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.
The562’s coverage of Cabrillo Athletics is sponsored by the Cohn Family.
The Wilson Bruins sent their seniors off on a good note with a 42-0 victory against the Cabrillo Jaguars and continued positive momentum into Moore League competition.
After initial Senior Night ceremonies, the Bruins received the opening kickoff and started on their own 35. Utilizing a lot of motion and screens, the Bruins were able to spread the Jaguar defense, allowing senior running back Laighton Scott V to score the first points of the night off a quick 14 yard catch. It was 7-0 Bruins with 8:12 left in the first quarter.
Cabrillo’s first drive was methodical with a mix of runs, quick outs, and boot legs. However, Wilson’s senior leader, nose tackle Curtin Whiten, would ‘pick-pocket’ Cabrillo for a strip fumble, giving Wilson the ball at midfield.
Shortly, the Bruins would find themselves knocking on the red zone. However, a mishandled screen and an accidental, rogue offensive lineman would see the ball back in Cabrillo’s hands, after defensive backs Moises Estrada and Kahliel Williams would recover the ball. At the end of first, it was 7-0 Wilson.
The Bruins started the second quarter on their own 36. Despite a swarming Cabrillo defense, the Bruins managed to keep getting chunks of yards. Scott would cap off the drive for his second score of the night, a 31 yard rush, to make it 14-0 with under ten minutes left in the half.
In an attempt to catch Cabrillo off guard, Wilson went onside, and almost had possession after the ball took several bounces and squirts out of piles; Cabrillo would eventually recover the ball on their own 30.
With a change of possession, Wilson started on their own 25, then quickly found themselves near the Jaguars red zone after a blitzing 60-yard rush by senior Christian Chapman. Scott finished the drive off with a 20-yard rushing touchdown for his third score of the night. Wilson led 21-0 with 5:20 left in the first half.
The Bruins attempted the onside kick again, and they were successful, thanks to a recovery by sophomore Gavin Guiza. Emotions were high in this game on both sides, knowing the importance for all involved. Those tensions unfortunately spilled out after Chapman scored Wilson’s fourth score, forcing the referees to separate the players and discuss with each staff. Wilson led 28-0 with 3:37 left until halftime.
Wilson would score one more time in a two-minute drill, finding senior Andrew Bond up the seam with :41 remaining. Going into the locker room, it was 35-0 Wilson.
It was one of those “nights” for Cabrillo, where nothing could get going on offense. Despite efforts from sophomores Dylan Edwards, D’Jon Pittman, junior Antonio Elam, and freshman quarterback Fernando Leanos, whether it was self-inflicting or Wilson’s swarming defense, the Jaguars could not find their pace.
Wilson would score one more time with a 27-yard rushing touch down by Chapman with 6:26 left in the third quarter. The final score was 42-0, Bruins.
“It hurts, and it is tough to lose like this. I feel [the players’] frustration. We still have a lot to work on … with three games left. We got to find a way to fight this adversity we are facing,” said Cabrillo head coach Shane Gonzales.
The Cabrillo staff continued on the idea of how it is going to take a collective group effort to help bring the team where they want to be, rather than small individual efforts. Cabrillo (2-5, 0-3) has a bye next week; they host Long Beach Poly on Oct. 13; kickoff is at 7 P.M.
On the other hand, Wilson (3-3, 2-1) has one of the most important events of the year next week: the Big Game against Long Beach Poly (5-1, 2-0).
“Poly is Poly, they are a great team. [The Jackrabbits] will be the best team we play so far, but we are just going to continue to work on our game. We are getting better and better each game… it is a great rivalry and it is fun to be part of, and we will see what happens,” commented Wilson head coach Scott Meyer.
The Big Game will be held at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Oct. 6 at 7 P.M.; it will be the 91st rendition of the match-up.
