LONG BEACH — The Long Beach Poly football team announced it will withdraw from the upcoming CIF Southern Section playoffs Friday, less than a day after finishing second in the Moore League with 55-22 victory over Compton, and less than 48 hours before playoff brackets are scheduled to be released Sunday morning.
Poly went 5-5 overall and 5-1 in Moore League play, which including forfeiting a 28-27 nonleague victory over Tustin because the team played with an ineligible player.
The Jackrabbits had six transfers declared ineligible and banned for two years in late September.
The Long Beach Unified School District released the following statement:
“Long Beach Polytechnic High School acknowledges the recent CIF ruling related to violations of CIF Bylaw 202 within its football program. In accordance with that ruling, and as part of an ongoing internal investigation, Poly will withdraw from postseason play. The school is fully cooperating with CIF and the District, as a thorough review of our processes and systems is conducted to ensure full compliance with CIF rules and District policy. While student and employee matters are confidential, our commitment remains to support our students while upholding the integrity of our athletic programs.“
Other area schools that were deemed to have ineligible players by the CIF-SS this season include Millikan, Compton and Bellflower.