The562’s coverage of Jordan Athletics is sponsored by John Ross, Class of 2013.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
Wilson understood the assignment heading into Friday night’s Moore League contest at Jordan.
If the Bruins wanted to keep their season alive, they had to focus on slowing down junior Jordan Washington and not allowing the Jordan Panthers offense to break big plays that have been a staple of their success this season.
Wilson did just enough Friday night as they were able to hold off a furious comeback defeating Jordan 32-29.
The win sets up a huge showdown with Lakewood next week as the Bruins look to lock up a CIF playoff spot.
“We’ve telling our guys every week that we’ve had some tough losses, but I kept telling the guys that everyone’s been writing about how everyone else is playing for a playoff spot but if we won tonight we’d be 3-2,” Wilson coach Scott Meyer said.
Wilson wasted no time on the opening drive of the game marching 75 yards to score as Ian Bond connected with Christian Chapman for an 18-yard TD to put the Bruins up 8-0.
The drive took six minutes and the Bruins defense came up with a big stop to force a 3-and-out on Jordan’s opening drive.
Wilson extended its lead to start the second quarter after a blocked punt was deflected and rolled out of Jordan’s end zone to give the Bruins a 10-0.
Jordan’s defense came up with a big turnover as they forced fumble on a Chapman hurdle attempt to give the Panthers the ball at their own 36-yard-line.
“Tonight was a struggle, but we all play together as a team,” Chapman said. “We all made a commitment to the team.
Jordan Washington started the next drive in big fashion as he broke free for a 37-yard run to put the Panthers inside the Bruins’ 35 yard line.
After a few runs from JJ Nielsen, Washington capped the drive with a 2-yard TD to cut Wilson’s lead to 10-7.
Chapman and Wilson went marching down the field on the next drive, but Jordan’s Jonathan Edwards picked off a Bond pass attempt at the goal line and returned it to the 46-yard line.
Nielsen then guided Jordan down the field and scored on a 2-yard TD to give Jordan a 14-10 lead with 42 seconds remaining in the half.
It was plenty of time for Bond and the Wilson offense as Bond found Barbee for 36 yards to set up Wilson at the Panther’s 20-yard-line.
After a couple incompletions, Bond connected with Barbee once again for a 20-yard TD as time expired and Wilson went into halftime with a 17-14 lead.
Jordan wasted no time to start the second half as Nielsen connected with Deontae Tucker for 13 and 19 yard receptions and Washington scored on a 31-yard TD to give Jordan 20-17 lead with 10:37 left in the third.
Wilson answered right back as Chapman ran for 41 yards of his 158 yards on the night as the Bruins scored on a 7-yard run to give Wilson a 24-20 lead with 6:46 left in the third.
The Bruins’ defense then forced a turnover on downs and Wilson once again scored as Chapman took it in himself from four yards out.
After a two-point conversion, Wilson took a 32-20 lead with 11:12 left in the game.
Back-to-back turnovers by each team set up Wilson inside their own 5-yard-line after Johnathan Weston came up with a pick interception.
But, Jordan once again had a response and they tackled Bond inside the endzone for a safety to cut Wilson’s lead to 32-22.
The Panthers then scored on their next possession as Nielsen scored on a 3-yard run.
Washington finished the night with 20 carries for 177 yards and two TDs while Chapman had 29 carries for 158 yards for 1 TD and 1 reception for 18 yards and a TD. Ian Bond had 140 yards passing and two TDs.
Jordan will be back home next week taking on Cabrillo.
