Torrey Pines remains undefeated in Southern California after a fairly convincing 41-14 defeat of Long Beach Poly.

Played under the lights on Friday night, this game was a well-played, competitive clash worthy of the latter stages of the SoCal school season. Torrey Pines pressured the much bigger Poly side early with the high ball, and followed that up with a good kick-chase resulting in turnovers deep in Poly territory.

Poly worked hard for the turnover but instead committed an infraction at the breakdown. Rather than going for the sure three points, Torrey elected to kick to touch, and the resulting maul drew first blood, 7-0. Torrey went back to the high ball, and Poly again infringed. From there a second clean lineout and maul put Torrey up 14-0.

Midway through the first half, Torrey fullback Riley Elliott fielded a box kick from Poly and danced his way through the entire Poly chase for a long distance solo effort from his own half. That made it 21-0 at halftime. 

The halftime adjustments form the LB Poly coaches centered on feeding their huge pack, playing narrow, and keeping the ball out of Torrey’s hands. It paid off a few times. Huge collisions set the tone in the second half as Torrey worked to maintain their defensive line. Poly proved excellent at short and quick offloads, and eventually got through for their first score, 21-7.

Torrey took the penalty kick option soon thereafter and extended their lead to 24-7. And then flyhalf Jonty Lee, earned his way through the stout Poly defense, deked their fullback, and dotted it down for a 31-7 lead. Poly patiently continued with what was working for them, big players making big carries and overpowering the Torrey defenders. It worked again and they were in for a try and a conversion to make it 31-14.

Lee again called his own number, wiggling through from twenty out—38-14. Torrey got another penalty with minutes left, elected to use clock and take another three points, and 41-14 held up as the final score.

“We knew we would be tested by big, athletic ball carriers," said Torrey Pines Head Coach Matty Sandoval. "Our boys met the challenge, and had periods of excellent defense. Ice is on order for the weekend.”

For Torrey Pines, No. 8 Evan Doan was hugely influential again, center Will Morgans had a strong game, and Lee, with his orchestration of the attack and his elusive running, was outstanding.

Torrey Pines is now 4-0 in league play and 5-0 overall. Long Beach Poly drops to 2-1.