Prep passing tournament delivers several messages

Having won 16 Southern Section football championships and produced more NFL players than any high school in America, Long Beach Poly would seem the most unlikely of schools to engage in a rousing celebration after winning a meaningless seven-on-seven passing tournament.

But Poly’s victory over Santa Ana Mater Dei in the Nike tournament final on Friday at Long Beach Veterans Stadium was something to get excited about.

“I think it’s really going to be scary,” Coach Raul Lara said about the Jackrabbits’ potential for success this fall.

Poly had never won a passing tournament under Lara because the Jackrabbits are all about physicality up front and athleticism all over the field. And their passing attack has been erratic for years. Opponents have always worried if Poly ever found a competent quarterback, their chances of beating the Jackrabbits would be very difficult.

Now Lara says he thinks he has found a quarterback with talent and leadership skills in junior Morgan Fennell, whose short touchdown pass to Kevin Norrell on the game’s final play defeated Mater Dei.

“Fennell brings a different element into the offense we

haven’t had in a long time,” Lara said.

Fennell sensed the importance of a victory over Mater Dei and junior quarterback Matt Barkley, who had three passes intercepted by Poly’s outstanding defensive backs.

“It’s a step forward,” he said. “We’ve been through ups and downs. Mater Dei is a great team, and for us, this is special.”

Poly defeated Encino Crespi and Huntington Beach Edison earlier in the day. “Shock the world” was the rallying cry shouted out by a Poly player during the semifinals.

Mater Dei knocked off Newhall Hart and Mission Viejo to reach the final.

Poly receiver Randall Cox was selected the tournament most valuable player. Poly is supposed to be full of talent on its offensive and defensive lines, and if Fennell turns out as good as Lara thinks, the Jackrabbits should be in the thick of the race for the Pac-5 Division championship in December.

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There is no tackling allowed in seven-on-seven passing competitions, but that doesn’t mean serious injuries don’t happen.

Two weeks ago, two Hart players collided in a tournament. One suffered a skull fracture and needed 68 stitches. The other player had a concussion and almost lost his two front teeth.

On Friday, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame receiver Mike Gerski injured his pancreas while trying to make a catch against Mission Viejo. He underwent surgery at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and was listed in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit.

Hart Coach Mike Herrington said he doesn’t believe the passing competitions are becoming too dangerous for players.

“Kids are getting bigger and faster, and freak things will happen,” he said.

Notre Dame Coach Kevin Rooney said Gerski’s injury was the most serious from a summer passing competition in his 27 years as coach.

“He got a knee into his belly,” Rooney said. “It is frightening.”

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UCLA Coach Karl Dorrell made a bold decision in May to offer a scholarship to Edison quarterback Nick Crissman, choosing him over several other prominent seniors. Crissman quickly committed, and based on how much he keeps improving, Crissman might end up being a steal.

At 6 feet 3, 200 pounds, Crissman is already looking physically stronger than he did in June, when he took over an Edison offense that returned no veteran receivers.

“He’s done a great job because he’s had to adjust,” Edison Coach Dave White said. “We were dropping so many balls. He’s grown up and matured. He’s become a better quarterback, not just a better thrower.”

Dorrell could be getting ready to pull the trigger on another quarterback offer. Crespi’s Kevin Prince is thinking about going on a Mormon mission when he graduates in June, and he could be a candidate to join the Bruins, with an intention to enroll in 2010.

Prince, whose father attended UCLA, was expected to meet with Dorrell later this month to discuss his options. Washington and Brigham Young have already made offers to Prince, who has made impressive improvement this summer.

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