By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor The 2017 edition of Chris Schmoke’s football program is confident it has the skill players to eclipse even last year’s run. But where this team could supersede last year’s model is making a deeper than second-round CIF playoff run. The Panthers open the season Friday at Temple City at 7. […]
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
The 2017 edition of Chris Schmoke’s football program is confident it has the skill players to eclipse even last year’s run.
But where this team could supersede last year’s model is making a deeper than second-round CIF playoff run.
The Panthers open the season Friday at Temple City at 7.
Schmoke is 38-10 through four seasons at the helm and his players buy into and embrace his philosophy.
In any program, the most scrutiny and interest when discussing how successful one’s football team can be is the quarterback position.
For Poly, seniors Matt Loomis and Graham Olson will share the duties.
Loomis will start Friday and Olson will get a number of series’ as well, but Olson is also key on defense, which might give Loomis a little more time behind center.
At running back, though, there is no question that Cameron McFarlane is the guy to watch.
McFarlane is as skilled and versatile and he is intelligent and humble, and both the senior and his fifth-year coach are expecting huge things from him.
“Cameron McFarlane is self-made,” Schmoke said. “He came in his freshman year and doesn’t look anything like he does now. If he can come out and play like he’s capable of, he will be an absolute force on both sides of the ball.”
McFarlane hopes to make as much of an impact on the defensive side of the ball as he does with the rock in his hands, but he seems equally as focused on being a guy who holds his teammates accountable, and is someone the younger guys look to in regards to how to play the game the right way.
“I need to lead the young guys and teach them the culture in how we play football and fight for our part in Pasadena,” McFarlane said. “We need to make the playoffs and show everyone who doubted us they were wrong.”
Christian Henderson is also another key returning player and is someone who can and has brought kickoffs back for scores and is able to make big-yardage plays once he gets his hands on the ball at receiver.
Perhaps a kid that some might mistakenly underestimate because of his size, but will make as big of an impact as anyone is two-way starter Jackson Hayes.
Hayes will get the ball at the slot position and will help anchor the Panthers’ defensive backfield.
He may stand about 5-foot-8 and is somewhere near 135 pounds soaking wet, but Hayes is not only capable of knocking an opponent on his ass, he has done it way more times than people could imagine.
Hayes has no fear and is one of the school’s most respected competitors.
Schmoke said Sean Tibay is a quiet leader and someone who anchors the offensive line.
He’s also happy to have junior Franco Alonso back after a year’s absence and considers Franco their X-Factor when it comes to someone who could be the difference in Poly having a good year or a great one.
What made last year so special and keyed the 11-game winning streak was how they scored touchdowns in every possible way, including interception and kickoff returns.
Poly is primed to have a huge season, and they are itching to get started on Friday night.
Quotable:
Poly coach Chris Schmoke: “We have a lot of guys who we can get in space and let them do what they do. We hope to be balanced. We have two senior quarterbacks who are going to split time. If we have a hot hand going, we’ll probably stick more with that. Right now, both have looked pretty good in camp.”
Poly running back Cameron McFarlane: “We are more skillful and quicker and smarter than last year’s team and I think it will show.”
Poly slot/DB Jackson Hayes: “We have a lot of seniors, but we sometimes have trouble focusing, so we need to keep people in check. We have some speed this year. We’re more experienced and have much of our offense returning.”
Poly lineman Sean Tibay: “As a three-year starter on varsity, I’m mainly going to be leading the offensive line, and I’ll be the guy who’s reading the defense and communicating with coach on the reads. I believe this team might be the best (of the three years I’ve been here) because of the experience.”
Poly all-purpose player Matt Queen: “I feel like my biggest role is at safety and just being clean up on the defense. If anything gets through, I need to stop it every single time.”
2017 Poly Football Schedule:
August 25: Poly at Temple City at 7
September 2: Mission (British Columbia) at Poly at 1
September 8: Poly at Brentwood School at 3
September 16: Mary Star of the Sea at Poly at 2
September 22: Poly at Rosamond at 8
September 28: Poly at Maranatha at 7
October 13: Poly at Boron at 7
October 19: Poly at Trinity Classical at 7 **
October 27: Firebaugh vs Poly at South Pasadena High School at 7 **
November 3: Rio Hondo Prep at Poly at 3 **
** Denotes Prep League Games
*** Editor’s Note: Please send us any pictures that parents might take and we’d be happy to use them. We’ll credit whomever takes the photos, but we need them the same night they play.
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