Wilson Wins Another League Title, 31-14

Going into Friday’s football game between Hacienda Heights Wilson and Los Altos, the teams knew that no matter the outcome, both were assured a shot in the postseason. The only question was: Which one was going in as the league champion?

In a matchup that featured two teams with unbeaten records in the Miramonte League, only Wilson came out unblemished as the Wildcats (9-1 overall, 5-0 in league) defeated Los Altos (6-3-1, 3-1-1), 31-14, to win the league title for the second consecutive year in front of 5,500 at Wilson.

With the victory, Wilson puts itself in great position to repeat as Division VI champions. The Wildcats probably will be the top-seeded team in the playoffs. The victory also extended the Wildcats’ 25-game on-field winning streak. Wilson had to forfeit a victory earlier in the season over Rowland after playing with an ineligible player for its only loss in the last two seasons.

“The way we see it, we haven’t lost in 30 weeks,” senior running back Percy Arceneaux said. “We beat Rowland on the field and that’s all that counts. We don’t even count that loss.”

It was big plays by Arceneaux that broke the game open for Wilson. Arceneaux ran a sweep along the left sideline for a 71-yard touchdown to give Wilson a 7-0 lead with 7:53 left in the first quarter.

Los Altos’ defense then stiffened.

After holding Wilson to three plays and out on two consecutive drives, Los Altos got on the board. Sean Forge’s 43-yard punt return to the Wilson 25-yard line put Los Altos in good field position for a chance to pull even. After moving 10 yards in the opposite direction Los Altos settled for three points. Brian Biang kicked a 45-yard field goal, cutting Wilson’s lead to 7-3.

Like Los Altos, Wilson couldn’t take advantage of a good kick return by its special teams. On the ensuing kickoff, Wilson’s Kentrell Williams returned the ball to the Los Altos 47, setting up Richard Gonzalez’s 33-yard field goal.

Wilson held on to its seven-point lead until Arceneaux made his second big touchdown run of the night--a 43-yarder with 2:04 left before halftime to give Wilson a 17-3 lead.

Los Altos’ only real threat of staying in the game came with less than six minutes left in the third quarter, but Wilson’s Kasem Adoure and Jeremy Drake stuffed an inside handoff on a fourth and one. Wilson then marched down the field, Arceneaux scoring his third touchdown from five yards out to put the game away.

“Our first goal is to win league and hopefully go undefeated,” Coach Dave Merrill said. “After winning [league] last season, I knew everyone was going to shoot for us. So, to win it against our cross-town rival, I feel we did one heck of a job tonight.”