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LONG BEACH — Mission Viejo and Long Beach Poly on Friday renewed a rivalry that sprung 20 years ago in hopes of captivating the high school football community.

The appeal of the nonleague series has endured, but the Diablos’ advantage on the field slipped again.

Long Beach Poly quarterback Darius Curry tossed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Kamarie Smith with 28 seconds left in the fourth quarter to lift the Jackrabbits past Mission Viejo for the second consecutive season with a 32-28 victory at Veterans Stadium.

In a game selected again selected to the Great American Rivalry Series, the Jackrabbits (2-1) recovered from a 60-15 loss to national power Bishop Gorman of Nevada last week in Oregon.

The Jackrabbits also won despite having two players carted off the field with apparent leg and neck injuries, respectively.

Mission Viejo (2-1) led 28-17 with 10:37 left in the fourth quarter before Long Beach Poly stormed to the finish behind Smith. The sophomore had seven catches for 251 yards and three scores.

“We did everything to lose the game, and it happened,” Mission Viejo coach Chad Johnson said. “We were running the ball. I thought we were good. We’re going to win this game, imposing our will, and then unfortunately, young guys make mistakes.”

“Same as last year — don’t execute in any one of the three phases,” he added. “We got to get better. Got to be better coaches.”

Safety Travis Anderson gave Mission Viejo a 21-17 lead late in the third quarter by returning an interception 64 yards for a score. The Boise State committed senior led the county with nine interceptions last season.

Early in the fourth, running back Hinesward Lilomaiava added a 10-yard TD run on fourth-and-1 as the Diablos, ranked third in Orange County, opened a 28-17 advantage.

The junior finished with 173 yards rushing.

Mission Viejo scored 22 unanswered points for the 28-17 lead before Poly scored on 61-yard TD reception by Smith with 4:47. His second, tackle-busting score cut the Diablos’ lead to 28-25.

The schools’ current rivalry began in 2003 under former Mission Viejo coach Bob Johnson and former Poly coach Raul Lara. They played nonleague games in 2003-4, 2010-11, a playoff game in 2012, nonleague games in 2016-17 and again since ’21.

Poly won last season 35-30.

Long Beach Poly trailed 17-6 at halftime but Mission Viejo cut into the lead. Lilomaiava capped a 62-yard drive to open the third quarter with a 22-yard TD run. Fellow running back Chase Valousky caught the 2-point conversion as the Diablos cut their deficit to three points.

In the first half, Mission Viejo took an early 6-0 lead on a 21-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Cash Semonza from Draiden Trudeau with 8:56 left in the opening quarter. The PAT failed.

The Diablos scored shortly after an interception by Boise state committed cornerback Treyvon Tolmaire at the Jackrabbits 42.

But Long Beach Poly, led by wide receiver Smith, responded with 14 unanswered points to take the lead.

Moments after the Mission Viejo score, the speedy senior broke several tackles on a 79-yard touchdown reception from Colorado State committed QB Darius Curry.

Long Beach Poly then capitalized on an interception by its defense. On first-and-goal from the Long Beach Poly 7, the Diablos had a play-action pass intercepted in the end zone by freshman defensive back Julius Johnson with 10:02 left in the second quarter.

The Jackrabbits drove 80 yards for a 1-yard TD run Curry to open a 14-6 lead.

Smith sparked the scoring march with two long receptions and finished the half with five catches for 179 yards.

Long Beach Poly’s defense forced a fumble on the ensuing possession that to a field goal and a 17-6 lead at halftime.

Lilomaiava and defensive end Jaden Williams were bright spots for Mission Viejo in the first two quarters. Lilomaiava rushed for 83 yards on eight carries while Williams recorded a sack, QB pressure and tackle for loss.

Next week, Mission Viejo plays host to Highland on Friday, Sept. 8. Highland, a Division 4 playoff team last season, entered Friday with an 0-2 record.

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