Poly’s Fast Start Leads to an Easy Victory

Long Beach Poly made an impact early Saturday, scoring four touchdowns in the first 16 minutes and defeating Kahuku, 42-16, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

The Jackrabbits (2-0) forced six turnovers against Kahuku, the two-time defending Hawaii champions, and ended its 26-game winning streak.

Lorenzo Bursey and Derrick Jones led the way for Poly, ranked No. 1 by The Times. Bursey scored three touchdowns, including a seven-yard run on Poly’s first possession. Jones scored the game’s second touchdown on the final play of the first quarter, a 56-yard reception from quarterback Leon Johnson. He later returned the second-half kickoff 81 yards for a 35-2 lead.

The Red Raiders (3-1), who attempted only 19 passes in three victories this season, abandoned its running game in the second quarter, but was unsuccessful penetrating Poly’s secondary.

Dan Arritt

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It isn’t surprising that Rolling Hills Estates Peninsula defeated Palm Desert on Friday in the Palm Desert girls’ golf tournament but the 32-stroke margin of victory was an eye-opener, considering Peninsula played without top player Annika Windon and No. 4 Mariko Makabe.

Windon took the day off to prepare for a PSAT test. Makabe is undergoing therapy on a shoulder injury that could require surgery and end her season. Still, the Panthers, ranked No. 3 by The Times, proved they have depth by shooting 437 to defeat No. 2 Palm Desert at the Lakes Country Club.

“I was kind of surprised myself,” Peninsula Coach Bob Wilton said. “I didn’t expect that.”

Helping the cause was a career-best 86 by sophomore Jane Park and a 79 by junior transfer Collette Lowe. With Windon in the lineup last Thursday, Peninsula shot 205 to win a nine-hole match against West Torrance at Palos Verdes Country Club.

Peter Yoon