The562’s coverage of football in 2023-24 is sponsored in part by the MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center Foundation and Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital Foundation
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
It was the dictionary definition of “offensive efficiency” for the Wilson Bruins, as they defeated the Compton Tarbabes 42-13 to pick up their first Moore League win.
In only about ten first half offensive snaps, the Bruins scored on four of them, thanks to their running game.
“When you have Christian Chapman and Laighton Scott in the backfield… we have some offensive weapons. That was really the key,” explained Wilson head coach Scott Meyer. Both Chapman and Scott would finish the game with over 100 yards rushing and two scores EACH. (Talk about a 1-2 punch.)
Compton received the opening kick-off and using their trademark Wing T, they would deceive the Bruin defense and chew up the clock. The Bruin defense held it down, forcing a punt, yet Compton would pin Wilson within their own ten yard line.
Despite poor field position, a quick swing pass to Chapman brought Wilson out of their own red zone. Then, next play, Scott thundered down the field 65 yards for the opening score, giving Wilson a 7-0 lead with 3:28 left in the first quarter.
Compton’s Willard would slow momentum with a huge kick off return to give the Tarbabes excellent field position. Compton’s second drive would extend into the second quarter, and Bruin penalties would continue it, despite seeing third and longs. The Tarbabes tied the game with a quarterback sneak by Francis Madera at 9:37.
Wilson’s Chapman then immediately sucked the momentum out of Compton with an electric 65 yard run down the left side, giving Wilson the lead back in just over twenty seconds. It was 14-7 Wilson, with 9:13 left in the first half.
Self-inflicted wounds further swung momentum to Wilson, as Compton’s offensive snap was a turnover on their own one yard line. Scott would punch it, giving Wilson the 33-7 lead with 8:59 left in the half. Then, the next drive, despite success, Wilson would force an interception at around mid-field. The Bruins drove down the field, and Ian Bond found the end zone with under two minutes left. It was 28-7 Wilson at half.
It was a special half time celebration, as the 2023 Wilson Athletic Hall of Fame was formally inducted. Here is a list of athletes and coaches inducted:
- Zoe Stavrou, Softball, 2015
- Loren Stavrou, Softball, 2012
- Christofer Hart, Basketball, 2004
- Eric “EWill” Williams, Basketball, 2004
- Chay Lapin, Water Polo, 2004
- Scott Swanson, Water Polo, 2004
- Ashley Freeman, Track and Field, 2003
- Terry Kennedy, Track and Field, Coach
After the celebration, Wilson returned to business, as Chapman would sprint 65 yards for another score. It was 35-7 Wilson, 11:45 left in the third quarter. Compton tried to slow the blitzkrieg with a methodical drive. However, the Bruin defense swarmed the Wing T, and a turnover on downs at Wilson’s 37 ended the drive.
Wilson continued the offensive power, as Chapman would again run for a 65 yard score. However, an illegal block in the back denied Chapman of the hat trick. Instead, Ian Bond would go for his second score of the night and kick the PAT afterwards. That made it 42-7 Wilson, with 3:42 left in the third quarter.
The Tarbabes would score one last time with 5:25 left in the game on a two yard run by Willard. The two point conversion was unsuccessful. The Bruins would run out the clock, and the score was 42-13 final.
“[Wilson] was the better team tonight. We made mistakes on both sides of the ball that hurt us. We need to be better with the fundamentals and situational football. It was not bad, but it was not enough. Luckily, we have a bye, so we have time to correct all these things,” commented Compton head coach Calvin Bryant.
Compton (3-2, 1-1) has a bye next week, and their next game is October 6, when they host the Jordan Panthers (4-1, 0-1).
“We have Cabrillo next week on senior week, so we are hoping to send the seniors off on a good note. We talked last week that we wanted to be 3-3 , after we played Cabrillo, and we got four to go. The goal is to make the playoffs, so we need at least two more,” said Meyer on looking ahead for the rest of Moore League play.
Wilson (2-3, 1-1) hosts Cabrillo (2-4, 0-2) on September 29; kick-off is 7 P.M.
