The 2026 campaign for the Wilson football program kicks off on Friday night, when the team travels to Ron Yary Stadium at Bellflower High School to face Mayfair at 7 p.m. The matchup marks the first test for a squad that is eager to translate its offseason work into a tangible start.
A Reunion on the Field
At the helm, head coach Raudric Curtis steps onto the sideline for his second year with Wilson, confronting a familiar set of mentors. He will square off against Mayfair’s head coach Derek Bedell and defensive coordinator Mark Ziegenhagen, a trio that shares a past with Curtis from his tenure as associate head coach and assistant defensive coordinator during Mayfair’s 2024 CIF‑SS championship run.
Wilson’s offensive identity is being reshaped around sophomore quarterback Logan Trafas, whose dual‑threat skill set is expected to anchor a revamped rushing attack. The ground game will be bolstered by a veteran offensive line and three‑star running back Jemel Grigsby, while playmakers Kyle Harris and Brooklyn Vega add speed and reliable hands to the passing equation.
Defensively, the team leans on seasoned stalwarts Dylan Sula and Kingston Meyer, who will anchor the line and linebacker corps. Their experience is complemented by several two‑way players who will see action at both defensive line and secondary positions, aiming to disrupt Mayfair’s balanced attack.
Mayfair arrives with a 4‑7 overall record from the previous season, having finished 4‑1 in the Gateway League before bowing out in the first round of the CIF‑SS Division 7 playoffs. The team’s reputation for sportsmanship and competitive fire provides a stern test for Wilson’s newly forged schemes.
The reunion also carries a narrative weight that extends beyond the field. Wilson’s 2025 Division 4 campaign ended with a loss to Paraclete, a setback that fuels the current drive to prove the program’s progress. For Curtis, the game is as much about personal legacy as it is about his club’s future.