Fourth and Forever

It is redemption season for head coach Raul Lara, who must return his team to its winning tradition or be faced with the prospect of stepping down.. A championship season will require both Coaches and players to step up. The players must give it their all and avoid injury. The Coaches must inspire and make solid decisions. There are two contenders for the all-important quarterback position: Chaiyse Hales and Lara’s own son, Emmanuel. Both are juniors and untested, so no one has a lock on the top spot. Also, during an unfocused practice session, senior Jeremiah Hollowell injures his shoulder and jeopardizes his last season at Poly

Reeling from the on-field brawl of the last scrimmage, Coach Lara questions the readiness of his team for the first game of the season against Bakersfield. At the practice, Coach Burford disciplines the players who started the fight, and Lara makes the tough decision to bench his son Emmanuel in order to start Chaiyse as quarterback.

With a win over Bakersfield, Long Beach Poly has taken their first step towards a championship season. The excitement is not shared by running back Jeremiah Hollowell, who is disappointed that he was sidelined at the first game due to his injured shoulder. During practice for the St. Bonaventure game, senior Dabness Atkins' temper gets the best of him while running drills, and he threatens to walk off the field. Coach Lara is also concerned about his Quarterbacks, as neither Chaiyse Hales nor Emmanuel are performing well.

After Poly suffers a beating at the hands of St. Bonaventure, Coach Raul Lara warns his players that no position is safe. On the practice field, quarterback contenders Chaiyse Hales and Emmanuel Lara are not impressing Coach Lara.

Coach Raul Lara is concerned about Poly’s upcoming game against the affluent and powerful Mission Viejo. Poly has never beaten Mission Viejo and they are in for a battle. At dinner with friends, Devin Jackson complains that he is not getting enough playing time and that his girlfriend’s father disapproves of him.

After an embarrassing loss on their home turf to Mission Viejo High School, the Poly Jackrabbits season record stands at a stagnant 2-2. Players and parents question Coach Raul Lara's decision to play his son Emmanuel Lara over superior starting quarterback Chaiyse Hales.

After a lopsided victory against Jordan High School, the biggest thing on the minds of Coach Raul Lara and his players is defeating Poly’s cross-town rival, Lakewood. Last year was the first time Lakewood beat Poly in over a quarter century, and the Jackrabbits are determined that it will not happen again.

It's halfway through the season, and Poly has come off its most important win of the season by defeating their archrival Lakewood High School by a score of 27-14. Although Jeremiah Hollowell is succeeding on the field, he is underperforming in the classroom. Jeremiah's mother takes control of his academics by paying a visit to his geometry class.

Having won their last three games, the Jackrabbits continue their winning streak with lopsided victories against Wilson and Cabrillo. Since the season is winding down, everyone has college on their minds. In the last game of the regular season, Chaiyse Hales struggles early in the game against Compton High School, but he fights through his rough start. Will Poly defeat Compton to clinch a spot in the playoffs?