History tends to repeat itself. As they did last year, the Bruins dominated Portola under a new head coach, this time led by first-year coach Raudric Curtis in a 35-0 season-opening win.
Senior quarterback Mack Cooper came back this season playing turnover-free football as he ended the game with 159 passing yards and a touchdown while completing 61% of his passes. Cooper’s only touchdown was a 25-yard pass to senior tight end Jagger Kohagura.
Wilson used a different game plan as they did last year, putting an emphasis on the rushing game with a total of 30 rushing attempts from six different players. Senior Kori Scott broke the game for Wilson as he accounted for half of the team’s carries with 16 rushes for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
5’8, 152 pound senior running back Rick’quan Thompson was the second biggest contributor in the run game for Wilson and finished the game with a touchdown.Thompson ended the game with seven rushes for 26 yards and one touchdown.
While the passing game took a small backseat to the rushing game, senior wide receiver, cornerback and kicker Thomas Jones continues to show flashes of his speed and yards-after-catch ability. Jones accounted for 70% of the passing attack and had an average of 17 yards per catch. He ended the game with six catches for 102 yards and led Wilson in both receptions and yards.
Wilson’s defense was just as impressive as the offense. Sophomore running back, wide receiver and cornerback Jemel Grigsby made a huge play defensively when sophomore quarterback Orion Suttle threw an off-target slant route that fell right in the hands of Grigsby.
Once that ball fell into his hands, Grigsby outran the Portola defenders and took it back the other way on what was approximately a 50-yard pick-six for Wilson.
Wilson plays another non-league away game against the Marina Vikings on August 29 at 7 p.m.
