Football: Moore League teams trying to raise level

It has been Long Beach Poly and everyone else in the Moore League for several years now. No one is happy the league remains in the Pac-5 Division except for the Jackrabbits. The seven teams have a combined record of 5-8 after two weeks of the season. Three teams are guaranteed Pac-5 playoff berths.

The good news is probably starting next season, a new Southern Section playoff format will enable teams that make the playoffs to be placed in divisions based individually instead of what league they play in. All the Moore teams that make the playoffs other than Poly will get playoff relief.

Coaching stability is an issue in the league. There are new head coaches this season at Long Beach Millikan, Compton, Long Beach Wilson and Long Beach Cabrillo. Lakewood and Poly have second-year coaches.

There is talent in the league. Eight grads from the Moore League made NFL rosters.

Poly and Millikan have both started 2-0. Millikan gets a major test against San Marcos Mission Hills on Friday.

But Poly figures to be on cruise control again in league play, and that’s not exactly a great way to prepare for the Pac-5 playoffs in which almost every playoff game is like playing for a CIF championship. Getting the rest of the teams in the league to raise their game is in the Jackrabbits’ best interest.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer