The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
Saturday night’s CIF-SS Division 3 second-round matchup between Wilson and Quartz Hill was a tale of two halves—one full of defense and the other full of offense.
Wilson came away with three interceptions through the early stages of the third quarter, keeping Quartz Hill scoreless before the Bruins finally found some offensive life at the Royals’ one-yard line. Quartz Hill proceeded to return a fourth-down interception 80 yards for a touchdown, sparking a complete shift in momentum in favor of the visitors as they built an 18-point lead into the fourth quarter.
The Bruins were able to respond and find some offensive success in that fourth quarter, pulling within one score with under two minutes to play. However, Wilson couldn’t convert the ensuing onside attempt, sealing an 18-14 second-round loss.
“We played a great first half, but that start of the third quarter took some air out of it with the interception for a touchdown,” said Wilson co-coach Neil Nelson. “For us, we were just keeping our heads up. These girls are young—we have nine freshmen—and they just stuck together at the end. This group of girls is so close-knit, and they picked themselves up. They did that, and that was a great comeback effort. I can’t wait for what these girls have in the future.”
Wilson’s defense played about as well as possible in the first half, shutting down the Quartz Hill offense by forcing a pair of punts and two turnovers. Quarterback/defensive back Skylar Metcalf had an interception in the first quarter, while fellow freshman Elsa Habig added another in the second. Senior Jordyn Jefferson then returned an interception to the Quartz Hill one-yard line to start the third quarter.
From there, the Bruins ran the ball with Metcalf on back-to-back downs in goal-to-go a situation before tossing a short pass to Jefferson on the right side on third down. Jefferson’s knee hit the ground just before her outstretched arms reached over the goal line, leaving Wilson just short of the end zone. The Bruins then passed on fourth-and-goal, but Quartz Hill’s Samantha Grey picked it off in the end zone and went coast-to-coast for an 80-yard pick-six to take a 6-0 lead.
Momentum certainly sat with the visitors from there, as Quartz Hill forced a punt on its ensuing defensive possession before scoring the first offensive touchdown of the game on its next drive. That drive ended with a long touchdown connection from quarterback Jordan Harkins to receiver Yesenia Mitchell down the right side, extending the Royals’ lead to 12-0.
Wilson’s Metcalf left the game with a lower-body injury during that drive, forcing the Bruins to turn to a new quarterback on their ensuing possession. That drive ended with an interception by Quartz Hill’s Izzy Johnson, setting the Royals up deep in Wilson territory. However, the Bruins’ defense held strong and forced a turnover on downs.
The visitors then forced a turnover on downs on the other end, getting the ball right back in Wilson territory. Quartz Hill was able to capitalize from there, as Mitchell capped off a short drive with a touchdown run up the middle to give the Royals an 18-0 advantage.
“After that last touchdown from them, these girls got together and kept their heads up,” Nelson said of falling behind by 18 points. “I spoke to individual girls and told them to get their team, and they rallied around each other and didn’t let it hurt them. That’s why I love these girls. They’re really tight-knit, and I love them.”
That’s what sparked Wilson’s comeback effort, as the Bruins marched down the field on their ensuing possession with Metcalf back in the game, as the freshman found Jefferson with a catch over a defender in the endzone for Wilson’s first score.
The Bruins trailed by 12 points after the missed extra-point attempt before getting the ball right back after forcing a punt. With just over two minutes to play, Metcalf connected with Kingsley Medlen for a touchdown pass before finding fellow freshman Elsa Habig for the two-point conversion to cut the lead to 18-14.
Wilson then went for an onside “kick,” which is a single play from its own territory with 20 yards to the line to gain. Under CIF flag football rules, teams can elect to run one onside play instead of a kickoff per game. Metcalf dropped back before taking off toward the marker but came up short, allowing Quartz Hill to kneel out the final minute and seal the victory.
“We played a good game. They only scored two touchdowns on us, and our defense stepped up. Speed kills,” Nelson said. “But like I said, we have five freshmen, one sophomore and a senior—so six of them are coming back next year. We just need to get better. The sport is evolving, everyone, but I got something for ’em.”
The loss caps the first season for Wilson under Nelson and fellow co-coach Shannon Fisher, who have also been longtime coaches of Wilson’s nationally recognized track and field program. The Bruins finished 16-9 this year with a 3-5 record in Moore League play.
Quartz Hill will advance to the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 3 bracket against either Inglewood or Murrieta Valley on Tuesday.
