I may have been in Downey for the Lynwood at Warren SGVL clash but I've first got to touch upon the game that was played on the east side of Long Beach Friday night.
I can't recall a more stunning Moore League score than the 35-34 that gave Millikan its double-overtime victory over Poly since the 15-13 score that gave the Rams' their last victory over the Jackrabbits -- in a Moore League finale in 1985 that handed the eventual Southern Section Big Five (as it was called then) co-champion its first defeat of the season.
Props to Millikan's Kirk Diego (as well-liked and respected as any coach in the area) and his Rams for the victory that pushed them to 6-2 and put them solidly in position for a berth in the Southern Section playoffs.
I don't know all the details but I read in Bob Keisser's early story that the Jackrabbits committed 19 penalties and had a significant number of turnovers.
Not to take anything away from Millikan's effort, but that sounds like the Jackrabbits -- who had a bye last week after their defeat to Lakewood -- either weren't mentally or physically ready to give the kind of performance needed to start a new winning streak Friday.
Suddenly, the Jackrabbits -- at 2-5 overall and 1-2 in Moore League -- find their playoff hopes sliding close to the precarious side.
Four Moore League games (at Wilson next Friday; at home to Cabrillo; and on the road to Compton) remain for Poly. The Jackrabbits have to win two their streak of not missing the playoffs since 1979 will be snapped.
Of course, this has been a season for streak-snapping for Poly opponents . . .
Two of next Friday's Moore clashes (Poly at Wilson and Millikan at Lakewood) are now among the most significant games in the Southland next week.
Thoughts on other games:
*Warren outscored Lynwood 28-0 in the second quarter to spark a 38-21 victory over Lynwood.
The Bears' Jesse Callier is the best high school running back I've seen this season but I'm not sure Warren's defense -- burned by Lynwood's quickness at times -- is quite stout enough to win four Southern Section Western Division playoff games.
*Norwalk (60-8 over Cerritos) and La Mirada (42-12 over Mayfair) sure set the table very nicely Friday night for their Suburban League showdown at Excelsior Stadium next Friday evening, didn't they?
*Servite snapped its mega losing streak (since 1988) to Mater Dei Friday night at Santa Ana Stadium by stopping the Monarchs, 30-20, in a Trinity League game. Like I said with Lakewood knocking off Poly a few weeks ago: If the Friars couldn't beat Mater Dei this season with the Friars clearly having the most gifted team, maybe it was never going to happen again.
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