Top Performers: Long Beach Poly vs. Millikan

<p>Friday night Long Beach Poly and Millikan linked up for an important Moore League battle at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. Both teams have been dealing with adversity this season, but they turned in an impressive showing that ended with a 2-point victory for the Jackrabbits. Millikan scored 19 unanswered points to close out the game but couldn't climb all the way back from a 24-3 deficit.</p>   <p>Here is a look back at the top performers on both sides from the 24-22 victory for Long Beach Poly.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">The senior running back left his mark on Friday's game and was the most productive player on the field. Khan guided the comeback attempt for Millikan that came up just short. The Rams scored 19 unanswered points through the third and fourth quarters. Khan was responsible for much of that production. He finished the night with 171 total yards including multiple highlight plays. He scored a big 48-yard touchdown to make it a one-score game in the fourth. The play highlighted his breakaway speed and elusiveness. There is not much wasted movement in his game, and he was able to line up all over the field Friday night. He has impressive vision as a runner and his ability to utilize his speed in the open field was impressive in the game.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MattRMoreno/status/1976863840618090545 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Injuries for Poly forced Dawson into a big role Friday night, and the sophomore delivered with 92 yards rushing and a touchdown. He runs bigger than his size and did not avoid contact on his 18 carries in the game. He is a downhill back who also is shifty and has an ability to slip through tackles. Dawson had several carries where he attacked the teeth of the defense between the tackles to pick up yards. His touchdown run came on a misdirection play that ended with Dawson simply being faster than the defense to get in the end zone.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MattRMoreno/status/1976843296183099414 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">The senior did not put up astronomical numbers Friday night but he also didn't play the position for the Jackrabbits prior to the Week 7 game. Galeai only had three incompletions in the game and finished with 125 yards passing plus a touchdown. He rebounded nicely from an early mishap on an errant snap with several strong passes. Galeai worked at defensive end prior to Friday's game, so his move to quarterback going as well as it did is impressive. He didn't take too many chances but was solid his delivery and ability to accurately make all the throws need to move the offense.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Galeai's lone touchdown pass came on a throw to Hernandez early in the game sparking what would become a 24-3 lead for the Jackrabbits. The Colorado State commit plays both ways as a tight end and defensive end and could play either one at the next level. As a tight end, he has the full skill set to make an impact both in the passing game and as a blocker. He was a big help in the running game Friday with his ability to reach the second level and clear space for the running backs. Hernandez caught his touchdown coming out of the backfield showcasing his natural athleticism as a pass catcher.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MattRMoreno/status/1976839113962913825 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">The sophomore cornerback is already receiving plenty of recruiting attention from across the country. Friday's performance was a glimpse into what the big cornerback is capable of in the secondary. Simms has the frame of a high-level cornerback, and he continues to develop the type of game to go with it. He had a couple impressive pass breakups in the loss including a play in the end zone to prevent a touchdown. His ability to play in man coverage is impressive, and he has fluid hips allowing him to play out on an island regardless of the matchup. He plays with great vision and his instincts jump out as well.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">The senior lineman deserves plenty of credit for not coming off the field and playing both his roles at a high level in Friday's game. He helped protect Galeai as an offensive lineman, but his best work was on defense in the win for Poly. He came up with an interception late in the first half on a play that showcased his awareness. It was his performance on a goal-line stand that left a strong impression. Day came up with back-to-back stops on running plays up the middle as he used his strength to generate push leading to a stop. He plays with good pad level and was overpowering at the point of attack in Friday's game.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MattRMoreno/status/1976844873488908689 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">The San Diego State commit is consistent in his ability to make an impact off the edge. He is an aggressive outside linebacker who often finds himself around the ball. McCutcheon came up with a key tackle for loss late in the game. McCutcheon does a good job of not allowing himself to be taken out of position or out of the play. His speed serves him well as an edge rusher as well as a tackler in his ability to get run the ball carrier down.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">The two-way athlete has been seeing increased recruiting attention during his sophomore season. Anderson again showed Friday why college programs are continuing to pursue him. The sophomore plays as both a defensive back and receiver for the Jackrabbits. His performance on offense stood out most in the win over Millikan. His first big reception set up the second Poly touchdown as he took a screen pass and weaved his way 25 yards through traffic to get into the red zone. Anderson has impressive elusiveness and his ability to make plays after the catch is one of his best attributes. He had a long touchdown pass called back for a penalty along the offensive line as well.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MattRMoreno/status/1976844076814418213 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">The Colorado State commit continues to learn all the ins and outs of the tight end position, but his ability to catch the ball always stands out. He caught a touchdown pass in Friday's game on a bootleg play that allowed the big tight end to get in space with only one defender to beat. Nelson is a strong route runner who knows how to get open to make plays at all levels. He rarely came off the field for Millikan and has plenty of upside as an edge rusher as well.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MattRMoreno/status/1976871377513988460 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">The defensive back who is committed to Cal has become a veteran leader of the Poly secondary now as a senior. He made a key late play in Friday's game to help secure the victory. Jackson battled with Colorado State tight end commit [player_tooltip player_id='1182931' first='Jude' last='Nelson'] for a ball in the end zone on a 2-point conversion and came up with the breakup on the play. It preserved a 24-22 lead for the Jackrabbits and summarized the night for Jackson well. He is a tough defensive back who is versatile as well with his ability to defend different positions.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MattRMoreno/status/1976872425519563238 </div></figure>

Friday night Long Beach Poly and Millikan linked up for an important Moore League battle at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. Both teams have been dealing with adversity this season, but they turned in an impressive showing that ended with a 2-point victory for the Jackrabbits. Millikan scored 19 unanswered points to close out the game but couldn't climb all the way back from a 24-3 deficit.