Preps: Gregory Thomas
1. (1) Long Beach Poly (10-1)
The Jackrabbits avoided a repeat of last year’s first-round exit, scoring touchdowns on each of their first six drives. This is a different bunch. Last week: Beat Newport Harbor, 49-14. Next: second round vs. Santa Margarita at Veterans Stadium, Friday.
2. (3) St. John Bosco (8-3)
Many doubted, and now many believe. The Braves, who finished third in the Trinity League, took down the Serra League champions thanks to DaVonte Young’s short touchdown run with less than a minute left. Last week: Beat Alemany, 33-28. Next: second round vs. San Clemente, Friday.
3. (4) Charter Oak (10-1)
A running clock was implemented to start the fourth quarter Friday, an indication of the combined power of Charter Oak’s two units. Travis Santiago passed for 322 yards and five touchdowns. Last week: Beat Corona Santiago, 63-21. Next: second round at Upland, Friday.
4. (5) San Pedro (11-0)
The top-seeded Pirates rolled behind quarterback Kenny Potter’s three total touchdowns and an effective run game led by Gregory Thomas. Now they’ve got the two-time defending champs. Last week: Beat Gardena, 49-7. Next: second round vs. Crenshaw, Friday.
5. (6) Narbonne (8-3)
The second-seeded Gauchos got another great showing from ESPNU 150 quarterback Troy Williams (234 yards and three touchdowns). They scored on four of their first 11 plays from scrimmage. Last week: Beat Reseda, 52-7. Next: second round vs. West Adams, Friday.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Blair Angulo
Blair Angulo is a general contributor for ESPNLA.com, is a co-author of the UCLA blog and also has covered the Angels, Dodgers, Sparks and soccer, among other things. He also was an intern at the L.A. Daily News.
Follow him on Twitter.
Dan Arritt
Dan Arritt has covered preps in SoCal for 17 of the last 19 seasons, beginning with the L.A. Times Orange County edition in 1993 and moving downtown from 2001-2008. A graduate of Long Beach State, he also covers the Kings for ESPNLA and Clippers home games for NBA.com. Follow him on Twitter.
Sean Ceglinsky
Sean Ceglinsky has covered sports in Southern California the past 15-plus years, including preps and colleges for the Los Angeles Times and L.A. Daily News, among others. Follow him on Twitter.
Tim Haddock
Tim Haddock is a writer and radio broadcaster who has covered preps, college sports and motor sports for the Los Angeles Times, L.A. Daily News and Long Beach Press-Telegram. Follow him on Twitter.
Martin Henderson
Martin Henderson is a local editor for Patch.com. He was a reporter for 18 years with the Los Angeles Times, and wrote on preps for the Orange County Register as well.
Jim Barrero
Jim Barrero is an editor for ESPNLA.com. He began covering preps in 1989 for the Pasadena Star-News, where he later became prep editor. He also worked for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, covered soccer for The Sporting News and was an editor-writer at the Los Angeles Times for 10 years.