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.
The562’s coverage of Jordan Athletics is sponsored by former LBUSD superintendent Chris Steinhauser.
The two most important touchdowns on Friday night at Compton College came from Wilson on fourth down. The Bruins opened the scoring with a fourth-down touchdown pass, and quarterback Mack Cooper tossed another fourth-down score to all but clinch a 34-14 victory over Jordan.
Wilson (6-3, 2-2) is now tied with Lakewood for third place in the Moore League. That spot is the last automatic bid for the upcoming CIF Southern Section playoffs, and the Bruins host the Lancers in the regular season finale next week.
Deuce Weston was the difference maker for Wilson as he rushed for two touchdowns, caught another touchdown and came down with an interception on defense in his first full game back on the field. Weston, a transfer senior, sat out the first half of the season.
“I’ve been waiting,” Weston said. “These games have been kind of a warm up and get back to game speed, but honestly, I’m just happy to be back. And it’s nice to have a little coming out party again.”
Weston finished with over 150 all-purpose yards.
“He’s getting his legs under him now but I don’t want to wear him out,” Wilson coach Travis Clark said of Weston. “We’re trying to tune up for a playoff run and hopefully he’s going to be 100 percent healthy. He and Jamell are going to be a heck of a 1-2 punch. I’m proud of those guys and how they’ve run the ball.”
Wilson running back Jamell Edmond rushed the ball 20 times for 136 yards.
Jordan (2-6, 1-3) put forth a valiant effort and the game was tied 14-14 at halftime before Edmond, Weston and the Bruins wore down the Panthers.
“This is the best game I’ve seen them play, even though we lost,” Jordan coach Eric Richardson said. “We came out and competed, the energy was high in the first half, and the difference between the wins and losses are just a couple plays here and there.”
Wilson junior Thomas Jones stopped the opening drive of the game with an interception, but the Jordan defense stopped the Bruins’ first drive with a turnover on downs in the red zone.
The next Wilson drive ended in a 33-yard screen pass touchdown from Mack Cooper to Weston on 4th & 7 late in the first quarter.
After big runs from quarterback Kalib Tautolo got Jordan into scoring position on the ensuing drive, he found Da’mari Taylor for a 27-yard touchdown and a 7-7 tie.
Both teams had their first drives of the second quarter stall because of key tackles for loss, but Wilson only needed three plays to take the lead with 2:58 until halftime. Weston capped it with a 15-yard touchdown run.
Jordan responded with a nine-play, 77-yard drive that Tautolo capped with another touchdown pass to Taylor from nine yards out with 10 seconds left on the clock.
“He’s bouncy,” Richardson said of Taylor. “It’s his explosiveness. He’s fast but when the ball is in the air he’s got that ability to use one or two feet to bounce off the ground and get vertical.”
Wilson defensive backs Jaden Frauchiger and Evan Mack both came up with interceptions early in the third quarter to set up the run-heavy Wilson offense. Cooper scored on a 1-yard sneak to give his team the 21-14 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The Bruins clinched the game with a 13-play drive that took more than seven minutes off the clock. On 4th & 10 from the 16-yard line, Cooper found Max Barbee on a backside slant for the touchdown and 28-14 advantage. Weston scored again late on a 39-yard scamper after he came up with his interception on defense.
“I’m feeling a lot better, I’ve definitely felt a bit winded these last couple of weeks,” Weston said. “I’m just trying to get back at that tempo… I’ve got to get a kick or punt return back to the crib now.”
Jordan finishes the season at Cabrillo on Friday.
“Obviously we want to go out with a win and send the seniors off the way they deserve to be sent off,” Richardson said.
