By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor Poly became the only Pasadena area football program to win a league championship on Friday. The Panthers got tested in an early 2:30 p.m. kickoff, and Rio Hondo Prep battled throughout, making the win and championship even more special. Poly earned the 20-13 victory, which clinched their second consecutive league […]
By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor
Poly became the only Pasadena area football program to win a league championship on Friday.
The Panthers got tested in an early 2:30 p.m. kickoff, and Rio Hondo Prep battled throughout, making the win and championship even more special.
Poly earned the 20-13 victory, which clinched their second consecutive league crown and third in four years for Panthers’ coach Chris Schmoke.
Rio Hondo Prep took an early 6-0 lead.
Cameron McFarlane got Poly out on top when he scampered in from 3 yards out and the Panthers converted on their extra-point attempt for the 7-6 lead.
The Kares regained the lead at 13-7, on a 5-yard TD toss to Mikey Tsogt.
Franco Alonso picked off a Rio Hondo Prep pass and Jackson Treister turned that into 7 points and a 14-13 lead when he scored on a 61-yard sprint.
Christian Henderson, many said, was the difference, including his 47-yard Pick-6 for the score and he finished with two interceptions on the afternoon.
Treister finished with north of 100 yards rushing.
Poly will wait until Sunday morning to get their playoff bracket from the CIF-SS office.
Quotable:
Poly coach Chris Schmoke: “I was proud of our kids grit. Rio had a couple of great goal line stands against us and we again struggled with some penalties but our kids were able to rise above that and get big plays when we needed it. Hats off to both teams for a heck of a high school football game.”
Poly senior Jackson Hayes: “We started out pretty slow on offense, but luckily our defense kept us in it all game. Eventually we started picking up some momentum and got a few big scores. I love how we hung in there and fought to the very last second. It was really a team effort.”
Poly senior Christian Henderson: “The title was also special with Coach Schmoke explaining to us the we had just won 3 out of 4 Prep League titles. That game meant everything to me as a senior! To end my Poly football career with a win in a game like that was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I am also thankful to have been alongside my closest friends while accomplishing all of this!”
Poly senior Cameron McFarlane: “Rio Hondo is always a fun game. They have a terrific football program and it’s always a highlight to beat them. Our team really came together in this game and we really saw how we needed to play as a team to win.”
Prep League Standings:
Poly (8-1-1 overall, 3-0 in league)
Rio Hondo Prep (6-4, 2-1)
Trinity Classical (3-7, 1-2)
Firebaugh (2-8, 0-3)
