The Wilson Bruins wrapped up their Moore League schedule with a 35-12 loss to Millikan on Friday. The defeat marked the end of the season for Wilson and for a handful of seniors was their last high school football game.
Although the score didn’t reflect it, the Bruins battled through most of the game, playing strong defense forcing multiple turnovers,including two interceptions. Wilson’s defense was led by senior Cordae Jones who has been a staple of this unit since he came to Wilson.
“It’s a tough way to go out,” Jones said, “But I couldn’t have asked for any other way to just go out with the people I love, and just giving it my all on the field.”
Despite the disappointing season for Wilson, the players never gave up in any of their games even with a playoff berth out of the picture. Both Jones and senior offensive linemen Bobby Mooney had the same answer when asked what they played for in their last game.
“Pride honestly,” Jones said, “To go out there to show them that we’re not a 1-7 team. We’ve put in the work and our record doesn’t reflect us. We come out there with heart every day and we just wanted to show that.”
Despite the season not going the way they wanted, the Bruin’s underclassmen heavy squad has the senior class stoked for the team's future.
“We got a lot of young guys on this team,” Mooney said, “And they’re definitely going to be good in the next coming years for sure.We’re definitely short on seniors, but they’ll be good for sure.”
Cordae and Mooney both expressed their appreciation for what the team has done for them and their fellow seniors and the lasting effect it'll have on them.
“Football is family for me,” Jones said, “Just about finding people that I love and that’s what the game is for me”
“I’ve definitely learned a lot in a short amount of time,” Mooney said, “I’ve only been here for one year but I’ve loved the experience.”
In a season of lows, the team's bond kept them together and for the departing seniors, it’s what they’ll cherish and miss the most.
“I’ll miss the family,” Jones said, “it's not the same in other sports as football, the brotherhood.”
No scoreboard or record can take away the bond that this Wilson senior class has, and the memories they made on their journey to where they are now will be what they remember most from their high school football careers.
