Stadium renovations, fresh coaching lineups, heightened ambitions marked at Moore League media day
In the heart of Compton, a new era of education and athletics has begun. The city's high school has been transformed with a stunning $225-million, 31-acre campus, complete with state-of-the-art facilities that are set to inspire a new generation of students.
The new campus, spanning 223,650 square feet, houses a 36,000-square-foot gym and a nearly 41,000-square-foot Performing Arts Center. Principal Larry Natividad deemed the new campus more than just a building; it symbolizes the strength and potential of Compton's community. The updated facilities have already sparked increased student engagement and a renewed sense of belonging and hope among students and educators.
Football and athletics remain a vital part of campus life, as indicated by upcoming events such as WLAC football competing against Compton in 2025. The new campus, including its modern stadium, is part of a comprehensive campus redevelopment aimed at supporting both academic and athletic development.
Sama'Jay Jackson, a 6-4 junior quarterback from Jordan, is making a comeback to football after giving it up in 2020 due to the pandemic. Known for his speed, having run a 4.6-seconds 40-yard dash, Jackson is set to make a significant impact on the field.
Meanwhile, in the Moore League, five of the seven head coaches are Black, including Raudric Curtis, who has vowed that Long Beach Wilson will no longer take a back seat. Curtis, who played at Pomona-Pitzer and was a former head coach at Bellflower, as well as an assistant at Mayfair, is joined by Alfred Rowe, Mario Morales, Justin Utupo, Malcolm Manuel, Romeo Pellum, and Calvin Bryant, each leading their respective schools.
Notable players to watch include Jude Nelson, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound tight end from Long Beach Millikan, Tiwan Jones, a three-year starter in the secondary for Lakewood, and Donte Wright Jr., a cornerback from Poly, who has committed to Georgia. Anthony Rodriguez, a lineman from Poly, has spent the offseason in the weight room and is now 6-5, 280 pounds, down 20 pounds from last season, and has committed to UC Davis.
As the new season approaches, Long Beach Jordan is set to open its new stadium next week, while Millikan is opening its season next weekend in Nevada, playing Foothill in Henderson. Deuce Jefferson, a quarterback from Poly, is a Weber State commit, and Jaden Hernandez, a tight end from Poly, has committed to Colorado State. The Compton team could be one of the most improved this season after adding All-City running back Edward Rivera from South East.
The new coaches have promised to lead their programs to success through passion and determination. With the transformative new campus and the promising talent on the field, the Moore League is gearing up for an exciting season ahead.
- The stunning $225-million campus in Compton houses a 36,000-square-foot gym for sports activities, including football.
- Sama'Jay Jackson, a 6-4 junior quarterback from Jordan, is returning to sports, specifically American football, after a hiatus caused by the pandemic.
- In the Moore League, a majority of head coaches are Black, notably Raudric Curtis, who aims to make Long Beach Wilson less overshadowed in athletics.
- Notable players to watch in the upcoming season include Jude Nelson from Long Beach Millikan, who plays as a tight end, and Donte Wright Jr., a cornerback from Poly, who has committed to Georgia.
- The new campus in Compton, featuring a modern stadium, is eagerly anticipated for the upcoming NFL season, with teams like Long Beach Jordan and Long Beach Millikan preparing for their games.
