The St. Anthony at Millikan football game on Friday night wasn’t close on the scoreboard late in the game but there were plenty of antics by both sides in what could become a new rivalry.
Referees didn’t eject any coaches or players but issued two unsportsmanlike penalties to the Rams after an exchange between a St. Anthony assistant coach and two Millikan players.
In the postgame handshake after the Rams beat the Saints, 47-8, to win their first game of the season, coaches from both sides had to be separated.
“Guys are going to talk and we need to clean it up,” Rams coach Romeo Pellum said.
After allowing 48 points in back-to-back losses to Santa Ana and Carlsbad, the Rams defense hunkered down against the Saints and held them to -32 total yards in the first quarter and gave up only one play of 10 or more yards.
“They stepped it up and stopped the run,” Pellum said.
Millikan (1-2) sophomore quarterback Myles Jackson started the game strong with three touchdowns (two passing and one rushing) in the first quarter as the Rams led 23-0 after the first quarter.
Junior receiver Matt Martinez was on the receiving end of both touchdowns and finished the night with four receptions for 63 yards and two touchdowns.
Freshman receiver Kyle Parker hauled in a 31-yard reception for a touchdown late in the second and the Rams held a 31-0 lead at halftime.
“We had a good week of practice and good vibes,” Pellum said.
Despite throwing four touchdowns, Jackson struggled with inconsistency and finished 8-of-22 for 163 yards and five touchdowns (four passing, one rushing) with an interception and was sacked for a safety in third.
“We have to get in rhythm and get in sync,” Pellum said, “We have to get better.”
Senior running back Sone Aupiu had an interception for the Saints and senior quarterback Conor Hochberg rolled out to his right and connected with senior wide receiver Kweku Claybrook for 30 yards and the touchdown for the Saints lone score with a little under seven minutes left in the game.
St. Anthony is at Wilson next Thursday while Millikan hosts La Mirada.
