The "4th and Forever" season finale proved to be a mix of emotional highs and lows, big losses and hopeful new beginnings. The Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits made it to the playoffs, but were eliminated after losing the game to Mater Dei High School. Seniors on the team weren't able to finish out high school as football champions, but a number of players still had promising college futures to look toward. Twelve senior players earned scholarships to play at universities and colleges all over the United States.

Viewers reacted to several different subjects after watching the conclusion. From support for the players to criticisms of the team and how and how they each felt about "4th and Forever" overall, no topic was left undiscussed.

Starr Scott may not be an official member of the Jackrabbits, but she is a team player in every other sense of the word. As the operations manager for the Long Beach Poly football program, she has seen the players through four years of trials, tribulations, and growth. Along the way, she took Dabness Atkins into her home and provided him with the support he needed to succeed.

Jacob Irving, Starr Scott, and Dabness Atkins on May 28, 2011, at their prom party in Long Beach, Calif. (Photo courtesy of Starr Scott) 

The biggest Jackrabbits fan and mother of three spoke with Current.com's Daniela Capistrano about how things have changed for her since the show, her plans for the future, and how her relationship with Dabness changed her life.

Daniela Capistrano: What do you hope fans of the show learned by watching it?

Starr Scott: It’s a huge misconception that we have an endless supply of money and sponsors and that we pay for nothing. It’s totally opposite. We really don’t have any sponsorships and NFL players who are alumni don’t give to the program yet.

Marcedes Lewis does host a football camp for youth and is around quite a bit to lend moral support to our players. But for some reason none of our more famous alumni have made the move to financially support the program yet.

Mr. Broadus, aka Snoop Dogg, actually, is the first famous alum who stepped up this year and lent a hand. He lent his influence with Adidas and they have helped quite a bit. So I hope that (from watching the show) people see the need to help support the program.

Poly alumni and fans spread worldwide...I hope the show puts the needs of this program on their hearts.

Aside from money, overall I hope people see that this (program) is not just about X's and O's. It’s about raising kids and helping to be part of the village that raises children to be independent, self-sufficient young men.

We want them to be good people, not just NFL stars, and hopefully we contribute to that success and help shape their lives.

At home there was a lot of discussion, debate, even, at times, confusion and frustration with the recruiting process and the decisions Dabness faced. We often needed to overcome Dabness’ attitude to really get to the meat of this huge decision at times.

I was worried about the last episode where Dabness tells me he’s accepting the Air Force Academy offer, because when we shot it we tweaked it a little bit and I was worried it looked like we just pulled this decision out of our hats when in actuality it was a slow and meticulous...sometimes even hair-pulling process.

Obviously it was a big decision and I am just worried [my reaction] looks too vanilla. It was obviously a big decision for us both.

Defensive lineman Devin Jackson had a lot to prove his senior year at Long Beach Poly. Not only did he juggle athletics, academics, and dating, he helped bring extra income to his family by selling Cutco knives door-to-door.

The insightful 18-year-old Air Force hopeful spoke with Current.com's Daniela Capistrano about how things have changed for him since the show, his plans for the future, and what really went down with him and his ex-girlfriend Courtney.  

Daniela Capistrano: What do you hope fans of the show learned by watching it?

Devin Jackson: First and foremost, I want people to know that (for me) family is the center of everything. I don't provide for my parents, my parents provide for me. [My job selling knives] was just a small support and that was a temporary situation. I'm not this great guy who went out and sold knives for years. I did do it for my family, but that was extra money that came in.

I was never the sole man of the house. My dad was, and still is, and there is no reason to take credit for anything he's done. He's done so much for me -- teaching me how to be a man and how to help in that way, so I took [that job] in my free time to help make money for my family. Yes, it was at a point, a desperate situation, where we needed the money, but that happens in every family. I'm not better than anyone else, it's just that failure was never an option.

After nine episodes of big wins and devastating losses, the Long Beach Poly High School football team has finally reached its goal: the playoffs. Head coach Raul Lara has pushed the Jackrabbits to redeem themselves for last season's mistake. Last year, the team won six games and lost six, so this year Poly has worked hard to get back on top.

