The562’s football coverage for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Long Beach Poly alums Wendell “WoWo” Moe, Jr. & Tyson Ruffins.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
After looking sharp to start the second half, the Long Beach Wilson football team withstood a late rally from Compton Friday night that came down to a two-point conversion attempt.
Compton’s Leton Washington found Trevon Fair in the endzone to cut the Bruins’ lead to just two points. On the two-point conversion attempt, Washington got pushed out of the pocket, looked to his left and heaved a desperation throw to try and tie the game.
Ultimately, the throw landed in front of Ronnie Mixon and Wilson came away with a 23-21 win to remain unbeaten in Moore League play.
“I think with a tough team like that, you can’t have the type of penalties in the crucial situations that we have,” Wilson coach Raudric Curtis said. “We have touchdowns, getting called back, we got big plays getting called back that, you know, you get behind the sticks 10, 12 yards, it’s just hard to, you know, stay on the field.”
It was a big night for Compton (3-4, 1-2) as they welcomed Washington and Edward Rivera – who were making their debut after waiting for the CIF sit-out period to end.
The duo made an immediate impact as Washington completed three passes for 26 yards and Rivera capped Compton’s opening drive to put the Tarbabes up 6-0 four minutes into the game. They extended the lead to 8-0 when Washington found Micah Hawkins for the 2-point conversion.
“You know, we didn’t get the outcome that we wanted to do, but we still, at the end of the game, played as a team and fought hard, almost came back, Rivera said. “All we got to do was get in and work more.”
Wilson (5-1, 2-0) wasted no time answering back as Mack Cooper moved the ball downfield with completions to Thomas Jones and Kyle Harris. Kori Scott capped the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run, but after a failed two-point conversion the Bruins trailed 8-6 with 5:26 remaining in the first quarter.
“We say dedicated, we definitely got to work harder, though,” Scott said. ”Coaches, stay on us. They keep us disciplined on every detail that they possibly can, and we work hard, we do everything that we possibly can.”
The defenses started to take over at that point as the Bruins forced a turnover on downs and Compton answered back forcing a field goal attempt that was missed. After a punt, Compton’s Tasai Parker picked off Cooper to put the offense back on the field.
However, Zackariah Salcedo came up with a big sack on the next drive to set up Wilson’s offense. Jagger Kohagura came up with an interception a couple plays later, but once again Compton’s defense held strong as Wilson settled for a 42-yard field goal by Leo Osorio-Sanchez that put the Bruins’ up 9-8 at halftime.
Scott got the Bruins going in the second half with 20 yards on the ground and then Cooper capped the drive when he found Cooper for a 22-yard touchdown to push the lead to 16-8.
On the next drive, Nate Willard got loose for a long run for Compton, but the Tarbabes couldn’t get the ball moving and had to punt.
Wilson continued to attack on the ground and Scott had a couple more big runs and after Cooper connected with Kohagura for a 13-yard gain – Scott got loose for a 14-yard touchdown as the Bruins took a 23-8 lead.
After Thomas Jones came up with the Bruins’ third interception of the night, Compton’s defense forced a punt and the offense started to get things going with five minutes left in the game.
Washington started to show what he can do with his arm as he connected with Hawkins and Edwards for big gains before he found Hawkins for a 28-yard touchdown pass.
Looking to run the clock out, Compton once again stifled the Wilson offense forcing another punt and gave the offense a chance to tie the game.
Washington did just that as he continued to find Hawkins who finished the game with 8 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown.
Compton will have a bye week and Wilson will host Cabrillo next week.
