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.
The Wilson football team showcased multiple facets of their offense on Thursday night at Compton College as the Bruins defeated Compton 49-0.
After the Bruins’ defense recovered a fumble on Compton’s opening drive, Jamell Edmond went right to work with a 17-yard run to put Wilson inside the Compton 20-yard-line.
After Mack Cooper connected with Thomas Jones for a short gain, Deuce Weston scored on a 9-yard run to put the Bruins up 7-0 leads with 8:04 left in the first quarter.
“If you get a win, you’re happy,” Wilson coach Travis Clark said. “Especially for the kids, we can do our Saturday work on Friday and they can have their weekend so you feel good for the kids.”
The Wilson defense came up with another quick stop on the ensuing drive, but on the punt return Compton was able to force a fumble and Jaikup Rodriguez came up with the ball to put the Tarbabes offense back on the field.
It was another quick 3-and-out as Wilson was able to stuff Compton’s quick passes early holding Francis Madera to only nine yards on his first five passes.
“This was kind of tough to swallow, you know?,” Compton coach Calvin Bryant said. “I thought we were a better team a week before, and we didn’t get it done. Tried to plan, but we gave them so many explosive plays, it makes it so tough for you to stay in the game.”
After some solid yards from Edmond, who finished the game with 71 yards, Cooper connected with Max Barbee for an 8-yard touchdown to put Wilson up 14-0 with 6:22 left in the first half.
Barbee got the ball right back after he picked off Madera on the ensuring drive to put the Bruins inside Compton territory.
Wilson showed off their depth on that next drive as sophomore QB Elacion Saxton made his season debut by breaking free to score a 7-yard touchdown to push the Bruins lead to 21-0.
“He’s been working with us all spring, all summer, all offseason,” Clark said. “So the kid deserves to play. Once they cleared him, we knew we were going to put him in the game tonight. I thought he did some great things and he’s prepared really hard.”
The Bruins have had a frustrating season after a number of their transfers have been denied eligibility, but Saxton was one that was able to suit up after the sit-out period.
“It’s a painful situation,” Clark said of the transfers not being eligible. “People pretty much know what’s going on. There’s a lot of disparity that’s not equitable with our system. I think the CIF needs to reevaluate what they’re doing because all we’re doing is hurting kids.”
Saxton and Cooper each ran for and tossed a touchdown as the duo both got things going for the Bruins’ offense.
Max Barbee finished the game with three catches for 45 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground Deuce Weston was the team’s leading rushers with 112 yards and two touchdowns including a 73-yard house call to put the Bruins up 35-0 early in the third quarter.
Before the game, the Compton community had a moment of silence for former player Aava Lilomaiava, who died on Wednesday night.
“I’ve been thinking about him since I woke up this morning,” said Bryant, who coached Lilomaiava from 2019-22.
Compton will now have a bye week before returning to action against Jordan on Oct. 18 and Wilson will travel to the West Side to take on Cabrillo next Friday night.
