{"id":43957,"date":"2025-11-08T09:02:24","date_gmt":"2025-11-08T09:02:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/43957\/"},"modified":"2025-11-08T09:02:24","modified_gmt":"2025-11-08T09:02:24","slug":"long-beach-wilson-football-falls-to-paraclete-in-ot-thriller-in-playoffs-daily-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/43957\/","title":{"rendered":"Long Beach Wilson football falls to Paraclete in OT thriller in playoffs \u2013 Daily News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Wilson\u2019s<\/p>\n

Wilson\u2019s Brooklyn Vega gets the catch in the end zone for a Bruin two-point conversion in Long Beach , CA, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Paraclete\u2019s<\/p>\n

Paraclete\u2019s Joseph Mesa (2) tries to break free from Wilson\u2019s Zachariah Salcedo (52) in Long Beach , CA, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Paraclete\u2019s<\/p>\n

Paraclete\u2019s Savaughn Gentle (10) just misses the pass as Wilson\u2019s Jemel Grigsby (10) is ready to take him down in Long Beach , CA, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Wilson\u2019s<\/p>\n

Wilson\u2019s Kori Scott (21) tries to push away Paraclete\u2019s Darren Coleman (1) in Long Beach , CA, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Wilson\u2019s<\/p>\n

Wilson\u2019s Jemel Grigsby (10) tries to break free from Paraclete\u2019s Zachary Iskyian (33) in Long Beach , CA, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Wilson\u2019s<\/p>\n

Wilson\u2019s Dylan Sula (33) and Thomas Jones (1) end the season with a handshake as the Bruins fall to Paraclete in Long Beach , CA, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Paraclete\u2019s<\/p>\n

Paraclete\u2019s Kyle Fulton Jr (8) tries to get past Wilson\u2019s Dylan Sula (33) as the two teams battle it out in Long Beach , CA, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Wilson\u2019s<\/p>\n

Wilson\u2019s Kyle Harris (6) tries to push off Paraclete\u2019s defense in Long Beach , CA, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Wilson\u2019s<\/p>\n

Wilson\u2019s Thomas Jones (1) tries to break free from Paraclete\u2019s defense in Long Beach , CA, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Paraclete\u2019s<\/p>\n

Paraclete\u2019s Kyle Fulton Jr. (8) races through Wilsons Brandon Cruz (2) and Jayson Pimentel (45) in Long Beach , CA, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Paraclete\u2019s<\/p>\n

Paraclete\u2019s Kyle Fulton Jr. (8) tries to break away from Wilson\u2019s Branden Cruz (2) and Jemel Grigsby (10) in Long Beach , CA, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Wilson\u2019s<\/p>\n

Wilson\u2019s Kori Scott (21) looks to get past Paraclete\u2019s Dylan Larsen (9) in Long Beach , CA, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Wilson\u2019s<\/p>\n

Wilson\u2019s quarterback Mack Cooper (15) looks for an open teammate as the Bruins take on Paraclete in Long Beach , CA, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Wilson\u2019s<\/p>\n

Wilson\u2019s Kori Scott (21) twist his way out of the pack as the Bruins take on Paraclete in Long Beach , CA, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Wilson\u2019<\/p>\n

Wilson\u2019 Jagger Kohagura (9) tries to stop Paraclete\u2019s Adrian Jones (7) in Long Beach , CA, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Wilson\u2019s<\/p>\n

Wilson\u2019s Kori Scott (21) races the ball down the field as the Bruins take on Paraclete in Long Beach , CA, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 16<\/p>\n

Wilson\u2019s Brooklyn Vega gets the catch in the end zone for a Bruin two-point conversion in Long Beach , CA, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

LONG BEACH \u2014 It took more than four quarters of football to determine who was going to advance to the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division 4 playoffs.<\/p>\n

With the game tied at 48 all, Long Beach Wilson, who had rallied and tied it twice in the fourth quarter after 14-point deficit in the second half, got the ball first in overtime. The Bruins started the drive with a six-yard run, followed by three incompletions and turned it over on downs at the Paraclete 19.<\/p>\n

Wilson\u2019s defense forced a four-yard loss on Paraclete\u2019s first play in overtime. However, Paraclete senior quarterback Joseph Mesa dropped back and threw a 29-yard game-winning touchdown pass to to senior receiver Savaughn Gentle to secure a 54-48 road win in overtime against Long Beach Wilson in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 4 playoffs Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey never gave up in this game,\u201d Long Beach Wilson first-year coach Raudric Curtis said. \u201cIt could have went either way at the end like you said. We didn\u2019t get that drive. We had a couple of mistakes that cost us that big moment but we were right in the fight and that\u2019s what I want them to remember.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paraclete, the Angelus League co-champion, was led by Mesa, who completed 28 of 38 passes for 446 yards, seven touchdown and one interception, including a 47-yard Hail Mary touchdown to Gentle as time expired in the first half. The game-changing play put Paraclete up 41-27 at halftime.<\/p>\n

