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 isn’t taking their playoff position lightly. The Bruins are coming off a convincing 42-13 win in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 9 playoffs and travel to Glendale Community College on Friday to take on Village Christian in the second round at 7:30pm.
“We’re here now,” said first-year Wilson coach Travis Clark after the Bruins win last week. “But game two in the playoffs is the hardest.”
They say that defense wins championships, and the Bruins showed just that in their first round matchup against Victor Valley with five total interceptions. Jalen Nelson and Evan Mack both had a pick while Max Barbee grabbed two.
The Bruins offense runs through the ground, where Deuce Weston earned 137 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 14 carries last week. Jamell Edmond and Kori Scott also rushed for a touchdown each, and QB Mack Cooper found Barbee for one through the air.
The Crusaders will similarly look to bring a heavy rushing attack as they did in their first round matchup against Covina, racking up 372 total rushing yards. Village Christian also threw for 167 yards in that high-scoring 64-34 win.
The Bruins are ranked No. 234 in the state according too MaxPreps while Village Chritsian sits at 292. Calpreps predicts a 31-24 ball game in favor of Wilson and gives the Bruins a 65% chance of winning.
The last time Wilson was in the playoffs was in 2019, and they made it all the way to the semifinals that year. With a win, the Bruins would go on to face the winner between St. Genevieve and Great Oak.