This week, Poly's chance to call itself a champion again is closer than ever. Losses early in the season threatened to keep them out of the playoffs, but the Jackrabbits pulled together during the second half of the regular season. The players have overcome challenges challenges on the field and in their personal lives, and now they're focusing in on beating Mater Dei in the first playoff game.

Each Poly player knows that getting this far doesn't mean it's time to relax. They need to work just as hard. Mater Dei is known for being a physically intimidating team. If its strategy is solid, Poly has a chance, but even if Poly wins, it will just move right along to face tougher teams.

Teammates Randall Goforth and Matthew Rowe ask quarterback Chaiyse Hales if he's nervous about starting in his first playoff game.

"Nervous?" Chaiyse repeats, scoffing. "I ain't never nervous."

After a full season of up and downs, the Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits are officially going to the playoffs. Can they make it through and prove themselves champions once again?

To gear up for the big season finish, fans have been catching up on their favorite moments and marathoning the season in its entirety. The general conclusion: people all still love "4th and Forever." Check out some of supportive comments about the show and Long Beach Poly from Current viewers:

@HighlyCool 4th and Forever should get an award for best tv show

@missgabriella everyone in highschool should watch the tv show 4th and forever, its so relatable

@Diamond_Crookz This show is amazing.. I wish I played for a winning football program smh

@O_NaNa21 Current Tv. 4th and Forever is like true life, but with only fine black boys...and football players!!

Tavonte Bezue We need to watch 4th and forever before a game

Football may be a team game, but in order to win big you need big-time plays from your big-time playmakers.

Thanks to outstanding individual efforts on both sides of the ball, Long Beach Poly got all that and more in last week's episode, claiming three critical wins in league play.

Running back Keltain Malveaux showed off his strength and his speed as he burst through the line and then cut down the sideline for a 60-yard score against Wilson High.

As we approach the season finale of "4th and Forever" on July 21, 9/8c, the Current.com team invites you to participate in a collaborative challenge:

1. Tell us your your favorite moment from "4th and Forever"

2. We'll tally your votes and use the results to create a surprise for you that we'll unveil during the season finale!

Take a look at 6 critical scenes from the show. In the comments below (or on our Facebook page or Twitter using the hashtag #4AFMoments), share your favorite moment from this list and tell us why it made the cut.

Ready? In no particular order, here we go!

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.

Football players have always been measured by their talents on the field. But thanks to reality TV and social technologies (like Twitter and Facebook), fans are finding out their favorite players can do a lot more than run, pass, kick and tackle.

Take Poly High's defensive captain Michael Teo, for example. In this Web extra, the multi-talented lineman shows that shutting down opposing offenses isn't the only thing that comes naturally.

As "4th and Forever" reaches the final episodes of the season, viewers are sharing their opinions and advice on various major topics. The playoffs are coming up, and just like the Jackrabbits, fans are hoping to see Poly succeed.

Even after our last round-up, viewers had thoughts to contribute. One Facebook viewer thinks Poly could benefit from getting a new head coach, but another fan reminds him that Coach Lara isn't the one actually scoring goals once players hit the field. Everybody's responsible for Poly's successes and failures.

There was plenty for Cal Poly High players to celebrate in a 59-0 victory over rivals Millikan.

Maybe a little too much.

After catching a first-down pass from QB Chaylse Hales, Poly's WR Richard Smith, juked a defender and outran 5 others on his way down the sideline and into the end zone.

While it may be true that your livelihood revolves around money, the same may not be true for your happiness or quality of life. Here's another infographic of a recent 4th and Forever Big Featured Discussion based on your responses.

(click through for full-size)

To view more infographics by our terrific intern Aubrie Johnson, click here.

Don't miss a brand new episode of "4th and Forever" TONIGHT at 9/8c on Current TV to see how well the Jackrabbits pull together.

For popular scenes, web exclusives, and additional blogs, visit http://current.com/4thandForever.

