After much deliberation it was decided.  We couldn’t sit in the press box.  It was too far from the field, and that’s just not our style.  We couldn’t watch from the sideline, because we could miss a huge play on the opposite side.  So, it was the heart of the Poly cheering section for us.  After four months of pulling for all the Moore League teams, it was time to root out loud for the only Long Beach football team still playing.  As always, this observational article includes uncredited and unappreciated additions from Shar “Ace” Higa, Mike “Class of ‘02” Guardabascio, Matt “Throwback jersey” Guardabascio and Vince “Newest Poly fan” Giramonte.  

1. Waiting in line outside Angel Stadium, Vince and I discuss football at baseball stadiums.  Vince is vehemently against it, pointing out the awkward placement of the seats, locker rooms, and sidelines.  But when he buys a hot dog, I point out only at a baseball stadium can you get such a high-quality dog.  With a full mouth, Vince shrugs.  I win.

2. On the way to our seats near Section 108, I see a Tesoro fan drop some money on the ground.  In an effort to snatch good karma to get all the positive energy on Poly’s side, I get his attention.  He picks up the cash, and says thank you, to which I reply, “No problem, but now we’re gonna beat you for sure.”

3. Mike and I make a stop by the Press Box to eat and watch Sam Bradford win the Heisman Trophy.  Mike is so jittery and nervous, he spills his water all over our stat sheets.  Maybe karma isn’t as happy as I thought.

4. 11,000 football fans in Angel Stadium just isn’t as impressive as 11,000 at Cerritos College last week for the Moore League Super Bowl Round II.

5. After the coin flip, everyone is just standing around.  Then it hits us: this is a TV game, and these delays are for commercials.  We could be here awhile.

6. After two punt returns it’s obvious who Poly needs to stop, and his name is Preston King.  He’s made a few Poly defenders look silly and Tesoro is going to do all they can to put the ball in the hands of #9.

7. The only positive that comes with a televised game is replay ability.  However, whoever is controlling the Jumbotron is failing miserably.  These replays are less consistent than the Chargers running attack.

8. Random clothing spot: There’s a guy in front of us with a Pittsburg High School beanie on.  They lost last night to De La Salle in their championship game.  If I’m him, I’m rooting for Poly to win tonight and then again next week against the Spartans.  But if I were him, I wouldn’t be caught dead in anything that said Pittsburg.

9. The only offensive drive of the first half is from Tesoro.  It included a huge hit on King from safety Ryan Willis, and a pass from King to quarterback Robbie Picazo.  I am more than impressed with King’s toughness.  Like everyone says about the kid, he’s just a football player.

10. The crowd rises as one when Morgan Fennell finds a wide open Damon Smith down the sideline, but it squirts through his hands.  If Poly wants to make a game of it, they’ll need receivers like Smith to make a play. 

11. At halftime, it’s 7-0 Tesoro.  Mike looks super nervous, and I have to remind him that this Poly team has come from behind in each of its playoff wins this year.  His nod says, “Shut up, JJ.”

12. Tesoro’s first play in the second half is a big shot downfield.  I love the way Tesoro’s Coach Barnes calls a game.  He’s a smart risk taker like Johnny Chan at the poker table.

13. Fennell just made the move of the game when he shakes two defenders on a huge third down.  This time the replay operator is paying attention.  He gives us a second look, and the crowd responds with “ohhhh, ahhhh,” like it’s a fireworks show.  That play was just part of the game’s biggest drive so far, capped by a Melvin Richardson 22-yard touchdown run.  That’s a 12 play, 70 yard, seven minute drive.  We’re all tied up, and the Poly crowd’s back in it!!!

14. The guys in front of us agree with our chant, “More Melvin!”

15. Remember what I said about Barnes and his play calling?  On a huge third-and-long, he goes back to the play they ran out of the locker room, and Picazo hits Brett Gudim for the 52-yard touchdown.  If I’m writing this game for a newspaper, I start my lead right now, “Tesoro just had one more big play than Poly…”

16. Tesoro uses backup running back Seth Davis to get into the red zone.  The Poly defense stiffens, and they hold the Titans to a field goal, making it 17-7 with a little under 10 minutes remaining.  You can feel the Poly fans look around and ask, “Is it really not going to happen this time?”  It’s mighty quiet on the green & gold side.

17. After that drop before halftime, Smith has made every play asked of him.  On this must-score drive, he knocks a deep ball out of the defender’s hands, makes a ridiculous against the grain catch on third-down, and on 4th-and-5, with the game on the line and a pressured Fennell heaving it into the back of the end zone, guess who gets there for the touchdown catch?  Yup, that’s Smith, the guy no one will talk about, but who might be the MVP tonight.

18. To no one’s surprise, the Poly defense forces Tesoro to punt.  And wouldn’t you know it, “Boom Boom” takes it in for the game winner from 61 yards out.  In the stands, there is pandemonium for sure.  But at the same time, people keep looking at each other and going, “Is this for real!?!  Did that just happen?!?!”

19.  It did just happen.  Poly wins the 18th CIF title, 20-17.  It’s State in ’08 baby!  How ‘bout that Moore League, huh!?!