Woodland Hills, CA – Taft and Poly (Sun Valley) battled through three competitive quarters Friday night before Taft pulled away in the fourth quarter to secure a 37-16 victory.
Taft opened with the ball after a touchback, but Poly’s defense quickly forced a fourth-and-long. The Toreadors eventually found their rhythm behind Jacob Southall, who helped move the ball with a series of runs before breaking free for the game’s opening touchdown. Poly answered with its run-heavy wishbone attack, with No. 5 Jayden Perez scoring a rushing touchdown and a two-point conversion giving Poly an 8-7 lead.
The second quarter featured several momentum swings. Taft’s offense was slowed by Poly’s defense, while Taft responded by limiting Poly’s rushing attack. Southall appeared to score again, but the touchdown was negated by a holding penalty. A later Taft drive ended with an interception, allowing Poly to move back into scoring range. A lob touchdown pass from Perez, followed by another successful two-point conversion, extended Poly’s lead. Taft answered before halftime when Southall caught a flat route and reached the end zone before adding another two points on a run through the A-gap. Halftime: Poly 16, Taft 15.
Taft took control after the break. Poly’s opening drive was stopped, and a later possession near the red zone ended without points after a Taft defensive stand. Taft then moved downfield, with Southall continuing to produce on the ground. A bubble screen from Taft’s No. 1 quarterback to Levi Parvizi, No. 6, went for a 15-yard touchdown, followed by a Southall two-point conversion. Another bubble pass to Parvizi resulted in a second touchdown later in the third quarter, putting Taft ahead 29-16.
Poly was unable to regain its first-half momentum as Taft’s defense forced a three-and-out. In the fourth quarter, Southall broke loose for a 35-yard touchdown run, and a two-point conversion on a catch by Taft No. 4 extended the lead to 37-16. Taft finished the second half with 22 unanswered points to close out the victory.
Southall was named the WCSM Player of the Game, while Parvizi provided a major second-half contribution with two touchdown receptions.
Key Stats & Plays
- Final: Taft 37, Poly 16
- Second half: Taft 22, Poly 0
- Jacob Southall: Multiple touchdowns, including a 35-yard rushing touchdown; successful two-point conversion; WCSM Player of the Game
- Levi Parvizi: 2 touchdown receptions
- Jayden Perez: Multiple touchdowns for Poly
- Key defensive plays: Taft forced a turnover on downs and a three-and-out while keeping Poly scoreless in the second half
Ivan Lopez is a San Fernando Valley based reporter with passion in journalism and public speaking based through high school sports. Focusing on player interviews, capturing the emotion that comes with every win and achievement. While being new to sports journalism, Ivan has a deep understanding in presenting in front of different varieties of audiences. Every new project is a new experience for Ivan; being able to adapt when getting thrown into the deep end allows him to capture the importance of each player through first contact and their respective interview.
