Poly Parrots Defeat North Hollywood Huskies in Rivalry Match

NORTH HOLLYWOOD — It was a battle of backup quarterbacks in a rivalry renewed Friday night as the North Hollywood Huskies (3-4, 2-2) took on the Poly Parrots (6-1, 4-0) at North Hollywood High School.

The Parrots recaptured the North Hollywood/Sun Valley Rotary Club Cup with a 26-15 victory over the Huskies to remain undefeated in the East Valley League.

A coach holding up a trophy celebrates with football players in uniforms, capturing a moment of victory in a sports event.

It was Poly’s first win against North Hollywood since 2023, reclaiming the rivalry trophy that had eluded them in recent seasons. After the game, it was clear what the victory meant to the players, coaches and staff.

“I just want them to enjoy this,” Poly coach Boo Williams said. “It’s been three years since they won, so I want them to enjoy this victory.”

Senior quarterback Alijah Ochoa led the way for Poly, completing 8 of 12 passes for 153 yards and three touchdowns. The Parrots also leaned heavily on their two playmakers. Junior running back Justice Brown had 19 carries for 144 yards and a touchdown, while senior wide receiver King Exusdus caught five passes for 104 yards and three touchdowns.

A football player in a white jersey with blue accents is catching a football in mid-air, while another player in a blue jersey attempts to defend. In the background, there are spectators in bleachers and a goal marker in the foreground.

A quarterback wearing a blue helmet throws a football while being pressured by a defender during a high school football game.

Poly set the tone on its first offensive snap of the game. Brown ripped off a 64-yard run before finishing the drive two plays later with a 10-yard touchdown plunge. After an unsuccessful two-point conversion, the Parrots led 6-0 less than four minutes into the first quarter.

A football player in a white jersey is being tackled by a player in a blue jersey, while another player in a blue jersey looks on. The scene is set on a grassy field with a fence and portable restroom in the background.

North Hollywood, led by sophomore quarterback Marcel Wood, answered on its next possession with a 12-play touchdown drive that consumed nearly nine minutes. The drive was propelled by a 30-yard completion from Wood to junior wide receiver Hayden Crawford on third-and-14, the only pass of the possession. The Huskies scored three plays later on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Wood. After the extra point, North Hollywood led 7-6 with 11:15 left in the second quarter.

A football player in a blue uniform attempts to catch a thrown football while being closely defended by an opponent in a white uniform.

A quarterback in a blue uniform throws a football while a defensive player in a white and blue uniform rushes towards him on a football field at night.

The Parrots responded immediately. Exusdus made a spectacular catch on third-and-goal, snatching the ball away from a defender and pinning it against his helmet as he tiptoed in bounds near the front pylon for a 10-yard touchdown. After another unsuccessful two-point conversion, Poly held a 12-7 lead, which stood at halftime.

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After the teams traded punts to open the second half, Poly broke through when Ochoa found Exusdus for a 40-yard touchdown. Following another unsuccessful two-point conversion, the Parrots led 18-7 with two minutes left in the third quarter.

A blue and white football player wearing jersey number 4 is leaping to catch a pass, while a player in blue jersey number 1 is in the process of throwing the ball in a nighttime football game.

The Huskies drove to the Poly 6-yard line on their next possession, but two runs lost yardage before the Parrots recorded a sack on third-and-goal, pushing North Hollywood back to the 20. The Huskies then attempted a field goal, but a botched snap ended the 10-play drive without points.

Poly put the game out of reach on its next possession. Ochoa connected with Exusdus again, this time for a 50-yard touchdown. After a successful two-point conversion, the Parrots led 26-7 with just under six minutes remaining.

North Hollywood scored once more when Wood found senior Max Bates for a 27-yard touchdown pass, cutting the deficit to 26-15. That proved to be the final score.

A high school football game moment with players jumping to catch a pass against a night backdrop. The player in blue is attempting to intercept the ball while defenders in white try to stop him.

A high school football game in progress, featuring players in blue and white uniforms tackling an opposing player near the goalpost.

Wood completed four of six passes for 82 yards and a touchdown while also scoring on the ground. Senior running back Brandon Del Toro finished with 15 carries for 106 yards for the Huskies.

A football player wearing a blue jersey with 'Huskies' on it runs with the ball while being pursued by an opponent in a white uniform on a grassy field at night.

“We just never found a rhythm offensively and gave up some big plays defensively,” North Hollywood coach Ryan Ledford said. “We’re going to clean some things up and continue to improve.”

North Hollywood will look to rebound and avoid a third consecutive loss when it faces Grant (1-7, 0-4) Friday night. Poly will aim to remain unbeaten in league play when it takes on Monroe (2-5, 1-3).

All photos by VST Senior Photographer Benjamin Becher