L-R: Maranatha Coach Steve Bogan, Running back Jacob Moreno, QB Kwon Peterson, Poly QB Graham Olson, Wide Receiver Christian Henderson, Coach Chris Schmoke. By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor Both Poly and Maranatha have much to be proud of. The Panthers and Minutemen have smaller rosters than most area teams, but they’re both loaded with intelligent […]
L-R: Maranatha Coach Steve Bogan, Running back Jacob Moreno, QB Kwon Peterson, Poly QB Graham Olson, Wide Receiver Christian Henderson, Coach Chris Schmoke.
By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor
Both Poly and Maranatha have much to be proud of.
The Panthers and Minutemen have smaller rosters than most area teams, but they’re both loaded with intelligent young men that possess high character.
Poly heads into tonight’s (Thursday) kickoff at 7 with more momentum, but Maranatha has to be more hungry, especially based on the past two weeks’ results.
Maranatha (4-1) scored 112 points in wins over Rim of the World, Pasadena and then Azusa to start the 2017 season.
But in the past two weeks, the Minutemen have scored 10 total points in a 7-3 win over Campbell Hall, and just a field goal in a 42-3 trouncing at the hands of Brentwood last Saturday afternoon.
Poly (3-1-1) is a couple penalty calls and one made (and short) field goal from being 5-0.
The Panthers began the season at Temple City, and dropped a 20-6 contest to the Rams.
Since then, Poly hasn’t lost.
They won their past two (versus Mary Star of the Sea and Rosamond) by a combined margin of 93-6.
Their common opponent is Brentwood.
On September 8, Poly and Brentwood settled for a 14-14 tie after neither team was able to score in the three overtime periods.
Six days ago, Brentwood put the wood to Maranatha, 42-3, in a game the Minutemen would like to soon forget.
One concern both quarterback Kwon Peterson and coach Steve Bogan have had all season is Maranatha’s failure to play focused and with their foot on the petal all four quarters.
Peterson said the week leading up to the Brentwood game in terms of practice was disappointing and it showed on Saturday.
Poly’s Achilles heel thus far has been holding penalties that have cost the Panthers more than a handful of touchdowns called back.
Maranatha key players: Quarterback Kwon Peterson, running back-receiver Jacob Moreno, wide receivers Awan Parker, Chandler Auguste, Sumner Ortlund.
Poly’s key players: Quarterback Graham Olson, running backs Cameron McFarlane and Jackson Treister, wide receivers Jackson Hayes and Christian Henderson.
Peterson is, along with St. Francis’ Darius Perrantes, one of the area’s best two quarterbacks in terms of stats and talent. He’s able to make things happen even when the pocket breaks down.
Olson is a dual threat on both sides of the ball for Poly. As the quarterback, he has a strong throwing arm and can move some, and he’s just as dominant as a defensive end.
McFarlane and Treister could be key to victory if they’re able to sustain long drives on the ground to eat up the clock and keeping Peterson on the Maranatha sidelines.
Both sides have big-play receivers, as Hayes and Henderson for Poly, and Parker and Auguste can break off long catch-and-runs at any place on the field.
Two X-factors to look out for might are Maranatha’s Jacob Moreno and Poly’s Thomas McConnell.
Moreno is, often times the smallest guy on the field for the Minutemen, but no player has as much impact on every play like No. 21. He’s on the field for every play of every game and wherever the ball is, look for Moreno.
McConnell is keeping the family name alive at Poly after his brother Will graduated last year.
McConnell had led the Panthers in tackles and has forced turnovers just like his big brother. He seems to find a way to make a play that gives Poly momentum when they need it most.
Other guys to look out for: For Maranatha, watch Sumner Ortlund, who is prone to making a big catch when the Minutemen need it, and for Poly, watch junior Franco Alonso, who is dangerous on both sides of the ball.
Quotable:
Poly coach Chris Schmoke: “We need to try to slow down their big offensive weapons. (Kwon Peterson, Awan Parker, Sumner Ortlund) are dangerous. We need to try to keep Kwon in the pocket and not let their wide outs get over the top. Jacob Moreno is tough as well and is a real worker. On offense, we need to keep the chains moving and finish drives. As always, limiting penalties and turnovers is big. We recognize this is a step-up game for us, and we have a ton of respect for coach Bogan and Maranatha.”
Maranatha coach Steve Bogan: “There a few things we’re working on, but our biggest issue is getting healthy and getting the same eleven on the field so we can get our identity back. Our next biggest issue is to get our “competitive” fire back.”
Maranatha quarterback Kwon Peterson: “The key to winning is just wanting it more than they do. Whomever wants it more is going to win. As an offense, we need to step up this week and not rely on the defense to win the game for us. We’re going to have to score this week.”
Poly quarterback Graham Olson: They have a QB (Peterson) that is very good and can make things happen on the run, so our cornerbacks are going to have to stay home and stick with their guys so we don’t give up big plays. My job is making sure I get the ball to our guys. We have a lot of great athletes and I want to get them the ball.
