Big Game Definitely Packed a 1-2 Punch

For one night, Long Beach was transformed into Massillon, Ohio, and Odessa, Texas. For one night, a high school football game in Southern California produced a bigger traffic jam than the Academy Awards.

For one night, a group of teenagers from Long Beach Poly and Concord De La Salle stole the spotlight from the Dodgers, Angels, Lakers, USC and UCLA. More than 17,000 fans came to Long Beach Veterans Stadium on Saturday night.

It was No. 1 vs. No. 2, private school vs. public school, Northern California vs. Southern California. De La Salle had a 116-game win streak dating back to 1991. Poly hadn’t lost since 1998. De La Salle not only defeated the Jackrabbits, 29-15, but reaffirmed its status as a program unmatched in America. Coach Bob Ladouceur, in his 23rd season, is producing John Wooden-like achievements.

The Spartans turned to a relatively unsung junior running back, 5-foot-7 Maurice Drew, to put the Jackrabbits on the defensive from the outset. Drew displayed exceptional speed in catching touchdown passes of 25 and 29 yards and running 17 yards for another score to give De La Salle a 21-15 halftime lead. To say Drew, who added a fourth touchdown, was pumped up wouldn’t be accurate. He was so excited he did a flip in the end zone after his first touchdown, drawing a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

The pressure on the players was immense. There were 121 media credentials issued for the game. It was televised nationally on cable and satellite channels. By many accounts, Poly was considered the favorite because of its roster filled with projected NCAA Division I players. Four are considered among the top 100 senior prospects in the nation. Hershel Dennis, the Jackrabbits’ senior tailback, lived up to his All-American status by rushing for 161 yards in 20 carries.

But De La Salle, an all-boys Catholic school with a student body of 1,050, has shown repeatedly through the years that execution can be more important than talent. Asked how the team could go nine seasons without a defeat, quarterback Matt Gutierrez said, “It’s because we know we are not perfect. We work very hard on minor details, especially developing the person.�

Added Ladouceur: “It’s testimony to what kids are capable of. You can’t underestimate the power kids have.� There was almost unanimous sentiment expressed from players of both teams that participating in the game would be like no other athletic experience they’ve encountered.

“It’s the biggest game of my life,� Gutierrez said.

Even famous alumni standing on the sideline had their adrenaline cranked up.

Former Poly defensive back Mark Carrier, an All-American at USC and first-round draft choice of the Chicago Bears, said, “This is home. This goes deeper than USC. This is family. This is where I started. I had to be here.�

Former Poly receiver Kareem Kelly rushed to the game from the airport after arriving back from Seattle, where he played for USC against Washington. Former Poly quarterback Chris Lewis, a sophomore at Stanford, was grateful the Cardinal had a bye and provided sideline support.

By winning, De La Salle is almost certain to go through a 10th consecutive season unbeaten. With a quarterback the caliber of Gutierrez, the Spartans have a leader who can handle any situation. The 6-4 Gutierrez has a future as a college quarterback and role model. There aren’t many Latinos starting at quarterback at the college or professional level. Gutierrez realizes people will be watching.

“People see my name is Latino and feel proud,� he said. “It will make me proud to represent the Latino community.�

Everyone involved in Saturday’s game, from the players to the coaches to the school administrators, should be commended for putting on a game that was entertaining, enlightening and historic.

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Eric Sondheimer can be reached at [email protected]