News Summary
The Long Beach Poly football team suffered a close loss against the Mission Viejo Diablos, with a score of 14-13. This defeat marks Poly’s fourth consecutive loss, leaving their record at 0-3 for the season. Despite a competitive game characterized by alternating scores, the team fell just short of breaking their losing streak. Looking ahead, Poly aims for their first win against Millikan, while Mission Viejo also faced setbacks in their subsequent game against Woodbridge.
Long Beach, CA — The Long Beach Poly football team suffered a narrow defeat against the Mission Viejo Diablos on Saturday, losing 14-13. This loss marks the team’s fourth consecutive defeat, stretching back to the previous season, as their current record falls to 0-3 for the ongoing season.
Mission Viejo’s victory improved their record to an even 2-2. The game against Long Beach Poly featured a tense back-and-forth where the teams traded scores, but ultimately, a single point separated the two on the scoreboard, leaving Poly just shy of breaking their losing streak.
Looking ahead, Long Beach Poly is set to host Millikan for their next game on September 25 at 5:00 p.m., seeking to secure their first win of the season. Meanwhile, Mission Viejo faced Woodbridge shortly after their victory over Poly but encountered their own issues, suffering a 13-0 defeat.
The Long Beach Poly football program has a storied history, with a total of 20 CIF Southern Section championships to its name. The most recent championship win for the program came in 2021 when the team secured a Division 4 title. This rich tradition adds weight to their current struggles, as the team grapples with its current performance under interim leadership.
Earlier this summer, the assistant football coach at Long Beach Poly welcomed the new coach of Mater Dei, Raul Lara, to a passing tournament. Lara, a graduate of Poly, previously served as the head coach at Poly, leading the team to five Southern Section championships before transitioning to Mater Dei, which is recognized as a strong competitor this season.
Mater Dei’s team boasts several highly-recruited players including Chris Henry Jr., Mark Bowman, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, and Gavin Honore, enhancing the competitive landscape. During the tournament, standout performances were witnessed from tight ends, with Bowman, Nickerson, and Hernandez showcasing their skills.
On Long Beach Poly’s roster, junior cornerback Donte Wright has drawn attention due to his physical prowess and speed, as he has committed to Georgia, indicating the potential for future success beyond high school football.
As the summer season winds down, teams are finishing up their seven-on-seven passing tournaments, with official practices scheduled to commence on July 28. In the meantime, Long Beach Poly is also in the midst of seeking a new head football coach following the resignation of Stephen Barbee after seven seasons in charge. The school’s athletic director and assistant principal are keen on finding a candidate with high school or equivalent coaching experience who is familiar with Poly’s esteemed traditions.
Applications for the vacant coaching position are due by December 20, with interviews anticipated to wrap up by the end of the month, giving hope for a fresh start as the team aims to turn around its fortunes for the remainder of the season.
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Additional Resources
- MaxPreps: Long Beach Poly Comes Up Short
- LA Times: Raul Lara Returns to Long Beach Poly
- Press Telegram: Top 10 Defensive Players for 2025
- Wikipedia: Long Beach Polytechnic High School
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football Game
Author: STAFF HERE MISSION VIEJO WRITER
MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER The MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMissionViejo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Mission Viejo, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair, Walk Against Drugs & Community Fair, and National Night Out. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, plus leading businesses in retail and education that power the local economy such as The Shops at Mission Viejo, Capistrano Unified School District, and Amazon Delivery Station. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
