Harbor expected to have hands full against Poly

Preseason rankings have listed Long Beach Poly as one of the top football teams in the nation, a bit of recognition that normally wouldn’t matter in Costa Mesa or Newport Beach.

But that tide has changed since Poly will play Newport Harbor Sept. 14, just two weeks away.

USA Today has ranked the perennial powerhouse 11th in the country, while Sports Illustrated’s high school poll puts the team at No. 9. Rivals.com ranked the Jackrabbits 26th overall. Poly was ranked 88th on MaxPreps.com.

Poly finished 11-2 last season, and has 16 returning starters, including senior safety Vaughn Telemaque (6-2, 190 pounds) who finished last season with 54 tackles 11 deflections, and two interceptions.

Harbor opens the season Sept. 6 against Aliso Niguel. The Sailors scrimmage against Foothill at Tustin High Friday night.

— From staff reports