Long Beach homecoming game ends with Marines’ 15-6 victory

Posted Friday, October 9, 2026 12:13 pm

The Long Beach Marines faced off against the Roosevelt Roughriders in a high-energy, rain-soaked game. The Marines ultimately secured a 15-6 victory, even after a nearly 20-minute delay of game in the third quarter due to a referee injury.

Tim Baker/Herald

Jamie Demerest, left, Jack Meyers and John Whelan served as the color guard to introduce the night’s action. The three are LBHS graduates and members of the Long Beach Fire Department.

Chris Colucci/Herald

Homecoming King Kyran Briggs, a senior, played in the homecoming game while Homecoming Queen Angie Banegas Calderon, also a senior, was in the cheerleading squad on the sidelines.

Tim Baker/Herald

Before the game began, senior Kamille Cooper, left, junior Hudson Christine and senior Lorenzo Cuomo got messy to raise money for Long Beach High School model congress.

Chris Colucci/Herald

The game was delayed for nearly 20 minutes as Point Lookout Fire Department responded to an injured referee during the third quarter. The stadium was temporarily cleared to avoid waiting in the rain.

Chris Colucci/Herald

By Chris Colucci

Ominous clouds threatened rain ahead of last Friday’s Long Beach High School homecoming game as the Marines faced the Roosevelt Roughriders. As crowds entered Long Beach Middle School’s Veterans Field, a brief sprinkle foreshadowed the shower that would inevitably fall later, but attendees were unbothered and remained focused on celebrating the night.

The school parking lot hosted a pre-game carnival with tests of skill and fun presented by an assortment of high school clubs. As the game neared kickoff, Long Beach Fire Department members and Long Beach High School graduates Jamie Demerest, Jack Meyers and John Whelan presented the flag prior to the singing of the National Anthem by students Molly Abrams and Ronan Morita.

“Couldn’t ask for a better night. We’re just hoping for a higher score right now,” said LBHS Principal Andrew Smith after the Marines took a quick 7-0 lead before halftime. “Overall, it’s really great. Great team and they’re having a great season. We’re really proud of them.” During halftime, seniors Kyran Briggs and Angie Bonegas Calderon were announced Homecoming King and Queen, respectively.

After halftime, the skies delivered steady rain as the Roughriders nabbed a quick touchdown, paired with a failed field goal, for their only points of the game. With less than four minutes on the clock in the third quarter, play on the field was halted after referee Howard Kaplan was injured. As the rain worsened, the crowd was asked to shelter in the gymnasium for nearly 20 minutes as emergency services were called. Kaplan was responsive and alert while awaiting care. Point Lookout Fire Department responded and transported Kaplan for treatment off-site. Details of the injury remain unclear as the paper goes to press.

The ambulance’s departure coincided with the rain’s end, as the stadium refilled with attendees and players returned to the field. The Marines secured an additional touchdown in the fourth quarter to deliver a final score of 15-6.

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