Throughout a football player’s career, they will often hear one phrase: Play until the whistle is blown.
Compton junior Erick Barrios had that in his mind during the second quarter of the team’s Moore League contest at Wilson on Friday.
With the Bruins in the red zone and trailing by two, Wilson senior fullback Elijah Wilkins was stuffed at the line of scrimmage and some thought the referees would blow the whistle.
However, they didn’t and Barrios stripped the ball and returned it 93 yards for a touchdown.
“I saw the ball under his arm and snatched it,” Barrios said. “I thought the play was dead.”
After that play, it was all Compton as they beat Wilson 36-14.
It was Compton’s first victory on the field over Wilson since 2006. Compton won via forfeit in 2013.
Compton (2-2) had lost its previous two games by a combined score of 96-0 but had plenty to cheer throughout the night.
The defense held the Bruins to under 140 total yards and had two defensive touchdowns.
“We had a great game plan (on defense),” Compton coach Calvin Bryant said. “I tell them (the team) to not let the past games effect your future.”
After forcing a 3-and-out to start the game, Wilson (0-4) junior Dominque Carter returned the punt 53 yards for a touchdown to give the Bruins a 6-0 lead with 10 minutes, 10 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
The Bruins next drive stalled near the red zone and the Tarbabes started to move the ball behind nice runs from Barrios and junior Deon Johnson.
Johnson scored on a 15-yard run on the final play of the quarter and Compton converted the 2-point conversion to take a 8-6 lead.
Junior Deshawn Sheppard had a fumble recovery for a touchdown and Johnson added a 34-yard touchdown in the third and Compton led 30-6 after three. Johnson had 11 carries for 81 yards and two touchdowns.
Barrios finished the night with nine carries for 80 yards and three receptions for 27 yards for a touchdown along with the fumble recovery for a score.
“He (Barrios) is a special kid and we want to get him as many touches as we can,” Bryant said.
After suffering a right leg injury in the third quarter of last week’s loss to St. Anthony, Bruins senior quarterback Xander McLaurin returned on Friday and had a late touchdown pass to sophomore running back Dejon Harold.
Compton is on the road next week at Narbonne while Wilson hosts Cabrillo.
