The562’s football coverage for the 2026-27 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.
The562’s coverage of Millikan Athletics for the 2026-27 school year is sponsored by Brian Ramsey and TLD Law.
There’ll be plenty of pride along with a playoff spot on the line on Friday night as the Wilson Bruins (2-7, 1-2) host the Millikan Rams (2-7, 2-1) in the pair’s regular season finale. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Millikan is looking for revenge after falling to Wilson last year for the first time since 2020, while also controlling its own playoff destiny. A win would clinch second place in the Moore League and one of two guaranteed playoff spots, while a Wilson win would create a three-way tie with Millikan and Lakewood, prompting a random envelope draw to determine second place.
Those three teams have provided some of the closest Moore League matchups this season, perhaps offering a preview of Friday night’s showdown between Wilson and Millikan. If those results are any indication, Millikan narrowly defeated Lakewood 32-28, while the Lancers edged Wilson 21-14.
Millikan enters the matchup ranked No. 113 in the CIF Southern Section, while Wilson sits a few dozen spots back at No. 146. The Rams are coming off a tough 42-0 loss to Long Beach Poly, while Wilson has had a bye week to prepare for Friday night following its loss to Lakewood.
The Rams are looking to restart their offense come Friday night after a difficult week against a daunting Poly defense. Sophomore quarterback Jonah Tuaniga has started four games this season and is averaging nearly 165 yards per game with just four total touchdowns and a pair of interceptions.
Millikan receiver Jay Williams leads the passing attack with 56 receiving yards per game and two touchdowns, but the Rams will likely lean on their ground game behind senior running back Ryan Carter, who averages nearly 95 yards per game with a pair of scores. That ground game could pose problems for Wilson, which allowed 135 rushing yards and three touchdowns against Lakewood.
Up front, Wilson will counter with a defensive line led by Deandre Parks and Ashton Stokes, who each have two sacks this season. Linebackers Kingston Meyer and Dylan Sula have combined for 160 tackles, while junior Jemel Grigsby leads the team with two interceptions.
Offensively, Wilson struggled through the air against Lakewood but had a stellar night on the ground, led by Jemel Grigsby’s 124 yards on 15 carries. The Bruins will also welcome back fellow junior playmaker Kyle Harris, who missed that game with an injury.
Wilson has split the quarterback workload between senior Logan Trafas and sophomore Jacob Powell. Trafas played the majority of the Bruins’ last game and is averaging just over 80 yards per game with eight touchdowns and six interceptions, while Powell offers a different look with his bigger frame. Wilson has also utilized packages featuring both quarterbacks.
Millikan’s defensive line has been its strongest unit, led by Jesse Laumasima’s three sacks and six tackles for loss this season. Aden Taufa, Matteo Palma and defensive lineman Toloai Toloai have all recorded interceptions this season.
Following Friday’s regular-season finale, the CIF-SS playoff brackets will be released Sunday at 10 a.m. With a Wilson win, an envelope drawing will take place immediately after the game to determine which of the three teams (Wilson, Millikan or Lakewood) receives the Moore League’s second automatic playoff bid.
