St. Bonaventure to play Long Beach Poly
The St. Bonaventure High football program didn’t take a step back when a two-year series with 2006 Division III state champion Oaks Christian was not renewed.
It made a giant leap forward.
Long Beach Poly, one of the most successful programs in the history of Southern California, has agreed to an Oct. 10 game with St. Bonaventure.
The first-ever meeting between the two schools will be held at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium in Long Beach, said St. Bonaventure coach Todd Therrien. There is no contract for a second game.
“We want to see whether we belong on the same field with them,”
said Therrien. “It is an honor that we’re going to be playing them.”
Dating back to its first CIF title in 1919, Poly teams have made 20 section championship appearances, winning 16. Over the last 11 years, Poly teams have six titles and two runner-up finishes in section finals.
Poly was 13-1 and ranked No. 20 by USA Today last season, while St. Bonaventure (14-1) won the Northern Division — the ninth section title in school history — and Division III state championships. St. Bonaventure’s only loss was to Crespi. Crespi faced Poly in the Pac-5 section final, losing 13-3.
St. Bonaventure athletic director Mike Gianelli and assistant athletic director Raul Camacho began talks with Poly administrators during the Northern Division championship game at the Home Depot Center.
“My initial thought,”
said Therrien, “was how can I tell my principal (Marc Groff) that we agreed to the game. Luckily, I didn’t have to make the call. My athletic director did.”
It has been eight years since Poly has played an area team. The Jackrabbits played Santa Barbara in 1999 and 2000, winning 21-13 and 62-0.
Historically, Poly has produced a succession of graduates to the NFL.
Poly won’t be the only quality program on St. Bonaventure’s non-league schedule.
St. Bonaventure opens the season at home on Sept. 5 against Santa Margarita. The Seraphs will be on the road the following week against three-time section champion Atascadero and have home games against Los Angeles Jordan (Sept. 18) and Crespi (Sept. 26).
St. Bonaventure’s offense will have a new look after graduating quarterback Casey Serna, running back Darrell Scott, three linemen and a tight end.
“Casey will be the toughest to replace,”
said Therrien. “He is a great athlete.”
Competing for the starting quarterback position are Logan Meyer, who started for the freshman and JV teams, and Tieler Souza.
“Right now, Logan is the man,”
said Therrien. “He’s 6-foot-2, 210 pounds; looks like a linebacker. He has a great arm and can pull it down and run. He brings a little boom when he takes off running.”
