(East Los Angeles & Northeast Los Angeles)[From The Editor’s Desk]: The Wilson “Mighty Mules” treated their student body, player families, alumni, and community supporters to an explosive, fast, furious, and historic record-setting performance on “Homecoming” night against their Northern League neighbor and rival, the Lincoln Tigers. Believe it or not, the final score was Wilson 91, Lincoln 62.
[Note From The Editor]: It’s not very often that a sports production team covering an event finds itself in what results in a potential record-breaking event. But right after the final bell or buzzer of that event takes place, it’s time to start the formal statistical review. During our post-game editing process, our video technical editor discovered a scoring error in Wilson’s final point tabulation. Our review showed that the final score should have been recorded as (91-62), and not (93-62), as initially reported. (See our stat line of individual and team scoring at the end of this write-up).
It was an important league match-up for both schools, as they played for a good seed in the upcoming L.A. City Section Divisional playoffs. The Mules came in with an overall record of (6-2) and a (3-1) record in League play, while their opponents came in with an overall record of (3-5) and (0-3) in League. The game was one for the record books because of the (153) total points scored. It will certainly be a most memorable night for the players, coaches, and fans who were in attendance due to the offensive and defensive fireworks that were displayed throughout the 3-hour and 30-minute contest.
GAME SUMMARY
[1st Qtr]: The Tigers scored on their first possession at the (10:27) mark, when WR/QB #12 Andrew Perez scored on a dive from the 2 yard line. On the ensuing kick-off, Wilson mounted their first scoring drive via their dangerous “Air Attack” mixed in with their running game. At the (8:30) mark, they scored on a 45-yard. pass play when an uncovered #1/WR/SR/Jacob Holguin hauled it in for six. #5/WR/(C)/SR/Isaiah Abdullah then scored his first of a game-high nine (2) point conversions. The period ended in an (8-7) score.
[2nd Qtr]: Here’s where the Mules’ extra firepower began to show itself. They put up three consecutive touchdowns by #1 WR/SR/Jacob Holguin, the first coming on a 25-yard. pass from #19 QB/SO/Julian Hernandez, next came a 51-yard run, and then an 85-yard punt return. Breaking that string was another TD pass thrown to #13/WR/SO Deanthony Jackson. Holguin then added his fourth TD of the stanza just before halftime on a dazzling 40-yard. run.
[HALFTIME SCORE]: Wilson 48 Lincoln 14
[3rd Qtr]: This quarter started the Tigers’ comeback as they scored on three consecutive possessions. The first came from #22/RB/Freshman/Andre Watkins, on a 35 yd. run. Next, a 35 yard pass from #11/QB/SR/Geo Suarez to #12/SR/WR/Andrew Perez. Then with (4:55) left in the period, Watkins followed his blockers and swept in from 50 yards out for the Tiger’s third TD. Their fourth score came several minutes on a Suarez, 20-yard blind bootleg scamper over left end. Their last score came on a 13 yd. pass at the (1:46) mark, from Suarez to #7/WR/SR Kevin Moreno, pushing their score quickly upward to 48. The Tigers made 4 out of 5 PATS in the period.
On the Wilson side of the quarter, reserve #16/QB/SO Matthew Moreno went deep to #17/WR/JR/Richard Haro for a 55-yard. quick-strike score to start things off. Jacob Holguin then electrified the Homecoming crowd with yet another big play, this time on a 92 yd. kick-off return. On their next possession, Holguin then ran a deep post route and was spotted ahead of his defenders by Hernandez near the Tigers’ 2-yard line for the completion. He then walked in for the score, completing a 45-yard TD bomb by Hernandez who had been re-inserted into the game. This ended the period’s scoring for the Mules. The score at this point was Wilson, 61 Lincoln 48.
[Of Significance]: Unfortunately, Jacob Holguin would be forced to leave the field due to a shoulder injury he sustained while being tackled after a catch. He did not return to the game.
[4th Qtr]: The Tigers scored first on a 20-yard pass from Suarez to #24/WR/SR/Arturo Villaneda, moving the score to (67-55). But at the (6:00) minute mark, the Mules answered right back with a 50-yard air-strike to #5 Abdullah from #19 Hernandez. Then, on the kick-off, the Tigers’ #7/WR/Kevin Moreno took the kick at his 15-yard line and returned it for a TD. The PAT was good. The score was now, (75-62). And suddenly, the tide appeared to be turning in the Tigers’ favor. However, with (3:03) left in the game, #13 Deanthony Jackson caught a 25-yard TD pass from Julian Hernandez giving them some more breathing room. And to top off the scoring, with just (2:24) remaining in the game, and the Tigers in possession, they fumbled deep in their own territory, and once again #13 DE/Jackson was right there to pick up the loose ball on a bounce and then promptly rumbled into the end zone.
[FINAL SCORE]: Wilson 91, Lincoln 62
[Individual/Team Scoring]: Touchdowns: 12=72 points; Holguin (7 ); Jackson (3) Abdullah (1); Haro (1 ); 2 Pt. Conversions; Abdullah 9=18 points; PAT: 1=1 point #22 K/JR/Anahi Garcia
