Pac-5 Division first look
December 10th, 2008, 5:57 pm · · posted by Steve Fryer
Pac-5 Division
Tesoro (13-0) vs. Long Beach Poly (13-0)
Site, date, time: Angel Stadium, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
TV: FSN Prime Ticket
Outlook: Tesoro was near-perfect last week in a 42-14 victory over Orange Lutheran in the semifinals. The Titans had a 28-0 lead at halftime. Quarterback Robbie Picazo threw three touchdown passes. He has thrown 32 touchdown passes with five interceptions this year. Preston King has 78 receptions for 1,174 yards and 12 touchdowns, and has nine interceptions on defense. He threw a touchdown pass against Lutheran. Brett Gudim has 43 receptions, 14 for touchdowns, and also has nine interceptions. Strong-and-quick running back Zach Mitchell has rushed for 1,168 yards.
The Titans beat Los Alamitos, 23-7, in the first round and Mater Dei, 38-35, in the second round. They are ranked No. 5 in California by calhisports.com, and were No. 1 in the final Orange County media rankings. Tesoro was seeded third going into the playoffs. The Titans went 5-0, including victories over Mission Viejo and San Clemente, for the second year in a row in the South Coast League. They had nonleague victories over playoff teams El Dorado, Fountain Valley and La Mirada.
Poly is the No. 1 in the state rankings. The Jackrabbits won the Pac-5 championship last year, with a 13-3 victory over Crespi of Encino in the final at Home Depot Center. In these playoffs Poly beat Bishop Amat of La Puente, 21-17, in the first round; Esperanza, 17-10, in the second round; and Lakewood, 20-10, in the semifinals.
The Jackrabbits are, as usual, quick and physical on defense and have a productive running game. They have two 1,000-plus yards running backs: Melvin Richardson, who has rushed for 1,306 yards and 21 touchdowns; and Daveon Barner, who has rushed for 1,127 yards and seven touchdowns. Linebacker George Daily-Lyles, who has 101 solo tackles, has committed to Hawaii. Cornerback Lazarri Middleton committed to Nebraska.
MORE FIRST-LOOK PREVIEWS:
- Southern Division: Laguna Hills vs. Mayfair
- Southwest Division: La Habra vs. Tustin
- East Valley Division: St. Margaret’s vs. Twentynine Palms
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OC H.S. Sports
hey, update the link properly please!
OC Varsity: The La Habra/Tustin link goes to Tesoro/Poly story.
Should be fixed now. Thanks Jerry!
Hey O-Lu fan here………… Tesoro to smoke Poly………………
Score 31-14
Poly didn’t get where it is by getting “smoked”. They’ve taken on the best teams in the Southland, and while they don’t put up many points, they don’t give up many either. Tesoro can win this game by scoring 20, because I doubt if Poly can score more. This is probably the best match up of physical teams this year, and only Corona Centennial comes close in terms of overall athleticism. I predict this is going to be a great game. Hope for dry weather, and this should still be close going into the 4th Q.
Lets remember something here, these are High School kids and not College or Pro Athleats, I graduated from Poly 30 years ago yet I do not relive My youth through the efforts of 16-17 year old kids.
Very Happy that Poly is in the finals and if they loose My day will be no better or worse off, I just Hope there are no injurys for both teams and all the Kids who play in the game give it all they have and leave it on the field.
Tesoro looks like an amazing team, it is good to see more and more parity in Socal sports.
It was a shock that Fryer went with Tesoro over Poly. In america you can pick any side you want, McCain/Obama, Angels/Dodgers, Ginger/Maryann, or paper/plastic. Fryer stand up to the powers that be at the Register and pick the best team. This county line homer stuff is pathetic. The best sports journalist are not afraid to stand alone and risk criticism. If it was Poly against Dana Hills, Fryer would still go with the OC team. I love the OC, best place to live and raise a family. But The TRUTH vs. HOMERISM, I’ll go with the Truth.
Maybe I should breathe now, and this is not that serious.
Yes Honey, that my wife telling me to calm down and take a valium.
Good luck to TESORO/POLY
If Tesero plays Poly anything close to the way they played Olu then Tesero wins easily. A side note… Olu was not prepared to play that game against Tesero. It was evident from the first play. They never seemed comfortable and the coaches made no adjustments.
Tesero 28 Poly 7