Jack and Max Williford leading Wilson into playoffs

When Jack and Max Williford were growing up, the brothers used to play wiffle ball in the front yard of their Long Beach home.

Older brother Jack was the pitcher, trying to strike out all the neighborhood kids who had come by for a summer afteoon game. Younger brother Max was the perfect complement to his brother, crouching into an imitation of a catcher’s stance behind the plate.

Neighbors driving by might have smiled and waved, enjoying a scene taken straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Little did they know that they were getting a preview of some of 2016’s best high school baseball, as the brothers have helped the Wilson Bruins charge into the playoffs after a second-place finish in the Moore League, with a road game at Oaks Christian on Friday.

Jack has been one of the city’s most consistent pitchers, and in the second round of the Moore League, the senior picked up wins over Lakewood, Millikan and Poly to lead the Bruins to a perfect 6-0 half. Jack also hits fourth in the lineup — his little brother Max, a sophomore, not only catches for Jack, but also hits before him in the lineup, batting third.

“Max and I have been on Little League teams together, and now this year at Wilson,” says Jack. “Personally, I love it — we have great chemistry, it’s pretty special to share this year with him.”

The duo aren’t the only Willifords who terrorized the Moore League — their younger brother Chad plays lower-level ball for Wilson, and actually pitched the Bruins to a win over Poly the day before Jack did the same at Blair Field.

For Wilson coach Andy Hall, the more Willifords the better — not just because they’re good players, but because of their natural chemistry.

“With those three boys there has never been a situation where there was sibling rivalry or jealousy,” said Hall. “They get along so well it’s fun to watch and to be a part of.”

Some of the closeness between the brothers is literal — they all share a bedroom, which means any disagreements have to be sorted out quickly. Although they may not be young kids anymore, their camaraderie is still inspiring Rockwell-esque nostalgia in those who watch them play together, including their coach.

“When Jack struck out the last batters in the sixth and seventh iing against Millikan, Max was pumping his fist and ruing up to give his brother a hug,” said Hall. “It’s so sweet, it really is.”

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Of course, the fact that the Williford brothers get along so well doesn’t mean they take it easy on each other. In fact, quite the opposite, as both Jack and Max attribute their success this year at least in part to the way they push each other.

“I love that about playing with him,” said Max. “He motivates me to be better and I motivate him.”

The Williford brothers are not the first members of their family to make their names in the local sports scene. Both of their uncles played football and baseball at Wilson, and their mother and aunt both swam for the school. Their grandfather, Bob Parkin, was a starter on one of the most famous high school football teams in Long Beach-area history, the St. Anthony CIF champions in 1948.

It wasn’t the plan for Jack to be the big starter for Wilson this year — it was supposed to be UCLA commit Zach Pettway, who has been prevented from taking the mound this year by an elbow injury.

“When Zach went down I had to step up as a leader,” said Williford. “I’ve always been ready for it, I’ve always wanted to throw those big games ever since freshman year.”

Hall has certainly been impressed with the way Jack has stepped up.

“He said he was ready and he wanted to do it — he’s taken it really serious and he’s our horse, we’ve been riding him,” said Hall.