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 last time Wilson football hosted a CIF Southern Section playoff game the world had never heard of COVID-19.
Wilson is back in the postseason for the first time since 2019 and will host Victory Valley in the first round of Division 9 on Friday at 7 p.m.
“These seniors haven’t been in the playoffs and they know it’s special because I preach it all of the time,” Wilson first-year coach Travis Clark said. “They deserve the opportunity to roll the dice.”
Victor Valley (8-1, 3-1) is the second place finisher out of the Desert Sky League and their only loss is to league champion Barstow.
The Jackrabbits rely heavily on their running back Victor Villa. The 5’6” 165-pound junior has rushed for 1,213 yards (9.3 YPC) and 13 touchdowns this season. The Jackrabbits are averaging over 200 yards rushing per game as a team.
Victor Valley’s defense has also been tough up front led by Ben Munoz. The 5’9” 170-pound senior is averaging 9.7 tackles per game. The Jackrabbits have recorded 23 sacks and 16 forced turnovers this season.
Wilson (6-4, 3-3) is the at-large out of the Moore League and will try to impose its physical superiority against Victor Valley.
Quarterback Mack Cooper (6’5” 205lbs) completed 64 percent of his passes this season for almost 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns. Senior receiver Max Barbee (6’2” 185lbs) racked up a team-high 1,021 all-purpose yards this year.
On defense, seniors Jalen Nelson (6’0” 180lbs) and Kaden Draper (6’1” 215lbs) had 82 and 75 tackles this season, respectively.
“(I want to play in the playoffs so bad,” Cooper said. “I dream about it every night. But we have to eliminate mistakes. Protect the football. We have to play as a team in general. Playing as an individual never helps. We have to play as a team to strive for greatness.”
Wilson beat Portola, Sunny Hills and California in lopsided non-league competition, but then lost big results to Millikan, Long Beach Poly and Lakewood at home. The six wins are also the best since 2019.
*All statistics according to MaxPreps
