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topicnews · October 26, 2024

Millikan secures historic Moore League title with win over Compton – The562.org

Millikan secures historic Moore League title with win over Compton – The562.org

The562’s football coverage in 2024-25 is sponsored by The Terry Donahue Memorial California Showcase.

The last time the Millikan Rams stood alone at the top of the Moore League, Richard Nixon was in the White House and U.S. troops were still fighting in Vietnam.

After Friday night’s 51-0 win over Compton at Homecoming, it’s time to update the record books. Rams head coach Romeo Pellum held up the Moore League trophy after the game, securing his team’s second overall championship and first since 1973.

“I’m definitely proud of this team,” Pellum said after the win. “From the coaches to the players, the managers to the support staff, they are all doing a great job. Our administration is very supportive, our athletic director is very supportive. It took a full team effort to get to where we are now. That was great, but now it’s over. Our next goal is to do something different. I’ll live in it for tonight now, but after that no one will care anymore. What have you done for me lately? Now it’s time for us to get back to 1-0 every week and see where we go.”

The Rams started fast and won the game with explosive offense, scoring 51 points in just 18 plays. Their running back tandem from Anthony League and

Jones, in particular, was a major threat as he rushed for 138 yards on just three touches, broke off TD runs of 60 and 48 yards, and had a 30-yard catch.

“It feels great,” Jones said of the team’s performance. “I’m just playing on the field with my brothers like I always do. It actually felt like a normal exercise where we were just honing our craft and making sure we were prepared for the playoffs.”

League also made personal history with his performance, setting a new single-season rushing yards record for the Rams, according to the Millikan coaching staff. The probable Moore League Player of the Year totaled 171 yards on six touches, broke off a 63-yard catch-and-run TD on the third play of the night and then went 84 yards on the ground on Millikan’s first play of the second Halftime to 39:0.

Millikan’s one-two punch in the backfield has been her calling card this season, and Jones is loving the chance to rub shoulders with League as both guys continue to put up numbers.

“It was extremely fun, especially playing with a person like League,” Jones said. “He knows a lot. He’s a really smart player, so I learned a lot from him. Me and him just go at each other. If one of us is tired or hot, just leave it in. If you get tired, you get tired, but I say if you get screwed, get out.”

Millikan made sure defenders couldn’t track them down as they threw for several long touchdowns, with six of their scores coming from 40+ yards and four from 60+ yards.

The shortest touchdown of the night went to one of the biggest guys on the field, as offensive lineman Jessie Wishon scored an inning from two yards out, scoring his first career touchdown for the Rams. Wishon was a four-year starter up front and played in all but one game for Millikan during his career, logging 44 games and counting, perhaps the most in program history.

JP Mialovski connected with Jude Nelson for a 69-yard TD toss in the second quarter, giving him two touchdown throws on the night. In the fourth quarter, backup quarterback Elijah Quinonez connected with Diamond Graham for a 46-yard TD toss to end the scoring.

Compton struggled all night but had trouble moving the ball after the first quarter. Their first drive of the night was a 10-plus minute march into Millikan territory with 12 consecutive run plays. Running back Nate Willard led the way with 18 carries for 55 yards and QB Diontae Dill ran 15 times for 34 yards.

But Friday’s game was about the new era for Millikan football and the program being in a state it hasn’t been in decades. They shared the Moore League title in 1985 but have not made it to the top spot since. With that in mind, the Millikan community has been filled with excitement over the past three weeks, experiencing a big win over Poly, a rivalry win over Lakewood and now the conclusion of an undefeated league season – with commemorative t-shirts to mark the occasion.

“They’re just excited, man,” Pellum said of the community’s reaction in recent weeks. “Some people say they wish DeHaven was still alive and some of the older people were still here to see where the program is now. And finally here’s a coach who’s doing it right and putting Millikan on the map, and they’re just thrilled. You know, I love this community. I love this city. I’m a Long Beach guy through and through and that’s why I do it.”

Compton has one more game on the schedule as Poly will host Dominguez next Friday night. Meanwhile, Millikan gets the bye next week as they prepare for the playoffs.

Then the dream season continues for Pellum and the Rams and continues a special season for the entire Pellum family. With his younger brother, Ryan, playing on the best team in college football, and his son, Malachi, making it through the junior ranks, there’s a constant joy in the Pellum group chat.

“It was crazy a few weeks ago. We beat Poly, Oregon beat Ohio State and Malachi made a mistake in his game. “It was a good weekend being a Pellum,” Romeo said. “Hopefully we have many more weekends like this.”

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