CIF State Division 1–A Southern Region football Bowl Game preview: Long Beach Poly vs. Gardena Serra always delivers for neutrals

Here's a complete preview of the Division 1–A Southern Region championship and state semifinal, a heavyweight matchup between two Southern Section champions, Long Beach Poly and Gardena Serra.

With section championships wrapped up all around the state, the CIF State football playoffs are finally here. 28 bowl games are being played throughout California this weekend, and SBLive is previewing every single one.

• CALIFORNIA STATE PLAYOFF BRACKETS

Here's a complete preview of the Division 1–A Southern Region championship and state semifinal, a heavyweight matchup between two Southern Section champions, Long Beach Poly and Gardena Serra.

CIF STATE 1-A SOUTHERN REGION BOWL GAME: Long Beach Poly (11-3) vs. Gardena Serra (9-4) – Saturday at 6:00 p.m.

The last six times Long Beach Poly and Gardena Serra have faced off in football, it's been a one score game. This season, Serra took down Poly 28-27 in August in a classic that came down to the final seconds. After the Jackrabbits appeared to tie the game on a late touchdown with 19 seconds to go, they were flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and missed the pushed back extra point to lose.

Last year, Poly won 27-21 in overtime during California's spring high school football season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

In the regular season meeting this year, Texas bound Gardena Serra QB Maalik Murphy was surgical completing 21 of 37 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for a fourth score. Long Beach Poly trailed for the whole game and used a more balanced offensive attack. Junior Devin Samples led Poly on the ground with nine carries for 66 yards and a touchdown in the defeat.

Both Murphy and Samples went on to have huge postseasons. They will be major factors once again in Saturday's game.

Serra sophomore Cincere Rhaney has rushed for 816 yards and 12 touchdowns this fall. Speedy junior Rodrick Pleasant is a threat in the return game and a strong cover corner.

Other players to watch for Poly include quarterback Shea Kuykendall who has thrown nine touchdowns and only one interception in the playoffs, offensive linemen Tyson Ruffins and Wendell “Wowo” Moe, and junior quarterback Daylen Austin, who is a special teams return threat in addition to being a great defensive player.

PREDICTION

This is a really tough one. The two schools are clearly evenly matched and playing their best football. Poly has a little bit more depth and will have revenge on the mind though.

Score: Long Beach Poly 28, Gardena Serra 24