If someone were to look at the Poly stat sheet over the past 10 weeks, you’d see a long list of names that were responsible for the Panthers’ 10-0 record. But there are five guys that much is expected. John Genske calls the shots at quarterback, and has been at his best in the last […]
If someone were to look at the Poly stat sheet over the past 10 weeks, you’d see a long list of names that were responsible for the Panthers’ 10-0 record.
But there are five guys that much is expected.
John Genske calls the shots at quarterback, and has been at his best in the last month.
Brady Carter and Cameron McFarlane spearhead a productive running game.
Christian Henderson is the Panthers leading receiver, and Will McConnell is a defensive stalwart.
Poly won their 10 games this season by an average margin of 36-7, and in Prep League play, they had a 44-4 (per-game) disparity.
The Panthers earned a Prep League championship and a home playoff game.
Poly hosts Pacifica of Garden Grove (6-4) in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 10 bracket at 7.
With knowledge that Poly’s closest game was a 14-point win over Brentwood School, and a 61-point victory over Firebaugh was the largest, the ‘Poly 5’ didn’t often play four full quarters.
Their numbers, while impressive, would be much higher had they been challenged more this season.
Quarterback John Genske:
Genske has been very effective overall, but he seems to be peaking right when coach Chris Schmoke wanted and needed.
Genske has completed 74 for 146 passes for 1, 254 yards. He’s thrown 16 TD passes and has only been picked once. Genske has also rushed for 5 more TD’s.
“John Genske has really progressed as a QB this year,” Schmoke said. “John played wide receiver for us 2 years ago, and had some big catches on a 12-1 team as a sophmore. Last year, he started at QB and performed well, but this year he has really taken the reigns of the offense and is making adjustments and decisions indiciative of a senior. In addition to that, he is a great kid.”
Genske is also a basketball player and someone who almost didn’t come out for football, but his brother Will convinced him he would regret it every day.
He is very happy to have taken his brother’s advice, and says his favorite moment this season was walking off the field at Rio Hondo Prep, and knowing they had clinched the Prep League title against a school Poly has not had that much success with.
Genske said the team chemistry is a huge factor in why Poly is 10-0 for the second time in three years, and a reason they bounced back from a 5-loss season of a year ago.
“I think we’ll be prepared no matter how talented or physical the teams that we face in playoffs are,” Genske said. “The group of boys on this team has shown a strong resiliency and a determination, and I know that each player will put everything they have forward in the playoffs. My favorite part is having a coach like (Chris) Schmoke. He’s a man’s man. He is diligent about teaching every single one of his players what it means to be a student, a son, a friend, and a teammate.”
Running back/linebacker Brady Carter:
Brady Carter is one of those guys that all coaches want and need.
He is smart, humble, does anything he’s asked and does it well.
Carter has rushed for 516 yards on 68 carries and has rushed for 6 touchdowns.
He’s also caught 5 passes for 87 yards and scored two more TD’s, but he also leads the Panthers with 71 tackles.
“Brady is one of those “heartbeat” of the team type guys,” Schmoke said. “He has worked really hard the past couple of years on his overall strength and his knowledge of the game is second to none. He really studies during the week to be prepared for our opponent. He and Will (McConnell) make all of our defensive on-field adjustments. Offensively, Brady is a beast. He has had some big runs in big spots for us.”
Carter has not only sharpened his body dramatically by dropping 30 pounds, his grade-point average has gone from 3.2 to 4.3 at a school known for its academic excellence.
“Two years ago we were a very similar team to this year’s team. We had a dynamic offense and a lock down defense,” Carter said. “Every win that we have is dismissed by the community as a joke. I think in the last four years we have put Poly on the map, football wise, but that is a never-ending uphill battle due to our prestigious academic reputation. Beating Rio Hondo for the second time at their place was something special for sure.”
Running back/linebacker Cameron McFarlane:
McFarlane leads the Panthers with 589 yards on 69 carries, including 8 TD runs.
He’s also caught three passes for 81 yards, and has 48 tackles on defense.
“Cameron is another guy who has transformed his body in the off season and his confidence has continued to grow,” Schmoke said. “Cam dedicated a lot of time over the winter preparing for the season and we have seen the results on the field. He is big, strong and fast. He makes plays that we have not seen here at Poly. He has the ability to play in a lot of spots for us, and he is still just starting to realize his potential. He is going to be scary good.”
McFarlane is a very intelligent, well-liked and as good an athlete as Poly has.
