Football: Long Beach Poly advances with 44-8 win over St. Bonaventure

Long Beach Poly’s smothering defense sacked quarterback Ricky Town four times in a dominating performance to help the Jackrabitts defeat St. Bonaventure, 44-8, in a Pac-5 Division quarterfinal game.

John “Juju” Smith, on his 17th birthday, had a nine-yard touchdown catch and a 62-yard touchdown run. Jeremy Calhoun had two touchdowns. Caleb Turner had an interception and Rodney Shorter returned another interception 32 yards for a touchdown.

Poly (11-1) will face Mater Dei in a semifinal game on Friday at Veterans Stadium. The other semifinal will match Alemany and visiting St. John Bosco. Alemany defeated Servite, 21-19, stopping a two-point conversion attempt with 1:03 left. Servite almost came back from a 21-0 deficit.

In the City Seciton Division I, No. 1-seeded Narbonne defeated Birmingham, 21-13, and will host Carson. Venice defeated San Pedro, 28-14, and will play at Crenshaw, which defeated Dorsey, 58-12.

In Division II, South Gate upset Eagle Rock, 30-7, and will play Granada Hills in the semifinals. No. 1 San Fernando defeated Bell, 42-0. Chatsworth knocked off Sylmar, 47-20.

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