Paraclete improved to 9-2 overall and will host Oaks Christian (5-6) in the quarterfinals on Nov. 14.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a balanced offense,\u201d Paraclete first-year coach Erick Jackson said. \u201cWe have a running back that ran for over 1,200 yards. He\u2019s a dog. Kyle Fulton is the truth but my quarterback (Joseph Mesa) can slang it and Adrian Jones is just flat out special.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wilson was led by senior running back Kori Scott with 174 rushing yards, three touchdowns on 18 carries, including his 54-yard run, which tied the game at 48 all with 1:53 left in the fourth quarter. \u00a0Senior quarterback Mack Cooper completed 11 of 20 passes for 170 yards two touchdowns and one interception.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had to come prove something,\u201d Scott said. \u201cEven though we might not have won, we proved ourselves. People looked down on us. You can\u2019t do that with a team like us.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Bruins, who won an outright Moore League championship for the first time since 1991, finished the season 9-2. They moved up to Division 4 after losing in the Division 9 final last season.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it was a very amazing season,\u201d Scott continued. \u201cWe proved a lot of people wrong and we made history. Something a lot of people can\u2019t do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wilson sophomore sophomore running back Jemel Grigsby\u2019s 3-yard touchdown run made it 41-39 with 5:19 left in the fourth quarter. The Bruins tied the game at 41 on a 2-point conversion catch by junior receiver Brooklyn Vega on his 17th birthday.<\/p>\n

Paraclete responded with 28-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Mesa to senior receiver Adrian Jones, who finished with a game-high eight receptions for 184 yards and three touchdowns. The Spirits led 48-41 with 3:39 to go.<\/p>\n

Wilson answered with Scott\u2019s 54-yard touchdown run, to pull within 48-47 with 1:53 to go. The Bruins nearly went for 2 to go-ahead for good but after two penalties, they made a PAT, and tied the game at 48.<\/p>\n

\u201cKori is a leader,\u201d Curtis continued. \u201cHe\u2019s a tried and true football player. He\u2019s one of those old-school rugged running backs but he has breakaway speed. He can open it up too. He\u2019s really flying under the radar.\u201d<\/p>\n

The teams combined for 68 points and 554 yards of total offense in the first half, as Paraclete scored touchdowns on the team\u2019s first six possessions, including a Hail Mary touchdown before halftime.<\/p>\n

Gentle, who finished with six catches for 135 yards and three touchdowns, intercepted a Wilson pass in the end zone early in the third quarter, to keep the Spirits in control.<\/p>\n

Wilson answered back with senior running back Scott\u2019s 6-yard touchdown run. The PAT was no good. Paraclete led 41-33 with 3:52 left in the third quarter.<\/p>\n

Bruins senior defensive back Andrew Piggue II\u2019s interception in the end zone kept Paraclete off the scoreboard late in the third.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Wilson stopped Paraclete on a fourth-and-1 from midfield and got the ball back at the 45 with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter and later tied the game at 41 and 48 all.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are a family program,\u201d Curtis explained. \u201cWe are Wilson. It is the age of Wilson and though Paraclete got us today, this program is here to stay for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paraclete began the game with an explosive 48-yard kick return by junior Jaivyn Nelson to the Wilson 48. Mesa took advantage of short field with a three-play scoring drive, capped off with a 33-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Jeffrey Patino. The PAT was no good. Paraclete led 6-0 with 10:34 left in the first quarter.<\/p>\n

The Spirits kept up the pressure and extended their to 12-0 on Mesa\u2019s 54-yard touchdown pass to Jones. The 2-point conversion was no good. Paraclete led 12-0 with 6:16 left in the first.<\/p>\n

Wilson responded with senior quarterback Cooper\u2019s 41-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Thomas Jones with 6:03 left in the first quarter. It was a one-play scoring drive. Paraclete led 12-7.<\/p>\n

Mesa answered with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Gentle. The 2-point conversion was good. Paraclete led 20-7 with 11 seconds left in the first.<\/p>\n

Wilson answered with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Cooper to sophomore Kyle Harris. It was a two-play scoring drive started off by Scott\u2019s 28-yard run. Paraclete led 20-14 with 11:51 left in the second quarter.<\/p>\n

On fourth-and-8 from the Wilson 11, Mesa scrambled out of a sack and threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jones in the corner of the end zone. The 2-point conversion was no good. Paraclete led 26-14 with 5:54 left in the second.<\/p>\n

Wilson responded with a 1-yard touchdown run by Grigsby. The PAT was no good. Paraclete led 26-20 with 2:49 left in the second.<\/p>\n

Paraclete sophomore running Kyle Fulton Jr.\u2019s 1-yard touchdown run made it 32-20. Spirits junior kicker Oscar Rivas\u2019 fake PAT pass was good for 2. Paraclete led 34-20 with 1:16 to go in the first half.<\/p>\n

Wilson\u2019s offense would not be denied as Scott\u2019s 6-yard touchdown run made it 34-27 with 20 seconds to go before halftime.<\/p>\n

POSTGAME: Long Beach Wilson coach Raudric Curtis and 2026 running back Kori Scott both said they were proud of Wilson\u2019s historic season. <\/p>\n

The Bruins lost 54-48 in the 1st round of the Division 4 playoffs vs. Paraclete.<\/p>\n

Coach Curtis said Wilson is here to stay for a long time. pic.twitter.com\/t1nTt3LNLz<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) November 8, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

MUST SEE VIDEO: Paraclete football ends the first half with a Hail Mary touchdown.<\/p>\n

Halftime: Paraclete 41, Long Beach Wilson 27 in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 4 playoffs.<\/p>\n

Paraclete 2026 QB Joseph Mesa has completed 13 of 16 passes for 277 yards and five touchdowns.\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/BpVV1rZbFl<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) November 8, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Paraclete football first year head coach Erick Jackson before his team\u2019s CIF-SS Division 4 playoff opener on the road at Long Beach Wilson. pic.twitter.com\/u2v201D7VH<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) November 8, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

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