Long Beach Poly defeats Harbor City Narbonne, 19-16

It wasn’t for a lack of chances.

Harbor City Narbonne started three drives in Long Beach Poly territory in the final 9 minutes 6 seconds Friday night at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach, needing a touchdown to pull out a come-from-behind intersectional victory.

But the Gauchos couldn’t even muster a first down in the final quarter of a 19-16 defeat.

Narbonne’s best chance came on its final drive when a long third-down pass glanced off Greg Clark’s fingertips in the end zone. A play later, quarterback Troy Williams’ final pass fell between Clark and A.J. Richardson in the end zone.

“I’m just disappointed we couldn’t quite finish,” said Gauchos Coach Manuel Douglas, whose team wiped out a 13-0 halftime deficit with a pair of third-quarter touchdowns. Tray Boone ran for a 74-yard score and Williams bulled ahead for a one-yard touchdown to give Narbonne a 14-13 lead.

Poly quarterback Chaiyse Hales passed for 184 yards and three touchdowns, the last score coming on a one-yard connection with tight end Bradford Carter late in the third quarter that gave the Jackrabbits (3-0) a 19-14 lead.

Hales also had two passes intercepted, including one in the fourth quarter.

Narbonne started its final three drives at the Poly 30, 41 and 43. The Gauchos (1-1) lost eight yards on the first drive, lost four yards on the second and lost five yards on the third, with the Jackrabbits sacking Williams four times.

“This is Poly High School,” Coach Raul Lara said. “Poly’s all about defense until our offense gets really clicking.”

Poly set up Narbonne’s final drive when Lara instructed his punter to run out the back of the end zone for a safety with 1:25 left. A personal foul on the ensuing free kick then gave the Gauchos the ball in Jackrabbits’ territory.

They never could reach their intended destination.

ben.bolch@latimes.com