Things are looking up for Long Beach Poly. After winning games against Jordan and Lakewood, their longtime rivals, the Jackrabbits are riding high. Making it to the playoffs seems like a real possibility again. As they gear up for their next game, the coaches are determined to make sure each player takes care of needs off the field too so they can continue to give 100 percent for the football team.

After the Lakewood game, team discipline coach Ty Burford seeks out Jeremiah Hollowell's mother Margaret to make sure she knows that Jeremiah's supposed to meet with him. All students on academic probation turn in the form meant to alert parents that their children are at risk of failing.

"OK, I'm tired of Jeremiah," Margaret tells Burford as they begin to discuss his grades. "I need your help."

School is important. Margaret tells Burford and Jeremiah that as much as she loves football and seeing Jeremiah do well as a Jackrabbit, graduating high school trumps that in the end. She doesn't want him to have to give up one to achieve the other, but she'll do whatever may be necessary.

"You can't bring the grades up; you can't play," she tells Jeremiah. It's that simple. He's the only one who can fix his situation.

As the Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits get closer to the finals games on "4th and Forever," they have proven they'll take on any team daring to best them (watch Poly defeat Lakewood in this clip). Players and viewers alike are anxious to see Poly make it to the championships.

One Facebook fan has even proposed an idea for the inevitable championship game.

Another is still wrapped in the season as a whole, encouraging other athletes to make sure they witness Poly's journey.

A hard week of practice seems to have paid off for the Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits. Especially for their outspoken team leader, quarterback Chaiyse Hales.

"We worked really hard on offense to keep up the tempo, but keep it on our side," Hales said. "That's what we planned on and that's what we did."

Hales looked at ease in the pocket all night and showed of his renewed confidence with an 18-yd TD strike to Earnest Pettway.

Is it better to be a team player, or should you focus on your own success? We asked in one of our Big Featured Discussions, and the community answered.

Check out this infographic to see how the responses broke down:

(click through for full-size)

To view more infographics by our terrific intern Aubrie Johnson, click here.

Don't miss a brand new episode of "4th and Forever" TONIGHT at 9/8c on Current TV to see how well the Jackrabbits pull together.

For popular scenes, web exclusives, and additional blogs, visit http://current.com/4thandForever.

After last week's victory against Jordan High School, Poly's focus this week is on securing two wins in a row. The players are confident they can pull it off, but are careful not let it transform into cockiness. Last year the Jackrabbits lost to their archrivals, Lakewood. The school doesn't hold the same history of besting Poly that Mission Viejo does, but remembering they were beat last time Lakewood and Poly faced off reminds Poly players they can't afford to relax.

Luckily, head coach Raul Lara believes the Jackrabbits are finally starting to live up to their potential this year. The challenge now is to keep going. If each of the Poly players pushes himself, then they have a chance at dominating on the field once again.

Some of the Jackrabbits key players talk about strategy over burgers. Bijon Franklin, Devin Jackson, and Corey Waller all agree Poly simply cannot lose to Lakewood. End of story. They're seniors this year. They don't want to finish high school knowing they let Lakewood get the best of the team again. Offense and defense need to make sure they're on the same page.

Getting halfway through the "4th and Forever" season means viewers have already seen Poly win big and suffer huge losses. After watching last week's episode, "Live for the Moment," fans reacted both to the Mission Viejo loss as well as Poly taking on Jordan.

Like a few players, some of the Twitter viewers blamed the coaching for the loss.

@kshantelmusttel Poly football coach you suck. If my son was on his team he wouldve been fired.

Others focused on the eventual Jackrabbits triumph.

KFWB's Ted Sobel caught up with Long Beach Poly Head Football Coach Raul Lara and former-Jackrabbit Marcedes Lewis, a current NFL All-Pro Tight End with the Jacksonville Jaguars, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing children growing up in tough urban environments.

Listen to the interview here.

For many young men, the opportunity to play collegiate and professional football is a one-way ticket ticket to a brighter future.

But to local product Marcedes Lewis the journey out of of Long Beach always sounded better as a round trip.

"When you are growing up as a kid in a neighborhood in the inner city your dreams are to become a big NFL player take care of your family and be able to give back," says Lewis. "That's always been one of my dreams since I was playing football in the street."