The562’s coverage of football in 2024-25 is sponsored by The Terry Donahue Memorial California Showcase.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
Wilson High School has a rich athletic tradition, but the football program has never won a CIF championship.
That fact didn’t deter Travis Clark from becoming the Bruins head coach a few months ago. It inspired him.
“A school that’s been around for 100 years to not have a CIF championship, I couldn’t believe that still existed,” he said. “It sparked my interest… Then I met the (Wilson) administration, and it’s just a feeling you have. This is it. This is going to work.”
Clark comes to Wilson after spending the last nine of his 22 years of coaching at Lawndale where he won a Division 5 CIF-SS and Division II CIF State title in 2018 while being named CIF-SS Coach of the Year.
“It’s always going to be a challenge, something I’ve expected, but it’s been an amazing experience,” Clark said. “It’s a wonderful group of kids here at Wilson.”
The Bruins have gone 9-20 and 5-12 in the Moore League since the shortened COVID season, so Clark and his coaches are trying to build a new culture that’s more physical and demanding.
“This is different because of physicality, but our work ethic is better (as a team),” senior Kaden Draper said. “I struggled with that last year, to be more physical, but it’s mainly mental. You’ve got to want to do it.”
“He’s kind of a quiet leader, he’s early and leaves late,” Clark said of Draper. “He’s coachable, bright and a tremendous person to be around. He’s the kind of person you just want to give him the keys.”
Draper will play linebacker and defensive end alongside senior Jalen Nelson, who has recovered from a broken leg suffered in the game against Lakewood in 2022. The 6’0” 180-pound Nelson is a strong linebacker with good speed in pass coverage.
“I’m just happy to be back out here, I’m trying to show everyone that if you get hurt you can still come back healthy and ball,” Nelson said. “I love hitting and I love contact. I’m just ready to win games.”
“It is inspiring to me,” Draper said of Nelson’s return. “And we can cause some problems for offenses.”
Sophomore Kingston Meyer is tabbed as the other linebacker while senior Larrion Newman and juniors Travon Bible and Zackariah Salcedo are set to be anchors on the defensive line.
A few transfers from Lawndale including Kameron Lynn could be key in the defensive secondary where wide receivers including Maxwell Barbee are going both ways at cornerback for the first time.
Barbee is already showing in practice that he’s ready for a breakout senior season on offense where he’s under the tutelage of DeSean Jackson. The Long Beach Poly alum and former NFL Pro Bowl receiver is a long-time friend of Clark, who he calls, “An older brother and a mentor.”
“For me, I’m a Poly alum, but that doesn’t mean I can’t teach or go help other programs and school,” Jackson said. “I’m a Jackrabbit at heart all the time, but my calling right now is to help the Wilson Bruins.”
Clark said Jackson has been a wonderful asset, and will be calling offensive plays where he’ll use his own experience.
“Over the years I’ve gotten a lot from coach (Andy) Reid in Philadelphia, and (Jeff) Tedford at Cal, just learning philosophy and west coast offense,” Jackson said. “Speed, power and quickness. It’s about putting these kids in the best position to win. I feel like I have a good feel for that after playing at a high level.”
Junior Mack Cooper is back behind center after the highs and lows of starting as a sophomore. The 6’5” 205-pound Cooper said he worked hard on his footwork and mechanics in the offseason after throwing 10 touchdowns in 10 games last year.
“This harder culture (from new coaches) is kind of pushing a lot of kids who maybe didn’t see themselves playing football this year really loving the game and making themselves better,” Cooper said. “More guys are doing stuff at home, outside of practice, and that’s making the program better.”
Lawndale transfer Deuce Weston is one of the most talented additions to the Moore League this season. He is a highly ranked running back for the Class of 2026 and relies on his explosiveness to find open field. He’ll be joined in the backfield by senior Jace Sampson and junior Kori Scott.
Returning starters Christian Caesar and Cole Smullen are the leaders on the offensive line where another Lawndale transfer Kaliopasi Kinikini has added much needed size. Senior Larrion Newman, junior Zackariah Salcedo and junior Eddie Flores will also be in the trenches for the Bruins.
Probable Starters:
Offense
QB – Mack Cooper (Jr.)
RB – Deuce Weston (Jr.) / Jace Sampson (Sr.) / Kori Scott (Jr.)
WR – Maxwell Barbee (Sr.) / Thomas Jones (Jr.)
OL – Kaliopasi Kinikini (Sr.) / Larrion Newman (Sr.) / Zackariah Salcedo (Jr.) / Christian Caesar (Sr.) / Eddie Flores (Jr.) / Cole Smullen (So.)
Defense
DL – Travon Bible (Jr.) / Zackariah Salcedo (Jr.) / Larrion Newman (Sr.)
LB – Kaden Draper (Jr.) / Jalen Nelson (Sr.) / Kingston Meyer (So.)
DB – Maxwell Barbee (Sr.) / Thomas Jones (Jr.) / Kameron Lynn (Sr.)
2024 Wilson Bruins Football Schedule
8/23 – vs. Portola
8/30 – vs. Marina
9/6 – at Sunny Hills
9/12 – at California
9/27 – vs. Millikan
10/3 – at Compton
10/11 – at Cabrillo
10/18 – vs. Long Beach Poly
10/25 – at Jordan
11/1 – vs. Lakewood
