There's No Tomorrow: '4th and Forever' Catch-Up

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."

To him, it's simply another game. Chaiyse has had both great nights and some rockier showings this season, but his mission is always the same: Execute. If Chaiyse can stay confident and throw great passes, he'll be alright.

And Poly's coaches definitely aim to make sure the Jackrabbits keep their minds on winning. They instruct players to dedicate some time to weight training and then run plays on the field. Linebacker Dabness Atkins knows every man needs to put in more than his best, but the message seems to be missing a couple players.

Fullback Jeremiah Hollowell's been late to practice all week.

Running back coach Dennis Budd gets him one the phone to confront Jeremiah about the situation. He points out that Jeremiah complains when he doesn't get enough time on the field, but the coaches can't reward a lack of trying. He needs to show up when he's told to show up, or at least alert the coaches if something important arises and delays him.

Jeremiah claims a bad toothache got the best of him, but he accepts his punishment for failing to notify anyone. Coach Burford won't go easy on Jeremiah. If he wants to play in the game against Mater Dei, he needs to prove he belongs there. No excuses.

Coach Lara isn't about to accept poor performances either. He reminds the players that they all have a lot riding on games like their match-up against Mater Dei, but the seniors especially. Scouts are impressed by players who show out during high-stakes games.

"Everybody needs to elevate their game," Lara says.

For a few seniors, it's already too late to court colleges. Some students, like Dabness, have already made their decisions. While at home with team secretary Starr Scott, Dabness takes a moment to sit down and let her know that he's picked where he wants to go to school.

"I'm kind of excited," Dabness says, and then gives Starr a T-shirt for the U.S. Air Force Academy.

With the Air Force, Dabness can earn a salary, continue learning and still play Division-I football. None of his Ivy League offers even allowed him that many opportunities in one.

Other other senior players, including Jeremiah and defensive linemen Corey Waller and Devin Jackson get together at Poly Burgers to eat and talk about how best to represent themselves during the playoffs. Regardless of where they go after Poly, beating Mater Dei and moving on in the playoffs would be a great way to wind down the school year. Becoming champions again would be even more perfect.

Game day means the Jackrabbits need to stop talking and prove what they're really made of.

Minutes before the game begins, Coach Lara and Mater Dei head coach Bruce Rollinson both give their teams pep talks. They remind them of what's at stake and what it'll take to dominate.

"It's about courage and determination," Rollinson tells his team.

"Don't underestimate them," Coach Lara warns the Jackrabbits. "They're going to play hard. You need to play harder."

Whomever wins tonight is one step closer to winning the championship.

Coach Lara reveals that he's concerned about the game again the Mater Dei Monarchs. Poly's last few games have been relatively easy, and now the competition is bound to put up a much bigger fight. He reminds his team to stay on point but also have fun. They can do this.

Poly starts out strong. They gain big yards in Mater Dei territory. The defense is too strong to secure a touchdown right away, but  a field goal allows to Poly to put points on the scoreboard first.

When Mater Dei gets possession of the ball, Poly's defense immediately blocks all players from running it too far. Things take an ugly turn, though, when starting quaterback Chaiyse Hales sees a bad pass snatched out the air by Mater Dei.

Coach Lara fumes. Tonight is not the night for inconsistency on the field. When they slip, they risk losing the entire game. And it seems one mistake has started a chain reaction. Chaiyse gets intercepted yet again. Lara's worried that Chaiyse is self-destructing. His two mistakes have now allowed Mater Dei to gain a 10-point lead.

Poly recovers some those points when Richie Smith runs the ball into the end zone. It might be late in the fourth quarter when the Jackrabbits starts to close in, but they still have a chance. The scoreboard shows Mater Dei leading 13-10.

The entire season comes down to the next play for Poly. If Chaiyse can pull himself together again, the Jackrabbits have a chance at taking lead again and winning.

During the next play, Chaiyse misses the snap. He drops down to cover it after losing 15 yards. They have a chance to come back from the mistake, but this is it. Either they pull out a small miracle or pack it in, and Mater Dei takes the victory.

Chaiyse gets the ball and dodges left to try to make a pass, but Mater Dei takes him down almost immediately. With that, the game ends and Mater Dei wins, 26-10.

Poly's season is over.

The Jackrabbits are all noticeably upset. For the seniors, this is the last chance they'll get to play for Poly. And now they have to go out without a championship. They try to console each other, and Jeremiah's mother reminds him that the end of high school doesn't have to mean the end of football. But the loss is shatters the team's spirt.

At his own home, Coach Lara's wife asks him about the fallout from the game. No one's completely sure about why they lost. Coach Lara heard from a few players who were more than ready to end the season. Others have admitted they could've played harder, but it doesn't change the outcome.

It hurts Coach Lara just as much as it hurts the players. He says, "I thought I had a championship group."

Three months after the end of the Jackrabbits' season, it's now time for Poly's players to announce their scholarships. Coach Lara gets a chance to touch base with Dabness Atkins before the start of their Signing Day.

Dabness thanks Coach Lara for really helping him throughout his high school career. Coach Lara's been a great role model for him, and thanks to the hard work Lara and the other Poly coaches and teachers have put in, he's been able to maintain great grades and get excited about the possibilities in his future. He says that he doesn't know how he could ever thank him enough.

Coach Lara says, "You have already."

Dabness isn't the only one who's figured out his next steps:

Corey Waller has accepted a full scholarship to play Division-I football at the University of Washington.

At his mother's insistence, Jeremiah Hollowell's going to stay in high school for a fifth year to clean up his academics and continue to play football in Oregon. He'll be living with his uncle.

Devin Jackson has also turned his focus to the U.S. Air Force (catch up with him in our exclusive Q&A). He's now enlisted, and after his service, Devin plans to go to college and get his degree.

Team Captain Michael Teo plans to move to New Zealand, where he'll attend college and work toward a professional career playing rugby.

Chaiyse Hales and Emmanuel Lara are both juniors, determined to help lead Poly to a championship during their senior year.

Luckily, Coach Lara's still just as driven to achieve the same game. Finishing at 8-3 this season is better than the previous season's 6-6 record, but Lara still believes Long Beach Poly is a championship team. He'll continue to work nights as a probation officer and help motivate his students during the day.

The Jackrabbits won't be stopped. Next year is Poly's year.

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