Football: Raul Lara has Warren within one win of a playoff berth

Former Long Beach Poly Coach Raul Lara is working wonders at Warren High.

In 2011, Warren was 1-8-1. In 2012, the Bears were 0-10. In 2013, they were 0-10. But this season, in Lara’s first season, Warren is 5-4 and will earn a Southeast Division playoff berth if it can beat Paramount on Friday.

“We win, we go,” Lara said. “For a team that won one game in three years, I think we’re going in the right direction.”

Asked if he was having fun, Lara said, “It’s kind of rejuvenated me. I was at Poly for 23 years. That’s all I know. Everything is different.”

Keying Warren is junior quarterback Jordan Yancy, who’s athleticism has given the team a lift.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer