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 Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
Lakewood showed up to it’s matchup at Wilson on Friday night and played like it was their last—that’s because it could’ve been.
The Lancers fought in their season finale with a guaranteed playoff spot on the line, and came out hot on all cylinders with scores on both offense and defense in a dominant 44-7 win.
“We were only guaranteed 48 minutes left for the season tonight and we talked about making the most of every minute that we had on this field,” said coach Justin Utupo. “I’m proud of the way all three phases played out. We had a blocked punt, got points on our opening drive, got turnovers and points on defense. I’m just super proud of my boys.”
Lakewood’s offense was the first to strike with a field goal from Dane Mason, and the Lancers scored touchdowns on five of their next seven drives. QB Kade Casillas got the Lancers pass game going with a 62-yard touchdown to Cecil Xavier Smith at the end of the first quarter.
Casillas also found a 22-yard connection to Kenny Niumataevalu before the half, and the junior finished the game with 250 passing yards and three touchdowns.
“I felt a good game coming,” said Casillas, who was fired up to get another chance in the playoffs after a first-round loss last year. “Last year for me starting, I led us to the playoffs and then we lost in the first game. I just use that as fuel.”
The Lancers looked to their ground game in the second quarter after a blocked punt that set Lakewood up at the Wilson nine-yard line. Two run plays later, Nytrell Miller plunged into the endzone from one-yard out to increase the Lakewood lead to 17-0.
On the ensuing drive for the Lakewood defense, cornerback Reggie Butts III picked the Bruins off before returning it for a 72-yard pick-six. After Niumataevalu’s 22-yarder, the Lancers went into the half up by a lopsided 31-0.
“I watched the film and I saw the formation and knew what was coming. I just executed,” said Butts, who contributed to an active night for a Lakewood secondary. “I love the energy from all my other dbs today. It was really big for us (to get this momentum).”
“Our DNA is our red swarm defense,” added Utupo. “We flew around and our effort is the ultimate eraser. We’re not always gonna be perfect but if we’re flying to the ball with our hairs on fire, good things happen.”
Wilson found their first and only score of the game after a 5:30 drive to open the first half capped off by a Deuce Weston two-yard touchdown rush. Weston finished the game with 42 yards and that TD, while fellow RB Jamell Edmond ended the night with 40 yards.
Lakewood found two more scores in the second half, including a connection from Casillas to Niumataevalu for their second hook-up. The Lancers also received a 10-yard touchdown rush down the middle in the half by RB Jojo Apisala.
Two weeks ago, Apisala collapsed on the field mid-game against Millikan, and was tended to by emergency personnel and was transported to the hospital. According to Apisala, doctors came to the conclusion of an issue regarding his heart, and even brought up considering quitting football. Apisala eventually passed medical tests and says he did everything he could to get back to football as quickly as possible.
“I got nervous, got a little bit sad and scared, you know?” he said. “But I’m glad I’m out here. Over our bye week I didn’t do anything. I just relaxed and made sure to get some rest in. I came back this week and didn’t get into pads until Wednesday night, and those first three days I was just running miles, running the bleachers, doing everything I could.”
Lakewood’s Niumataevalu finished the game with four catches for 83 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while Xavier Smith ended his night with four catches for a game-high 128 yards and a score.
The Lancers will await the CIF-SS football bracket release on Sunday before playoffs begin next week, while Wilson will wait for a potential at-large bid. The562 will have live coverage when the brackets release on Sunday starting at 9:30.
