The562’s football coverage for the 2026-27 school year is sponsored by Long Beach Poly alums Wendell “WoWo” Moe, Jr. & Tyson Ruffins.
The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
The early-season woes continued for the Millikan football team as the Rams lost 59-14 to Capistrano Valley Friday night at Dehaven Stadium.
After the Rams (0-4) entered the contest without some key starters for a variety of reasons, the margin for error was small and Capistrano Valley took advantage on the opening drive.
The Cougars (4-0) drove 72 yards on five carries on the opening drive that was capped by touchdown run by Zadyn Hall that gave the Cougars a 7-0 lead two minutes into the game.
The Rams got one first down on their first drive after Garrett McLeod found Jay Williams for an 8-yard gain, but the drive stalled and a short punt gave the Cougars a short field. Capistrano Valley took advantage of the field position as Spencer found Zadyn Hall for a 12-yard gain and the senior QB capped the drive for a 6-yard touchdown to make it 14-0 with 5:31 left in the first.
“I like the way that we battled at times,” Millikan coach Romeo Pellum said. “You know, we saw a lot of good things for some guys. Garrett showed a lot of grit, a lot of heart.”
Millikan’s defense held tough for the rest of the opening quarter, but on the first play of the second quarter – the Cougars scored after Talon Spencer rumbled in for a 3-yard touchdown to make it 21-0 four seconds into the second quarter.
The Rams’ offense showed some life on the next drive as McLeod got loose for a few runs and eventually scored on a 5-yard keeper to cut the Cougars’ lead to 21-7.
Capistrano Valley responded on the next drive as Spencer spread the ball to Cartyr Quartucy for a couple completions before Easton Turner scored on a 4-yard touchdown to push the lead to 28-7.
Millikan went right back to the passing game on the next drive as McLeod connected with Williams for a 35-yard touchdown to cut Capo Valley’s lead to 28-14 with 3:46 left in the first half.
The Cougars scored two more times as Capistrano Valley took a 42-14 lead at the break. Capistrano Valley extended the lead to 59-14 in the second half as they moved to 4-0 on the year.
The Cougars rushed 274 yards as they got a solid push from their line.
While the Rams fell to 0-4, Millikan had some athletes play new positions and got some guys some experience that they wouldn’t have before. Jay WIlliams finished the game with six catches for 98 yards and a touchdown.
“You never know what will happen and who will get hurt,” Pellum said of guys getting in the game. “All these reps are meaningful right now. It’s a long season and the goal is still the same. And if we’re gonna get to where we want to get to, like, we have to have guys ready. We gotta create depth and situations for guys to get these opportunities like they’re getting now, and I think it’ll help them help us with that.”
Millikan has a bye next week while Capistrano Valley travels to take on Venice next Friday.
