Flintridge Prep boys’ water polo scratches seven-year itch versus archrival Pasadena Poly

LA CAÑADA — Scribbled across a mounted white dry-erase board about five feet from the Flintridge Prep pool was an ominous date in Rebels’ history.

In black marker was written Oct. 20, 2007, which stood for the last time the Rebels defeated Prep League archrival Pasadena Poly, one of the San Gabriel Valley’s most successful water polo programs.

In what turned into a red-letter day for Flintridge Prep, the Rebels scored Wednesday afternoon’s first 10 goals and banished whatever baggage was associated with years of frustration versus Panthers in a 16-4 home victory.

“If you would have asked me the last time we beat Poly prior to last week, I would have thought when [Ronald] Reagan was president because it just seems that long,” Flintridge Prep Coach Dan Hare. “They’ve been the standard in league for so many years and it just seemed like year after year, no matter how well we played, we couldn’t win.

“It feels great to finally win.”

CIF Southern Section Division IV ninth-ranked Flintridge Prep (15-5, 4-0) all but iced the game in the first quarter against rebuilding Poly (3-16, 2-3).

The Rebels took a 9-0 lead after one quarter behind five goals from senior utility player Diego Delgado, who eventually led all players with nine goals, two blocks and three steals.

“I remember the first time we played Poly and they had Henry Pray and Colin Woolway and it was like, ‘There’s no way we’re going to beat these guys,’” Delgado said. “Now, to be on the flip side, to be scoring nine goals in a row and beating them, it just feels great.

“I only wish that all the guys who have played with me throughout the years could have been here to experience this. The monkey is finally off our backs.”

Poly eventually stopped a 10-0 game-opening run by Flintridge Prep with a goal from Omar Dairi, a senior utility player and Glendale resident, with 1:34 remaining in the second quarter.

To the Panthers’ credit, they played the Rebels even in the second and third quarters in trailing, 13-4, after three periods.

Flintridge Prep closed with an impressive fourth quarter, winning the session, 3-0, while forcing eight turnovers and holding Poly to one shot.

“We take pride in our defense and being able to hold Poly down,” Rebels senior Miles Harber said. “I’ve been part of six straight losses to Poly and it’s great to finally get one on them.”

While the victory was a long time coming for the Rebels, Poly Coach Ryan Katsuyama wasn’t surprised with the Rebels’ win and ascent to the top of the Prep League standings.

“I know they lost 10 seniors from last year, but this is a very good program,” Katsuyama said of Flintridge Prep. “They had a good junior varsity team and I thought that they would be very strong this year. They’ve certainly progressed and Dan deserves a lot of credit.”

Kasen Barraclaugh added three goals, three assists and four steals for Flintridge Prep, while Sean King chipped in two goals and four steals and the goalie tandem of Alex Hirsch-Marin and Greg Walsh finished with nine saves.