The562’s coverage of Millikan Athletics for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Brian Ramsey and TLD Law.
The Millikan Rams will put their 1-0 record on the line against a high level opponent on Friday night at DeHaven Stadium, as they host the defending CIF-SS Division 2 champions from Newbury Park.
Millikan won a 27-14 contest over Foothill High in Henderson, Nev. to kick off the 2025 regular season last Friday, and will look to build on a solid first-half performance that led them to a 21-0 lead at intermission.
Last year’s meeting against Newbury Park was a tough season-opening matchup for the Rams on the road, as they suffered a 52-15 loss to the Panthers and their high-flying offense.
Newbury Park started last season 14-0 before dropping their season finale, 34-27, against Lincoln High from San Diego in the Division 1-AA CIF State Championship Game. The Panthers lost some great talent off that championship squad, but are still considered one of the best teams in Southern California.
A big reason for that is the return of senior QB Brady Smigiel, a highly-rated recruit who was originally committed to Florida State before changing his commitment to Michigan. The 6-foot-5 gunslinger is one of the best passers in the state, and showed off impressive mobility against the Rams to start last season. He was responsible for 60 touchdowns as a junior (49 passing, 11 rushing) while throwing for over 3,500 yards with only three interceptions.
Millikan’s pass defense performed well against Foothill last week, including an interception for sophomore Odell Simms, but this offense is on a whole other level and could be the toughest test the Rams secondary faces all season.
It will take the entire defense–not just the secondary–to slow down the Panthers, who averaged 36.4 points per game a season ago. Millikan’s defensive line will need to do their part in getting Smigiel to move his feet, but also not allow him to scramble for big gains.
Defensive ends Peyton McCutcheon and Jude Nelson were playmakers last week and could help make the difference in disrupting an elite passing game. Also, the anticipated debut of sophomore defensive tackle Lucas Utuone should help bolster Millikan’s depth in a key area.
The Rams’ offense utilized a pair of new quarterbacks last week with senior Ashton Pannell starting and getting most of the playing time. His ability to improvise and extend plays with his legs could be important for an offense working on creating chemistry and filling out an offensive line that was without four starters in their opener.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Millikan, beginning a stretch where the Rams will play four of their next five games at home.
