Tonight, the Millikan sideline will be jumping with anticipation. But over the last two months, it’s been the other sideline that can take some credit for the Rams playing in the CIFSS Final.
“You have to compete every day in this league. Every day,” says Millikan coach Rod Petkovic. “Look at all the (Moore League) athletes in the pros… these kids are tough. It’s pride. They love to play, and a lot of that comes from their heritage, their families. They won’t back down from a challenge.”
The weekly challenge of the Moore League has led to the LBC being well represented in this year’s playoff bracket. Number four seed Cabrillo beat up on Moorpark in the wild card round, 5-0, before falling to the bracket’s top seeded El Toro Chargers, 1-0, on a last minute goal. Moore League number three seed Jordan had an historic run into the quarterfinals, hosting back-to-back home playoff games for the first time in school history, before falling to St. Francis in OT, 3-2. The league’s runner up, Wilson, easily handled first round opponent Aliso Niguel, 3-0, and made it to the round of 16 before falling to Servite on Pks, 7-5.
“Five of the seven schools have been to the CIF final,” says Petkovic. “Every school has won a league title. That’s exciting, and it’s not typical.”
As sports journalists and sports fans, we at LBPostSports.com can confidently say that, more often than not, when a Moore League team plays a non-league opponent the Long Beach team is the tougher of the two. That obviously comes from the week-to-week battles, in any sport, that the Moore League produces. And that hard work and dedication from all the boys’ soccer teams this year will be on display when Millikan takes the field tonight.
So, we’re looking at you, Moore League fans. Get out to Warren High tonight to not only see some of the best soccer in the country, but to support the Moore League. That’s Long Beach on the field, and Long Beach should be in the stands as well! You’ve got driving directions below, the game will be under the lights tonight at Warren High at 8pm—tickets are a measly nine bucks, or five if you’ve got a student ID.