Long Beach Poly’s Sammy Timu scores on an interception in the first quarter as Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly’s Sammy Timu scores on an interception in the first quarter as Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly senior Jayden Coley led his team is receiving in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly junior quarterback Ace Fa’agata made his first start in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly junior quarterback Ace Fa’agata made his first start as helped defeat Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Downey’s Jordan Robinson tackles in a non-league game and season opener against Long Beach Poly on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Downey quarterback Chase Watkins (2) carries in a non-league game and season opener against Long Beach Poly on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly junior Zion Anderson celebrates a touchdown in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Downey quarterback Chase Watkins (2) carries in a non-league game and season opener against Long Beach Poly on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Downey quarterback Chase Watkins (2) looks to pass in a non-league game and season opener against Long Beach Poly on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Downey quarterback Chase Watkins (2) is tackled in a non-league game and season opener against Long Beach Poly on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
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Long Beach Poly’s Sammy Timu scores on an interception in the first quarter as Poly defeats Downey in a non-league game and season opener for both teams on Friday August 21, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
DOWNEY — The Long Beach Poly football team wanted to get off to a fast start in its first game of the season.
The Jackrabbits did just that, with junior defensive lineman Sammy Timu’s early fumble return for a touchdown, which propelled them to a 24-7 victory against Downey in a nonleague season opener Friday night.
“I think it’s honestly a blessing,” Timu said. “I wouldn’t call it luck. I really grind for this.”
Poly junior quarterback Ace Fa’agata completed 16 of 26 pass attempts for 158 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Jackrabbits senior receiver Jayden Coley had a team-high eight receptions for 81 yards and one touchdown.
The Jackrabbits won their first season opener since 2023.
“It means a lot that we got that W in the first week,” said Long Beach Poly first-year coach Travon Patterson, a 2006 Poly graduate who was hired to be the team’s new coach in January.
Poly’s defense began the night with a game-changing play when they intercepted Downey sophomore quarterback Chase Watkins, and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown with 10:33 left in the first quarter.
Senior safety Toa Cagnolatti hauled in the key interception on third down and advanced it 50 yards before fumbling it into Timu’s arms, who finished off the last 10 yards and scored the Jackrabbits’ first touchdown of the season. Poly led 7-0 with 10:33 left in the first quarter.
“We continue to stay humble about that but like Coach TP said, if I’m there, I’m there,” Timu said. “The hustle was there so I happened to catch that fumble and continue what we had to.”
“That’s exactly how you have to start a football game and we did that,” Patterson added.
Downey junior defensive back Jordan Robinson responded by intercepting Fa’agata on the Jackrabbits’ first offensive possession.
Fa’agata settled in on Poly’s next drive and threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Zion Anderson, which put Poly up 14-0 with 9:21 left in the second quarter.
Downey, the defending Gateway League champions, dropped to 0-1.
“I need to watch film but I think they smacked us in the mouth and I don’t think we responded very well,” Downey coach Jack Williams said.
Watkins completed 9 of 19 attempts for 51 yards, one touchdown and one interception and ran for 46 yards on seven carries. Junior running back Max Acosta had 11 carries for 57 yards. Sophomore receiver Buddy Tuiagamoa had seven receptions for 51 yards.
Downey’s top two-way player is senior receiver/cornerback Damani Porras, who is committed to New Mexico. Porras had one reception for 2 yards in the first half.
Watkins threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Porras, which cut Poly’s lead to 14-7 with 7:14 left in the third quarter. Porras finished with four receptions for 13 yards and one touchdown.
Fa’agata’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Coley made it 21-7 with one minute left in the third.
Poly senior kicker Jonas Mendoza made a 41-yard field goal to go up 24-7 with 6:53 left in the fourth quarter.
Downey will play at Capistrano Valley on Friday, Aug. 28. Long Beach Poly will host Yorba Linda at Veterans Stadium on Friday, Aug. 28.
“I really wanted to set the tone and let people know that Poly is not just Top 81 or continue to have these setbacks from all the other years,” Timu explained. “We’re a new Poly and we’re going to continue to work on that.”
I’m breaking down Long Beach Poly’s 24-7 victory at Downey Friday night.
Poly played a complete game and scored offense, defense and special teams. pic.twitter.com/QMP9xkXE6z
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 22, 2026
POSTGAME: Long Beach Poly football head coach Travon Patterson is excited after winning his debut as the program’s new head coach.
Patterson is a 2006 Poly graduate and a first time head coach. He is proud of his team’s all-around effort. pic.twitter.com/YNSyfPgJCV
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 22, 2026
An extended interview with Long Beach Poly junior defensive lineman / offensive lineman Sammy Timu who made the play of the game in the first quarter when he scored a defensive touchdown. pic.twitter.com/QRm6DHykQY
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 22, 2026
Downey football head coach Jack Williams on his team‘s 24-7 loss in a home opener against Long Beach Poly.
It was a nonleague game between two of the best programs in the Long Beach area. pic.twitter.com/HubyrzN6GG
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 22, 2026
POV: Long Beach Poly at Downey is the Game of the Week in the Long Beach high school football coverage area. pic.twitter.com/jACwZnoaSG
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 22, 2026
PREGAME: Long Beach Poly football head coach Travon Patterson said his team is excited and ready to open the season on the road against Downey High.
Coach Patterson shared some of his team’s keys to success. pic.twitter.com/iC1rAlZA93
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 22, 2026
PREGAME: Downey football head coach Jack Williams said it is a bucket list item to coach against Long Beach Poly. He’s been at Downey more than 20 years and has never faced the Jackrabbits.
Coach Williams said his team is young and will be tested by Poly. pic.twitter.com/ElUBMKBRa0
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 22, 2026