He never played tackle football until his freshman year, and was something he called ‘terrifying.’
But he’s a force on both sides of the ball now.
We asked each player what kind of reaction they get to being a small school and not playing powerhouses en route to a 10-0 record.
“As Coach Schmoke says, “we roll 30 large,” and that is all we need.”
He went on: “10-0 is 10-0 and people need to recognize that fact,” McFarlane said.
“We have definitely been tested. We have faced big linemen, large running backs and linebackers, and talented receivers. Our team has been tested on all fronts. I am most proud to be one of fifty. I am proud to be a part of our team and family. Coach Schmoke creates an environment in which we feel like a family.”
To illustrate the class and selflessness McFarlane possesses, we asked his favorite moment of the season.
“Although it was my worst game, playing in the Rio game was the most memorable moment this season. Our defense stood strong and our offense played the best game of the season, but the best part of the Rio game was seeing the seniors beat Rio for the first time. Before the year began, the juniors met and discussed the season, and the first point that was brought up was giving the seniors their win against Rio Hondo. Our JV team had won last year and our varsity team had won two years ago, but the seniors had not beat the rival school until this year.”
Running back/special teams Christian Henderson:
Henderson is making an impact in ever facet of the game.
He’s caught 18 passes for 346 yards and has scored 4 touchdowns.
Henderson has also carried the ball 25 times for 113 yards and 2 more scores.
A few weeks back, he even had two 80-yard kickoff returns for scores.
“Christian is a playmaker. When we need a spark offensively, defensively or on special teams, Christian seems to thrive,” Schmoke said. “He loves competition and he loves a challenge. Christian is a kid who takes routine plays and makes them spectacular. He is a threat from anywhere on the field.”
Henderson’s favorite moment was the 28-14 win over Brentwood in the home opener, because he felt he played his most complete game and that everyone on his team played a role in what turned out to be their most competitive game.
As well as he’s played, Henderson thinks he still could have done more. It’s not that he wants bigger numbers for bragging rights, it’s that his teammates and coaches mean the world to him.
“My favorite part about being a member of the Poly football program is that we all know each other on a very personal level and have a great relationship with our coaches,” Henderson said. “Also, I am proud to say that I attend such a an excellent school and still can be successful in our endeavors.
“My role on the team is to provide offense and special teams play for our team. Also, when needed, I come in at cornerback as well, but I do not start on the defensive side of the ball. My standards for the year were very high as I hold myself to high standards.”
Defensive back Will McConnell:
McConnell doesn’t have flashy numbers that the other four have offensively.
But he’s been arguably as dominant as Carter, Genske, Henderson and McFarlane on the defensive side of the ball.
McConnell leads the Panthers with 7 interceptions.
Will McConnell is a throwback football player in a lot of ways,” Schmoke said. “He’s also been one of the smartest players I have coached. Coach Harrison (our defensive coordinator) really puts a lot on Will in terms of adjustments, calls, and really running the defense on the field. Will handles it magnificently, and seems to be in on most tackles. His 7 interceptions this year lead the team, and while he is a quiet kid off the field, his play speaks volumes.”
McConnell, just like the other four, looks back to two years ago when the Panthers went into the playoffs 10-0 and made a semifinal run, and they all seem to see similarities with chemistry.
He’s also scored a touchdown on offense and on defense.
“The best moments for me this season have been when our team has rallied through games where we’ve just been somewhat “off.” Seeing us push through those sluggish days and grind out victories has made me really respect the guys around me and made me proud to be a part of this team,” McConnell said.
One of the more impressive aspects about this team, and McConnell in general is their collective intellect, their priorities of family and school first.
Poly won the CIF academic award last season.
They are very busy in extra curricular activities, and don’t see themselves defined as football players.
As well as the ‘Poly 5’ has played, the entire roster has its fingerprints on 10 victories this season.
Jackson Hayes is one of the many that has left it all out on the field.
Coach Schmoke: “Jackson has really taken off the last two games, and you can see how deep we are with weapons. He is another kid who makes highlight-reel runs, and catches. And don’t let his size fool you. He is tough as nails.”
Only time will tell how deep the Panthers go in the CIF-SS Division 10 bracket.
One thing that is already a certain, though, is that these young men will lead impressive, respectful and successful lives thanks to their time at Poly.
Prep League Final Standings
Poly (10-0 overall, 3-0 in league)
Rio Hondo Prep (6-3, 2-1)
Trinity Classical (4-6, 1-2)
Firebaugh (0-10, 0-3)
