The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
“We have unfinished business over there on 7th Street.”
These were the words from first-year Head Coach Raudric Curtis in regards to this year’s Bruins. The team is playing with something to prove.
“Consistently, Wilson is not named in the top of Moore League,” Curtis said. “There’s a chip on our shoulder to be remembered as something great, and these kids have taken on that ownership to go out as a team that does something that hasn’t been done in a long time.”
However, there is a bit of transition happening at Wilson with a new leader at the helm. The Bruins’ football program is no stranger to change – especially when it comes to their head coach.
“This season, we want to start building a coach that can last, like something to build on for the future,” Senior tight end Jagger Kohagura said. “We want to build a program that people want to come to and play football for.”
Curtis is going into his 20th year coaching high school football, so he is ready for the challenge and is bringing years of knowledge to his new home.
“I’m bringing a ton of experience and confidence and gravity that has been earned through having successful runs and learning from unsuccessful runs, and having great models and mentors and peers that have been able to capture what I think success looks like,” Curtis said.
The Bruins are looking to build off the success they had last year, which saw them reach a CIF championship game. Curtis wants that success to roll over into this year and be elevated with what his staff is implementing into the program.
“We got really close to a CIF championship last year, but close is not enough over where we’re at,” Curtis said.
To lean into this mission, Curtis is relying on some of his strong returners and senior captains. Curtis feels confident in a handful of his returning linemen along with Kohagura, wide receiver and safety Thomas Jones and quarterback Mack Cooper to help keep the momentum going.
“When I talk about what success is, they’re able to echo those things,” Curtis said. “I’m not having to re-explain that you have to give everything you got, nothing less will do.”
After a strong junior year, Cooper just recently committed to play Division I ball at Prairie View University in Houston, Texas. Before he leaves, he’s hoping to finish the job at Wilson with his team who is dedicated to the same mission.
“Last year we fell short, and that just makes me feel like maybe we didn’t do enough,” Cooper said. “So this year, we’re definitely working a lot harder to get to that point of excellence and perfection.”
One way these upperclassmen are working toward this is by making sure their team truly feels like a team. They know that the more bonded their team is off the field, the better they’ll be on the field.
“I feel like our team has some of the best chemistry it’s had in a long time,” Kohagura said. “It’s not just like a bunch of individuals on the field, we’re slowly becoming one body, one team.”
Curtis doesn’t only want his team to be strong in one area, he wants them to be balanced in all areas. From defense to their running and passing game, Curtis wants his team to be a threat in any way they can be.
Senior running backs Kori Scott and Raquan Thompson are leading Wilson’s running team. Sophomores Kyle Harris and Jamel Grigsby are some young speedsters who have also been strong throughout the summer.
“We’ve lost a couple kids to transferring, but we’ve had a lot of younger kids step up and we’re really proud,” Jones said.
Speed is also a strength in the Bruins’ receiver crew, anchored by seniors Jones and Jack Oakes. Kohagura is also going to be dangerous on the field as a versatile player, capping off an offensive threat that, along with Cooper, Curtis described as “a nightmare.”
“Teams are going to pay, because we have speed and we have the ability to catch the ball at a very high capacity,” Curtis said. “So, the talent is really, very deep here.”
Andrew Piggue II is a tall, corner transfer for the Bruins with tons of range. Curtis said Piggue’s speed and experience will lock other teams down and allow the receivers to do some work.
“Being able to match their best receiver with some talent at the corner level is going to be great,” Curtis said.
On the technical side of things, Curtis is looking to elevate his team in all ways possible. Whether that’s in the classroom, weight room or on the field, Curtis and his staff are going to be attacking growth by taking each day as it comes.
“We’re going against the Moore League – everybody’s talented,” Curtis said. “The only thing that’s gonna separate us is our dedication to our craft and our attention to the little things.”
The team said Curtis has poured a lot of attention into helping them grow. As they continue focusing on growing together, they’re getting ready to make a statement this season.
“I really want us to be competitive in the league,” Kohagura said. “I feel like Wilson tends to be seen as just a mediocre team, and I want us to come out and compete.”
Kohagura said the tone will be set in the Bruins’ preseason games. Their season kicks off Aug. 22 when they travel to Portola, and Moore League begins Sept. 26 at Millikan.
As each game comes, each team will bring a new challenge to the Bruins. But, Wilson is going into each game with a wanting to win mentality and have no plans to slow down.
“I don’t think there’s such a thing as an underdog,” Cooper said. “I think we’re capable of winning it all and going as far as we push ourselves to go.”
2025 Wilson Football Schedule
8/22 – at Portola
8/29 – at Marina
9/5 – vs. Sunny Hills
9/12 – vs. Dana Hills
9/26 – at Millikan*
10/3 – vs. Compton*
10/10 – vs. Cabrillo*
10/17 – at Long Beach Poly*
10/24 – vs. Jordan
10/30 – at Lakewood*
* = Moore League game
Projected Starters:
Offense
QB: Mack Cooper (Sr.)
RB: Jamel Grigsby (So.) / Kori Scott (Sr.)
WR: Thomas Jones (Sr.) / Kyle Harris (So.) / Brooklyn Vega (Jr.) / Branden Cruz (Jr.)
TE: Jagger Kohagura (Sr.)
OL: Santiago Delgado (Jr.) / Eddie Flores (Sr.) / Zach Saucedo (Sr.) / Andrew Nunez (Sr.) / John Chapman (Jr.)
Defense
DL: Daelan Foster (Sr.) / Jagger Kohagura (Sr.) / Zach Saucedo (Sr.) / John Chapman (Jr.)
DB: Thomas Jones (Sr.) / Keian Rogers (Sr.) / Cahmarr Davis (Fr.) / Andrew Piggue Jr. (Sr.)
LB: Dylan Sula (Jr.) / Kingston Meyer (Jr.) / Luis Castro (Sr.)
