A New Era for Poly Football
Long Beach Poly opened the 2026‑27 season with a 24‑7 road win over Downey, a performance that instantly elevated expectations for the Jackrabbits. Coach Travon Patterson was handed a Gatorade bottle by his players moments after the final whistle, a vivid symbol of the team’s unity.
The defense set the tone early, with safety Toa Cagnolatti intercepting a pass and racing downfield before lineman Sammy Timu recovered the ball for a touchdown. Throughout the contest the Jackrabbits limited Downey to just 26 passing yards in the first half and kept the opposition under 60 yards through the air, while a sack by Timu helped seal the shutout.
Quarterback Ace Fa’agata orchestrated a pivotal scoring drive in the second quarter, connecting with Zion Anderson, Julius JuJu Johnson and Jayden Coley before Coley capped the series with a 25‑yard touchdown reception. The drive showcased the offense’s growing chemistry after a slow start.
Kicker Jonas Mendoza extended the lead with a 41‑yard field goal, pushing the margin to 24‑7 with seven minutes remaining. The game concluded when Downey failed to convert on fourth down, leaving the Jackrabbits with a turnover on downs.
Fa’agata finished his first start 16‑of‑26 for 160 yards, adding two touchdowns and 30 yards on the ground. Coley contributed 10 catches for 92 yards and a score, while Anderson recorded four grabs for 43 yards and a touchdown. Running back Jeron Johnson broke loose for 60 yards, and Elijah “Bubba” Dawson added 23 yards, including a key first‑down conversion.
Patterson credited the support of his staff, especially video coordinator Tyae Burford’s compilation of the 2008 championship team and insights from Merle Cole and Don Norford, for reigniting a proud Poly tradition.
The squad’s buy‑in stems from many players being the sons of former Poly athletes, a shared heritage that fuels a collective desire to restore physicality and chase a championship culture.