Robert Panossian
Change has been synonymous with Poly’s football program. In the past three years, they have changed head coaches twice. Now, they are changing formats entirely, setting their sights on 8-man football.
After a disappointing 3-7 record last year, Poly made the bold decision to switch from the traditional 11-man team to a smaller, 8-man format, leaving the Rio Hondo League. Now, they play as a “freelance team,” independent from any league. Poly Athletics did not make this decision lightly, as it required a significant adjustment to play-style. However, due to low team enrollment, this change was necessary. The low enrollment rates were due to several factors, including Poly’s small student body, concerns among parents about the risk of head injuries, and the perception that Poly football is not particularly successful.
Sophomore lineman Mark Hiddleson, who had experience playing on last year’s 11-man roster, said, “I was disappointed when we first transitioned to 8-man football. However, over time, I realized it’s essentially the same game; You can be just as physical and have the same exciting moments that happen in 11-man.”
The departure of the Class of 2025 took a toll on the team, thinning out their roster and depth. The starting offensive and defensive lines suffered the most acutely as they were almost exclusively composed of seniors last year. This thinning left the team in dire need of both new and returning talent. This year, Poly gained four new freshmen. However, the exchange in player count between the classes of ‘25 and ‘29 proved to be stark, and the team simply didn’t have enough players to support an 11-man format.
Only compounding the effects of a smaller roster was the change in coaching staff. Head coach Ken Henderson stepped down at the end of the season before Poly announced its move to 8-man football.
In a last-minute decision, Poly’s Athletic Director, Scott Bello, who coached football for twenty years before coming to Poly, took on the fabled role. Other notable additions include assistant coaches Harold and Luke Lovett, who also coach Poly’s Baseball team. Harold has been working hard with the linemen while his brother, Luke, has focused on the skill department of Poly football.
Despite these changes, the Poly team has hit the ground running this season, not only adjusting to the new game but also becoming closer as a unit. When asked about Poly’s goals for this season, Bello said, “Winning matters, but for us, the bigger goal is building a culture that the school can be proud of. The goal is to get better every week, play for each other and represent Poly with pride. If we stay true to this, there is nothing that can hold us back. The team has taken on a chant that I think reflects who we are, and what we stand for. It is simply: ‘WE ARE POLY,’ and we hope that all fans and members of our community will join us in showing that spirit at all of our games this year.”
Poly hasn’t had the best record in football in the last few years, but Bello plans to not only turn that around but also recharge the atmosphere and culture around Poly football. The Panthers’ played their first game of the season at Flintridge Prep on Saturday, September 6. While Poly did not find the W they sought – losing in a lopsided 0-41 – there is still a long season ahead for the Panthers to prove their skeptics wrong.