Football: Long Beach Poly, Palisades make early impressions
Jackrabbits, Dolphins have players at passing tourney
Long Beach Poly is loaded with talent. Palisades is ready to join the upper echelon of City Section teams. That’s my impression from getting an early peek at the two schools playing in Saturday’s Bellflower passing tournament.
Poly cornerback Colin Samuel, a 6-foot-3 senior who was at Alemany last season, gives new meaning to the term jam a receiver. He’s similar to running into a brick wall. Receivers have to find a way to get loose. Iman Marshall, Poly’s standout defensive back, didn’t play on Saturday, which tells you plenty about the Jackrabbits’ depth.
The new Dream Team might be Poly’s secondary. Jackie Jones, a junior, is impressive on both sides of the ball. Poly’s new coach, Antonio Pierce, continues to try to instill the discipline needed for the Jackrabbits to succeed.
“We walk, we’re leaving,” he told his players.
Poly is installing a hurry-up, spread offense that will be different from years past. Quarterback Josh Love is expected to run things.
As for Palisades, junior quarterback P.J. Hurst is someone who’s going to make an impact in his first season as a starter. He’s got a terrific arm and has been trained by none other than Venice Coach Angelo Gasca. Combine his arm with athletes such as junior Raynard Beckham and senior Duane McBroom, and the Dolphins have a chance to make a move under second-year Coach Tim Hyde. There’s also junior linebacker Alec Simpson.
What was good to see is a pair of quarterbacks on the field who are two-sport standouts and so far are sticking with playing football. Village Christian quarterback Jesse Hanckel and El Segundo quarterback Lars Nootbaar, a pair of baseball standouts, put away the bat and glove to throw spirals and try to lead their respective teams.
Palisades went 3-0 in its pool before losing in the second round of the playoffs to Long Beach Wilson. Poly dominated and headed home after the quarterfinals, apparently to avoid injuries.
Paramount won the tournament championship after defeating Long Beach Jordan in the final.
Next week, the big tournaments will be at Bonita on Friday and Saturday and at Central Park in Saugus on Saturday.
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