Millikan was one of the Moore League’s easiest teams to root for last season—they started 5-0, and finished with seven wins for just the third time in school history. Half of the Rams’ games were decided by ten points or less, and their near comeback against Compton was legendary. But when we met with Coach Kirk Diego, he expressed concerns about his team’s ability to build off of last year’s success, particularly after losing a number of key starters on offense, including running back Jeremy Brooks, wide receiver Kierre Beverly, and a total of four offensive lineman.

They still have some players to watch, including quarterback Jake Holtz, a pocket passer who knows how to buy himself time. His arm isn’t the strongest, but the experience he gained as a first year starter last season could be the Rams’ greatest asset. The biggest question will probably be, did the pressure of leading Millikan to the playoffs last year prepare him for the pressure he might be facing from defenses across the city if his new offensive line doesn’t gel? The defense is a question mark too, having graduated star cornerback Roderick Cohn and a slew of others. Jonathan Sanders averaged 7 tackles a game last year as a DB, and may have to up that this year.

Millikan will find out what its secondary is made of early, as they open up against Gahr and their quarterback Cory Nielsen, probably the top passer in Southern California (he threw for over 4,000 yards last season, including 35 TDs). Coach Diego told us his secondary coaching staff was shooting him dirty looks after scheduling that matchup. Of course, if they can pull off a victory (or hell, if they can hold them to three passing TDs) it could provide a boost that carries them through the rest of the year. Either way, a team that played its opponents so tight last year is likely to throw a wrench in a few teams’ playoff hopes. For another season of Millikan magic, Holtz will have to pull one more winning hand out of his helmet—and that’s what makes these Rams wild cards.

MILLIKAN RAMS 2008 SCHEDULE – All games start at 7pm
Sept. 5 vs. Gahr
Sept. 12 vs. Bellflower
Sept. 19 vs. Redondo
Sept. 26 at Downey
Oct. 3 vs. Wilson
Oct. 10 at Jordan
Oct. 17 vs. Poly at Veterans Stadium
Oct. 24 vs. Lakewood
Oct. 31 at Compton
Nov. 14 vs. Cabrillo