The Wilson football program is making its fifth consecutive postseason appearance tonight at 7 as the Bruins visit Mira Costa for the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 6 playoffs.
After a pair of lopsided losses to start the season, Wilson (6-4) reinvented itself to finish third in the Moore League with a strong rushing attack and a stingy defense.
“Practice has been good and loose for us because the last few weeks have been playoff atmospheres anyways,” said Wilson coach Mark Ziegenhagen.
Wilson has scored over 35 points in its last three wins thanks to efficient passing from quarterback Ryan Pettway, and strong rushing from running back Marcos Nottingham.
Pettway has 15 touchdowns and four interceptions while throwing for 1,554 yards. The junior is completing almost 60 percent of his passes. Nottingham has rushed for over 600 yards and eight touchdowns in his last four games while averaging eight yards per carry.
READ MORE about how Nottingham overcame adversity to become an elite athlete.
Mira Costa (6-4) is on a four-game winning streak that earned the Mustangs a second place finish in the Bay League. Ziegenhagen said they remind him of other Orange County teams he’s faced in the past.
“Not a lot of speed or size, but they’re disciplined and well-coached,” he said. “Our game plan is to contain their quarterback.”
Mira Costa senior Nick Carpino has passed for 1,640 yards in eight games (234.3 avg.) with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also has four rushing touchdowns.
“Our speed will help us, and we have to be mistake free,” Ziegenhagen said.
Come back for LIVE score updates from all of the Long Beach football games tonight.
