Millikan has `no fear at all ' of rival Poly
LONG BEACH ❯❯ If the past 13 years are any indication of future results, then the Poly football team should be able to easily handle Millikan in the Moore League's de facto championship game tonight at Veterans Stadium.
However, Millikan coach Romeo Pellum believes his team can pull off the upset victory over Poly, which would be the Rams' first since 2009.
“There is no fear at all,” Pellum said. “What is there to fear? And the kids will tell you, this is another game for us. We're going to strap our cleats up like they strap their cleats up. It's not, `Oh we're playing this.' It's not that. These kids are ready to go to war.”
Millikan's best showing against Poly recently was a 42-28 loss at Veterans Stadium in 2021. In 2022, Millikan suffered a 42-0 loss at home to Poly. The Jackrabbits ran for 335 yards and six touchdowns in that game.
The Rams have been held scoreless six times during their current 13-game losing streak against the league's perennial powerhouse. “It's Poly, but it's a regular week for us,” Pellum said. “We feel like every week is a big week and an opportunity for us to go 1-0 and that's the same thing this week.”
CalPreps projects that Poly (4-1, 1-0) will beat Millikan (4-2, 2-0) by a score of 48-21 and has a 96% chance of winning. Poly is ranked No. 5 in the CIF Southern
Section this week by CalPreps, and Millikan is No. 27.
Pellum said he believes his players have the makeup of a championship team and he's not afraid to let his players know that.
“These guys really click well together and they do a good job,” Pellum said. “They do a lot of the right things. When we're clicking, we're really good. But when we're off, we're off, so I think if we can click and continue to get better like we are we can be a really good team. But it's more than just on the field. It's about the classroom and the weight room.”
Pellum said how well Millikan's defense plays against Poly's offense will ultimately be paramount to his team's success.
“If you look at the past and look at Poly, Poly always puts up points. Poly's always able to run the ball, traditionally they've done a good job and coach (Stephen) Barbee has been doing a really good job over there. Darius (Curry, Colorado State commit) at quarterback, I think he's the best quarterback around,” Pellum said. “If we can stop them, I think we have a chance. If we can't stop them, it's going to be a long night.”
Millikan junior quarterback JP Mialovski has settled into running the team's high-powered offense, which is relying more on running backs Kyle Parker and Xavier Jones this season, while still featuring receivers like Ryan Pellum (USC commit), Loyall Mouzon and Charlie Broughton.
“When (JP) really knows the offense inside and out, it's going to be scary,” Pellum said. “He's gotten a lot better from the first game and I think he's in a position to help us win this Friday.”
PRESSTELEGRAM.COM/SPORTS.