The562’s coverage of football in 2023-24 is sponsored in part by the MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center Foundation and Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital Foundation
The562’s coverage of Millikan athletics in the 2023-24 school year is sponsored by Curtis Boyer.
The562’s coverage of Cabrillo Athletics is sponsored by the Cohn Family.
Millikan wrapped up the Moore League’s second seed and closed another successful regular season Friday night at DeHaven Stadium. The Rams hosted Cabrillo and remained firmly in control of the game, which was played with a running clock from the start of the second quarter. Millikan played efficient offense and captured the win, 36-7.
“Tonight was just for us to execute and work on a couple things,” said Millikan coach Romeo Pellum. “We want to make sure we’re sharp for the playoffs. The goal was to be efficient, but also to keep Cabrillo in consideration. They’ve had a really good season this year and (coach Shane Gonzales) does a great job over there. We don’t want to take away their pride–they’re Long Beach kids.”
The Rams went three-and-out to start the game after a few missed connections but quickly shifted into high gear. USC commit and Under Armor All-American Ryan Pellum took a punt back 65 yards for a touchdown, covering both sides of the field. Cabrillo’s next drive reached midfield, but after Millikan forced a punt, quarterback JP Mialovski went to work. He completed four passes including a 67-yard score to Loyall Mouzon.
After a three-and-out for Cabrillo, Mialovski found Pellum for a 45-yard touchdown. The next time they had the ball he found Kyle Parker for a 39 yard gain and then hit him again for a four-yard touchdown. On the Rams’ final drive of the half Mialovski threw it to Charlie Broughton for a 33-yard score to make it 30-0 at the break.
The Jags would get on the board on a bomb Fernando Leanos to Rodney Cheathum in the fourth quarter, which went for a 42-yard score, and the Rams answered back to push the score to 36-7.
Mialovski was incredibly efficient, going 10/13 for 259 yards and four touchdowns. Four different receivers caught touchdowns, with Pellum adding one as a returner as well. The Rams also honored their seniors as part of a Homecoming and Senior Night ceremony, with a special senior class getting their flowers.
It was a significant night for the Rams, whose senior class has helped elevate the program to new heights over the last several years. At the center of all that have been two Pellums; Romeo, the coach, and Ryan, his little brother.
Romeo has been coaching Ryan since Ryan was five years old, and the two brothers know there’s only a few weeks left before Ryan goes to USC.
“We have to earn it now, week by week,” Romeo said. “It’s special, this week getting the All-American jersey, that’s huge for Millikan and for our family. He’s a special player–I don’t have to say it, everyone sees it. We’ve been doing this for a while, and I’ve been coaching him long enough–it’s almost time for someone else to take him.”
Millikan (7-3, 5-1) will await the CIF-SS playoff brackets which will be released Sunday morning.
