We're Not Finished, Yet: '4th and Forever' Catch-Up

Although Poly lost to Millikan High School by 1 point last year, this season they crushed Millikan on the field. Poly proudly took home the victory last week by a devastating 59-0 score. Conquering in the playoffs now seems not only like a real possibility but an opportunity Poly more than deserves.

Its hot streak continues for the next two games. First up: Wilson Classical High School. As head coach Raul Lara tells it, four touchdowns help them walk away winners, beating Wilson 48-7. The energy of that game carries right over to their match-up against Cabrillo High School, who falls to Poly, 54-2.

The Jackrabbits' spirits are soaring, but the fight isn't over yet. They have one more regular season game, and in order to make it to the playoffs they absolutely have to win.

The opponents? Compton High School.

The team set to win the league championship if Poly doesn't win? Lakewood High School.

The Jackrabbits don't want Compton to the beat them, and they definitely won't allow Lakewood to move forward after they already secured Lakewood's first loss of the season. Fullback Jeremiah Hollowell says as much to teammates Devin Jackson and Michael Teo while they grab food at Poly Burgers.

"I'll be damned if 'Fakewood' gets the league championship after we whooped [them]," Jeremiah says.

Devin Jackson also refuses to let their last home game be the first time they lose to Compton. Long Beach Poly's reputation is on the line for more than one reason this week. Winning the Compton game and denying Lakewood gives the players double the motivation.

Realizing that things are starting to wrap up for their senior year, players like Devin are also increasingly concerned with figuring out exactly what they'll do after graduation. Devin hasn't been able to secure an athletic scholarship, so he's forced to look into other options for college funding. He takes some time out to meet with a military recruiter, SFC Felix Quintero.

Devin comes from a military background. His father was once part of the U.S. Marine Corps, and his sister currently serves in the U.S. Army. If Devin decides to enlist, he'd be most interested in the Air Force, but his top priority will always be finding the quickest route to funding and attending a college of his choice.

Quintero lays out Devin's options, from participating in ROTC during school or serving first and then attending college afterward. Devin leaves the meeting more confident in what's available to him even without a scholarship.

At practice, Coach Lara and the team prepare their defense. He points out that players like defensive lineman Corey Waller will be extremely important in critical games like their match-up against Compton. Guaranteeing that their opponents can't score may be what really determines whether or not Poly wins on Friday night.

Coach Lara gives a quick speech to encourage the players and put things into perspective.

"If you do this right, then we're back where we were before - dominating," he tells them.

It's coming down to the key deciding moments they've anticipated all season. Can they become champions again? Is this regular season game their last, or can they fight to continue.

They can't lose.

Their prospects start to look rocky when Chaiyse begins to slip up in practice. This is the kind of problem that worries Coach Lara the most -- unpredictability. If he can't trust his starting quarterback to focus during practice, then how can he trust him to help the team to execute plays when it matters most?

With only two practices left, Coach Lara reminds the team that now is not the time to start slacking on the field. If they want to be on top, they still need to play like champions.

After practice, Devin's father picks him up from school. They talk about Devin visiting a military recruiter. His father is against Devin joining the Army, but there are some military programs he'd more willing to accept. Deciding where to go after high school won't be an easy choice, but Devin reminds himself that it has to be his decision, regardless of what his father may want.

Other players face a more enjoyable stress. Defensive lineman Corey Waller has offers from several schools. He hasn't committed to one yet, because he still needs to really investigate the programs for each. He's narrowed it down to a top four so far (Washington, USC, Boise State, and Oregon State) but he's still weighing his options.

His mother tells him that's the best way to handle it, and in the meantime, she's proud of the work he's done to get this far.

At school, the players also reflect on the season and take time to talk about the future amongst themsevles. The seniors feel strange about leaving, but they're excited to come back and see how Poly continues in their absence.

Chaiyse asks Corey and defensive lineman Bijon Franklin if they're worried about coming back to see how Poly's changed, how the team's changed. Corey reassures him that, no, he isn't worried, because he knows Chaiyse will take care business of the field. Both he and Bijon are confident Poly will find nothing but glory next year.

Chaiyse finds another opportunity to talk about the team and what it's like to leave a lasting impression in school when Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis visits campus. Though he now plays professionally and is a Pro Bowler, Lewis graduated from Poly in 2002.

Lewis likes to come back and check in to make sure the program that helped him succeed can continue to help younger students. He also wants to make sure players see a positive images for life after attending Poly.

Chaiyse is a junior. He still has one year before he decides where he wants to go after leaving Poly, but for Dabness Atkins, it's time to start weeding out college offers he's not going to take. Though he initially really wanted to attend Harvard, they aren't offering him as much financial aid as the Air Force Academy or Cornell University. Right now, he's leaning toward the Air Force. It offers him a disciplinary challenge that Cornell doesn't. Plus, he'd get a monthly salary.

Starr Scott, the Poly team secretary and Dabness' unofficial caretaker, expresses concern over joining any military program. Serving after he graduates could be very dangerous for Dabness. He shouldn't rule out Cornell, and Dabness hasn't yet, but one major concern for Dabness is that Cornell doesn't have a Division-I football program. The Air Force does.

Time is running out. Each of the senior players, including Dabness, Corey and Devin, need to solidify future plans. If Poly doesn't win Game 10, those decisions will become more important right away.

But the Jackrabbits don't plan to lose. If they beat Compton, the Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits still have four more weeks of football to play. On game night, they take the field -- their home field -- for the last time during the regular season with emotions running high and their eyes on making it the playoffs.

"All year long we've been preaching redemption," Coach Lara says. "We can achieve our goal by making it to the playoffs."

Poly doesn't start out strong.

Chaiyse Hales throws a pass that gets intercepted. Then Poly fumbles the ball, but Corey Waller keeps the defensive line motivated. Compton may have possession of the ball, but Poly's defense refuses to let them turn that into points on the board.

When Poly's takes offense again, Chaiyse tries to refocus himself to help the Jackrabbits score. He borrows Coach Lara's favorite word and reminds himself that he has to "execute." Whatever he does to concentrate works, because he quickly throws two great passes that score Poly a touchdown.

From there, it's all good. Poly dominates the game, and after Jeremiah Hollowell runs the last touchdown of the night, Poly has officially secured a spot in the playoffs. The Jackrabbits beat Compton, 47-6.

Coach Lara lets the team celebrate its last regular season victory. The Jackrabbits have earned it. Tomorrow, however, Coach Lara's prepared to reign everyone in and really buckle down. They playoffs are here.

Will Poly make through the playoffs and reclaim their place as Long Beach champions? Tune in for the season finale of "4th and Forever," Thursday at 9/8c on Current TV.

For more information, visit http://current.com/4thandForever.