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.
All things considered, Wilson’s first game under new coach Travis Clark couldn’t have gone much better. The Bruins showed dynamic playmaking ability throughout their dominant 27-0 win over Portola in front of a great home crowd on Friday night.
Senior Max Barbee scored three touchdowns for Wilson while the Bruins defense limited Portola to 141 yards of total offense. Wilson also had a special teams and a defensive touchdown in the victory.
“As a coach I’m always concerned about the win or loss, but I didn’t really want the kids to be worried about the win or loss,” Clark said. “I just wanted the kids to play hard and have fun. We’re trying to put pieces together and build this program.”
Barbee, who transferred from Long Beach Poly a few years ago, is now ready for his first full season as a complete game-changer. The senior receiver finished the night with two touchdowns and 130 yards on four catches.
“I’ve always felt like I had the ability and the talent, but circumstances kind of prevented a night like this from happening,” Barbee said. “It’s really good for my confidence just actually seeing it happen. I’ve always believed it could happen but it actually happening is nice. Now we just build on it.”
On the first Portola punt of the game, Barbee scooped the bouncing ball and returned it 60 yards for the touchdown.
“I’ve never taken punts before, even in pregame I was muffing (the punt returns) a little bit, so I was a little nervous,” Barbee said. “I saw (the punt) was short and rolling a little bit and I saw everyone kind of freeze. So I just wanted to pick it up and go. It’s always those punts I see on TV where it’s like everyone thinks it’s a dead ball. If you pick it up and go you have the angle.”
The next time Barbee touched the ball, it was on Wilson’s first offensive play of the season and it ended in an 85-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Mack Cooper. That made it 14-0 Wilson less than six minutes into the game. It makes sense that the much improved Barbee is flourishing under new offensive coordinator and NFL record holder DeSean Jackson.
“He’s had an incredible offseason and this kid is a college football player,” Clark said of Barbee. “He’s been working with DeSean Jackson and you can see the improvement. He’s incredible, sensational and electric. What we’ve been trying to instill in him is confidence. What a coming out party for him tonight. I’m so happy for him. He deserves it.”
Barbee’s final touchdown came on an impressive diving catch in the end zone to make it 21-0 Wilson in the third quarter on the 16-yard toss from Cooper. The junior quarterback finished 9-for-13 for 185 yards and the two touchdowns to Barbee.
Meanwhile, the Wilson defense was fantastic while limiting Portola quarterback Nash Luper to 9-for-24 passing, 70 yards and two interceptions. Wilson linebackers Jalen Nelson and Kaden Draper were especially active at the second level while Kameron Lynn and Jaden Frauchiger came up with interceptions. Frauchiger’s pick came at the goal line in the fourth quarter and he returned it 99 yards to cap the scoring.
“I just tracked the ball and ran down the field,” Frauchiger said. “I was looking for my blockers, then I had to cut and break a tackle, and it was great from there. I was so tired.”
Portola only rushed for 72 yards on 27 carries.
This is Wilson’s third shutout victory in the last six games, but its first season opening win in four years.
“The talent is here, and this (win) is very important,” Cooper said. “You can’t go 2-0 without going 1-0… It’s definitely a big step.”
Wilson hosts Marina next week.
