouceur repeatedly convinces his players to sacrifice in the name of victory.

“You’re playing for the guy next to you,” defensive lineman Chris Mulvanny said.

De La Salle players will do anything for the good of the team. On De’Montae Fitzgerald’s 73-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter that broke open a 13-0 game, it was teammates’ downfield blocking that created the open lanes. They gave up their bodies to shield Fitzgerald and left even the most loyal Poly supporters sensing defeat was inevitable.

Once again, De La Salle (5-0) came up with a surprise standout in a big game. Last season, it was unsung running back Maurice Drew scoring four touchdowns in a 29-15 victory over Poly. This time, quarterback Britt Cecil, who hadn’t thrown a touchdown pass this season, threw three, ran in one and passed for 237 yards.

Poly players never think another team is better than them, but De La Salle’s overwhelming performance earned praise from the Jackrabbits.

“They execute everything,” linebacker Mark Washington said. “They’re almost on a college level. Their coach has them ready for every situation.”

Poly defensive back Freddie Parish, who has committed to Notre Dame, said, “Their hearts were bigger than ours today.”

Anyone among the crowd of more than 14,000 would say Poly’s overall team speed was better.

“There’s no way we could duplicate their speed,” Ladouceur said. “We’re not slow, but we’re not as fast as they are.”

De La Salle didn’t allow any game-breaking plays because of a disciplined defense that doesn’t gamble and always tries to contain.

“We worked hard on our technique,” said Mulvanny, who had two sacks. “The coaches explained [Poly] may be bigger and faster but technique would win the game.”

The question many want to know is how long can De La Salle keep winning? The answer is probably as long as the players keep listening to Ladouceur.

“It’s an extraordinary feat,” USC Coach Pete Carroll said earlier this week about the streak. “They have so many kids playing hard, aggressive football. They really capture an intensity level. It’s the way they play that’s so special.”

Ladouceur has been dubbed “the coach who never loses,” and it’s true. The unbeaten streak has lasted 10 years, 32 days, and neither Ladouceur nor his players show any discomfort over the pressure to keep winning.

“I think it’s amazing in so much that our high school kids have been able to maintain their level of focus and attention,” he said. “A lot of people think high school kids are lazy and flaky. That has not been my experience. They’ve been very mature about their approach to everything around this school.”

The Spartans certainly turned in their best effort Saturday. All summer and fall, their focus had been on preparing for Poly. “This whole year was dedicated to this game,” Mulvanny said.

Now Poly (4-1) must regroup to defend its Southern Section Division I championship. There will be tests ahead, with Los Alamitos, L.A. Loyola, Santa Ana Mater Dei and Anaheim Servite lurking as challengers. The Jackrabbits are capable of finishing on top. Parish and Washington are defensive standouts. Center Hercules Satele is a punishing blocker, and quarterback Leon Jackson still has time to improve.

But they must admit that De La Salle is in a class by itself in California football.

“Eventually [the streak’s] going to end, but I can’t see it happening anytime soon,” Washington said. “I’m definitely a believer. You can’t refute it when you get beat twice.”

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Eric Sondheimer can be reached at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

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*--* Southland Sweep Six of Concord De La Salle’s record 130 consecutive football victories have come at the expense of two of the Southland’s most storied programs. The results: 1998 De La Salle 28, Mater Dei 21 With the score tied at Edison Field and De La Salle facing a third-and-32 situation at its own 19, Atari Callen gained 58 yards on a draw play. Three plays later, the Spartans scored the winning touchdown 1999 De La Salle 42, Mater Dei 0 When Mater Dei stacked the middle to defend the run, sophomore Matt Gutierrez passed for 300 yards and six touchdowns at University of the Pacific 2000 De La Salle 31, Mater Dei 28 In the closest call of the streak, De La Salle’s streak survived when Mater Dei’s David New was wide to the left on a 34-yard field-goal attempt in the final minute at Edison Field 2001 De La Salle 34, Mater Dei 6 Alijah Bradley ran for 206 yards to lead the Spartans to a romp at University of the Pacific De La Salle 29, Long Beach Poly 15 Maurice Drew scored four touchdowns at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach in a battle of teams ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in the nation 2002 De La Salle 28, Long Beach Poly 7 Britt Cecil passed for three touchdowns -- the first three of his career -- and ran for a fourth score at California’s Memorial Stadium

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