News Summary
In a startling defeat, Long Beach Poly’s football team lost 56-7 to Mission Viejo during a recent nonleague game. The team’s offense struggled after an initial touchdown, allowing Mission Viejo to dominate with quarterback Luke Fahey leading the charge. With Poly’s record now at 3-3, concerns rise about their upcoming games. Senior quarterback Deuce Jefferson showed promise with a touchdown before leaving the game due to injury. Mission Viejo’s efficient passing and strategic plays highlighted Poly’s need for in-game adjustments moving forward in the season.
Mission Viejo, California — The Long Beach Poly football team faced a serious setback on Friday as they suffered a lopsided 56-7 loss to Mission Viejo in a nonleague matchup held at Mission Viejo High School. This defeat has brought Poly’s overall record to 3-3, raising concerns about their upcoming games.
Despite a brief moment of competitiveness, the Long Beach Poly team allowed 49 consecutive points within the final 29 minutes of play after initially tying the game at 7 in the second quarter. Senior quarterback Deuce Jefferson briefly brought the team back into the game with a 5-yard touchdown run, showcasing his impressive performance with 59 rushing yards and one touchdown on eight carries in the first half. However, after completing 7 of 12 passes for 64 yards and an interception, Jefferson was injured midway through the second quarter and did not return to full health.
While Jefferson attempted to re-enter the game in the second half, he ultimately left for good in the third quarter. He was followed by Legend Galeai, who took over as quarterback in the fourth quarter but struggled, throwing an interception on his first pass attempt. The need for in-game adjustments has become evident for Long Beach Poly’s head coach Justin Utupo, who emphasized the importance of maintaining a “next man up” mentality amidst injuries.
On the other hand, the Mission Viejo side showcased a dominant performance spearheaded by their senior quarterback Luke Fahey, who is committed to Ohio State. Fahey completed an impressive 22 of 24 passing attempts for 329 yards and two touchdowns, significantly contributing to his team’s overwhelming advantage. Junior receiver Jack Junker was a key target for Fahey, recording six catches for 161 yards and scoring two receiving touchdowns.
The game began with Long Beach Poly’s defense momentarily stopping Mission Viejo’s opening drive, giving hope to their supporters. However, the offense struggled to move the ball effectively after the first quarter. The Diablos rallied, scoring 21 points within the last 4:33 of the first half. Following Poly’s touchdown, Mission Viejo quickly regained control with another touchdown from Curtis Lewis, pushing the score to 14-7. Fahey then connected with Junker on a 59-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 21-7, before another touchdown pass of 21 yards to Junker closed out the half at 28-7.
The second half saw Long Beach Poly fall further behind. An early fake punt attempt was unsuccessful, and Mission Viejo capitalized with additional scores, including a 3-yard run by Carson Vandermade and a 2-yard run by Fahey, expanding their lead to 42-7 by the early fourth quarter.
Looking ahead, Long Beach Poly is set to return to Moore League play, with their next games scheduled against Millikan on October 10 and Long Beach Wilson on October 17 at Veterans Stadium. Meanwhile, Mission Viejo will have a bye week on October 17 before facing their rival, San Clemente, in their next matchup.
This game highlights the competitive spirit of both teams and sets the stage for an intriguing continuation of the season for Long Beach Poly and Mission Viejo, each navigating their unique challenges as they move forward.
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Orange County High School Football Mid-Season Awards and Highlights
Mission Viejo Diablos Set to Host Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits
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Mission Viejo Diablos Secure Victory Against Lincoln Hornets
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Mission Viejo Diablos Defeat Lincoln Hornets in High School Football Showdown
Additional Resources
- OC Register: Mission Viejo Football Dominates Long Beach Poly
- Los Angeles Times: Top 25 Southland High School Football Teams
- Press Telegram: Long Beach Poly Overwhelmed by Mission Viejo
- Los Angeles Times: Mission Viejo vs Santa Margarita High School Football
- MaxPreps: Top 25 High School Football Scores
- Google Search: Mission Viejo High School Football
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.
