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Will Oreck

Under the bright stadium lights at John Glenn High School, the Polytechnic Panthers boys’ soccer team etched their names into school history, becoming CIF-SS Division VII champions. It was a season defined by hard work, resilience and heart, all culminating in a title that hadn’t been seen in over a decade.
The championship game against John Glenn was an offensive masterclass, with star sophomore Momo Tonthat delivering a stunning performance. Tonthat scored all three goals in the decisive 3-0 victory. His goal late in the first half shifted the Panthers’ momentum, setting up the stage for a dominant second half where he ultimately scored two more goals. While Tonthat may have been the star of the scoreboard, the Panthers’ victory was a team effort, with players across the field making key contributions.
Senior and Swarthmore College D3 soccer commit Noah Daniel anchored the defense and junior Joe Benitez controlled the midfield.
Sophomore left-back Ethan Greenberg shared his thoughts on the historic season: “It was a great season, with an unfortunate end, but the ups were greater than the downs.”
Tonthat added how they overcame those lows: “We went from not believing in ourselves at the beginning of the season to winning CIF through dedication and passion.”
In a speech at the end of the game, head coach Dan Sheridan declared, “You work…for three, four, two, one year, it doesn’t matter because we’re a team and the best team won,” emphasizing the collective effort that led the team to victory. This moment was the culmination of a season of dedication, especially following a tight overtime win against Silverado High School in the semi-finals.
Though their run ended in a heartbreaking 1-2 loss against Classical Academy in the regional finals, they had nothing short of an exceptional season, cementing their legacy at Poly.
Sheridan emphasized that while individual talent shined, the Panthers’ success was built on years of consistency and a culture of belief.
“We have won the Prep League six consecutive times, and these players have grown to believe in the process, which is vital when trying to achieve anything unique and difficult,” he explained.
Building off the great example left by the seniors last year, the team learned to trust the process.
Sheridan said, “None of this could have been possible without the leadership of our coaching staff and the players taking personal responsibility in embracing the numerous challenges we encountered throughout the year.”
When asked about what is to come for the Poly soccer team, Sheridan commented, “The future for the Poly Boys Soccer Program is bright. We return the majority of the starting lineup from our CIF winning team including our leading goalscorer, our assist leader, and a two-year starter in goal.”
With a CIF championship under their belt and a historic regional final showing, the Panthers have built their foundation for success in the years to come.