Two second quarter defensive touchdowns within a minute of each other proved the catalyst in Millikan’s 42-13 victory over Artesia at Millikan High on Friday night.

The Ram defense played a bend-don’t-break game as they gave up over 300 yards but forced five turnovers and got a safety on a muffed punt attempt.  Millikan only ran 33 offensive plays to Artesia’s 57, so the defense was on the field for most of the night and coach Kirk Diego was disappointed and happy after the contest.

“That was one of the ugliest 42-13 wins I’ve ever seen,” said Diego.  “I really don’t know how we won that one.”

How they won it was the Paul Slater/Silver Vaifanua connection.  The two seniors were on the same page from the get-go, as Slater found Vaifanua on a seam route for a 65-yard touchdown on the fourth play of the game.  The Pioneers tried to disguise a cover two look and cover Vaifanua man-to-man in the slot, and the Rams took advantage whenever they wanted to.  Slater found Vaifanua again on the second offensive play of the second half for an 88-yard touchdown.  Slater finished the night 7-for13 for 199 yards and three touchdowns, one rushing.

“On this team, we feed off of each other,” said Vaifanua, who finished with 180 total yards and three touchdowns.  “I have to thank the line for blocking and (Slater) for some great passes… but we have to thank the coaches because they are really pushing us.”

The Rams are a small squad— in stature and overall numbers— so for the defense to be on the field for that long and stay fresh enough to limit Artesia to 13 points is a testament to the preparation.

“Yeah, we run a lot,” said Slater, who is one the players that plays both ways.  “I really like our squad, we just have to stay healthy.”

The iron-man Rams never relinquished the lead after Vaifanua’s first touchdown, but after Artesia intercepted a tipped pass in the second half, they were driving to take the lead.  However, Kody Robinson scooped and scored on a fumble that he ran 64-yards to pay dirt.  After a poorly fielded kickoff and a penalty, the Pioneers were on their own four-yard line.  On the first play they fumbled again on the center/quarterback exchange, and linebacker Pedro Alvarez picked up the ball and walked into the end zone to put the Rams up 20-6.

They took that lead into halftime, and then Vaifanua’s second touchdown in the first minutes of the second half effectively ended the game.

“We kept Silver out of the defensive rotation a little more tonight,” said Diego.  “And yeah, it worked.  We just need to stay healthy.”

If you’ve heard that line from a Ram this year, it’s not déjà vu.  Everyone knows that the handful of guys who play major roles on this team need to be in the field, especially Slater, who re-injured his shoulder in the third quarter.  The injury is a hold over from last week and the Millikan coaches were unsure on Monday if the senior would suit up.  But Slater visited his aunt, a local chiropractor, and said he felt as good as new before the game.  When Slater was on the ground after a vicious hit to the shoulder, Diego joked that his quarterback/safety would need to visit his aunt again.

“Paul didn’t laugh,” said Diego.

The Rams will be laughing and joking a lot more next week if they can maintain this momentum of the 2-0 start.  They travel to Redondo next Friday.