The562’s coverage of football in 2024-25 is sponsored by The Terry Donahue Memorial California Showcase.
After weathering some early bumps in the road, it has been smooth sailing for the Millikan Rams as they head into the CIF-SS Division 3 playoffs.
Winners of seven straight games, the 8-2 Rams are rested and ready to make a playoff run, competing in the same division they were in a season ago. This is the first time in the Romeo Pellum era (which dates back to 2019) that Millikan has not moved up in playoff division, despite the fact they have their best regular season record, are Moore League champions, and have their highest rating according to CalPreps.
That all bodes well for the Rams, who also get the benefit of a home opener in the playoffs for the first time under Pellum. But games aren’t won on paper, and despite the favorable draw it will come down to execution on Friday night when Millikan hosts Crean Lutheran at DeHaven Stadium.
“They’re definitely a good football team, they have some dudes,” said Pellum of the visiting Saints. “But again, like every other week, it’s not about them. It’s about us and doing what we need to do and take care of our part, and we’ll be fine. It’s not necessarily what they have or what they can do or what they can’t do. Is just about us and what we can do, what we’re going to do.”
Millikan’s calling card this year has been their running game, with senior Anthony League serving as the bell cow behind an elite offensive line. League has rushed for 1,546 yards this season with an impressive 22 rushing TDs. Fellow running back Xavier Jones has put up legit numbers as well, rushing for 792 yards and 13 scores. Jones is averaging 10.8 yards per carry while League averages 10.6.
Those stats are why Pellum believes he’s got one of the best public school offensive lines in the state and is confident riding that running game into the playoffs.
With the Rams averaging just shy of 50 points per game, they’re comfortable outscoring teams, and it usually gives their defense plenty of wiggle room during games. The Rams’ stop unit has gotten healthier and results have improved throughout the season, though they have allowed 27 or more points in five games this year.
“Some of our defensive players, we’re in our heads a lot,” said defensive captain and middle linebacker Sirr Bible. “If we just get out of that, and come into the game with a clear state of mind and just just play ball, we can do great things.”
With an 8-2 record, Crean Lutheran jumped from Division 6 to Division 3 this season, led by a strong defense. The Saints have allowed 23 points or fewer in every game, but they haven’t faced an offense like Millikan’s, and they’ll have their hands full with the likes of League and Jones.
The Saints’ top players are on the defensive side of the ball, where massive three-star defensive lineman Tyler Parker is a standout at 6-foot, 300 lbs. Fellow senior Carter Jones is an Arizona commit and is the team’s leading tackler at linebacker.
Sophomore Caden Jones is an exciting QB prospect for the Saints, but he was injured during the non-league season and has been out ever since with a knee injury. That led to Crean Lutheran going with freshman Dylan D’epifanio, who has thrown for 1,140 yards, 13 TDs and four picks in nine games.
The Crean Lutheran offense has mostly been on the ground this year, with a trio of senior running backs getting most of the carries and touchdowns. Taurian Nash has been the most explosive of the bunch, averaging 10.3 yards per carry with 9 rushing TDs. Archer C’de Baca and Eli Bray each have over 50 carries and 4+ scores for the Saints.
But Millikan is hoping that Friday’s game is a continuation of the success they’ve been having the last two months, and they’re excited and ready to go after their bye week.
“This week is very special to us, it’s the first game of the playoffs,” said Bible, the San Jose State commit. “We’ve been grinding it from start to finish, we’re just ready to play, ready to work.”
Playing at DeHaven Stadium should also be a huge advantage for the Rams, with their student section always ready to make noise and set the stage for big games. Pellum’s message to the Millikan Mob was simple going into their playoff opener.
“Just be them,” said Pellum. “They know what it is. They’re the same every game, no matter who we’re playing, they’re going to do what they need to do. We have full confidence in them, and they’re an extension of us. We’re looking forward to them being here and we’re excited.”
Kickoff is scheduled for Friday night at 7 p.m. and the winner will advance to the quarterfinals against either Tustin or Loyola.
