The562’s coverage of Millikan Athletics for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Brian Ramsey and TLD Law.
An unforgettable 2024 season rewrote the Millikan Football record books, and the Rams are no longer just worthy challengers–they’re champions.
In the last four seasons, Millikan has gone an impressive 21-3 on the field against Moore League opponents, and their 53-40 win over Long Beach Poly last October led them to their first league title in almost 40 years.
The challenge now becomes preserving their spot on the mountaintop, and also capturing more success in the CIF-SS playoffs. As the Millikan program has improved year over year, so has the competition in the postseason. But head coach Romeo Pellum remains focused internally, looking to stay the course in establishing a powerhouse in East Long Beach.
“Nothing really changes. It’s always about us, like I always say,” Pellum reiterated. “It’s about us chopping wood every day and stacking good days. Our standard is our standard. We’re not worried about anyone else–not worrying about guys in the league, or out of the league. We just have to take care of what we know we need to take care of, do our assignments, do our jobs, and live up to the Millikan standard.”
As the Rams gear up for another challenging schedule–one that will take them out of state for their opener (against Foothill High in Henderson, Nevada on Aug. 15) and see them take on more local powerhouses Newbury Park, Loyola, and Downey–Pellum is taking a bit more control over his team this season. He will be assuming the role of play caller for the Millikan offense, a responsibility he had for his first two seasons and resumed briefly in year four as head coach.
“The last couple years, I was just more of a manager, and now calling plays on top of everything, it’s different, but I’ve learned so much over the years,” Pellum explained. “I have all the same offensive coaches, and they will definitely be there to assist me and help. It’s not just my show, we’re all gonna game plan together, we’re gonna put the best formula on the field to win. It’s a little different dynamic, but I’m excited about it.”
One reason to be excited is the arrival of senior QB Ashton Pannell, who transferred to Millikan from Loyola. The 6-foot-3 Pannell already has double-digit scholarship offers, and is a fluid athlete who shows an ability to throw either from the pocket or on the move. He should fit in well with Millikan’s offense as a passer or a runner, and he’s got a wealth of returning talent to throw to on the perimeter.
His main target, who he showed a great rapport with during Millikan’s 7-on-7 season, is senior tight end/wide receiver Jude Nelson. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Nelson is set to become a focal point of the Rams’ offense this year before heading to play at Colorado State. He calls Pannell a “gunslinger” and says he’s optimistic about the group coming back on both sides of the ball.
“I’m just really excited for this team. I think we have a new identity this year,” said Nelson, a three-year starter for the Rams. “A lot of new players, a lot of new faces, but I think we’re really after the same goal. We’re trying to win league again. We’re trying to win a CIF ship my senior year … I’m leaving for college in December, so I think it’s really go time, man. I’m on these guys’ butt every day, we’re working hard, and I think we’re going to get it done this year.”
Speedy wideout Landon Ross should provide the explosiveness for the Rams offensively and in the return game. He’s the first Millikan player to wear No. 1 since All-American Ryan Pellum was on campus, and Ross is looking to be a similar type of x-factor in his fourth and final year on varsity. He’s got the type of confidence you want in a wideout, and has shown a willingness to speak up and lead this group.
“I’ve got a 1,000-yard season in me this year, for sure,” said Ross. “Those leaders that were in front of me, I looked to them for information, and now I can put myself out there and tell my teammates what they should do and what they shouldn’t.”
Those two lead a deep group of receivers which also includes 6-foot-5 junior Jay Williams, senior Diamond Graham, Bosco transfer Jason Hamilton II and others.
Millikan is also excited about the arrival of freshman QB Jonah Tuaniga, who has tremendous upside and looks like a varsity starter already. He should get some quality run as he learns under Pannell and adapts to high school ball.
The Rams will need to replace their entire offensive line, which had five scholarship seniors in 2024. Warren transfer Elijah Karunwi has the most size at left tackle, and senior center Carlos Flores is experienced at center as the Rams look to build chemistry quickly up front.
Senior running back Samson Khan has been in the program but has had a hard time staying healthy. It’s his turn to be the main back for the Rams and his improving pass-catching ability should help him integrate into the offense. Sophomore Ryan Carter is also a player to watch in the backfield as he gains more varsity experience.
Millikan’s defensive front has the chance to be special this season, with a few key returners and some exciting newcomers in the mix. The Rams’ defense had some lulls last season–especially when key players were lost to injury–but the hope is that improved depth this year will help them weather those challenges.
Senior San Diego State commit Peyton McCutcheon is the guy to watch at defensive end. He played in only six games last year for the Rams, but his physical development this offseason puts him in position to be a major playmaker coming off the edge.
Zion Scrivens is a Loyola transfer who has a big frame at defensive tackle, and sophomore Lucas Utuone is an exciting prospect in the middle as well. Andrew and Jesse Laumasima give the Rams additional depth to rotate bodies, and there shouldn’t be many situations where linemen are asked to play both ways.
The linebacking corps is experienced, led by senior Aisa Taeleifi. The Portland State commit was a key member of Millikan’s stop unit a season ago, and he should be flying to the ball all season long in the heart of the Rams’ defense.
Millikan’s secondary has a blend of youth and experience, including three-year starter EJ Enriquez back at Nickel. He’s excited about this year’s defense and the talent around him in the secondary, as the Rams look to repeat as Moore League champs for the first time ever.
“I think the key is knowing that nothing’s given to us,” Enriquez said. “You don’t want to lose that title your first season back, so we can’t get complacent. We’ve gotta earn it. Nothing’s been given to us yet. We’ve gotta make sure that we keep building and building and building.”
Odell Simms is back at corner after starting there as a 9th grader last season. He’ll also get some time at wide receiver as a sophomore. Versatile juniors Kylen Hart, Demari McCullouch, and Josh Miyake will also be in the mix in the defensive backfield.
With consecutive appearances in the CIF-SS Division 3 playoff bracket, four straight rivalry wins over Lakewood, and now a historic Moore League title to defend, the needle is still pointing up for Millikan Football. Only time will tell what comes next.
2025 Millikan Rams Schedule
8/15 – at Foothill (Henderson, Nev.)
8/22 – vs. Newbury Park
8/29 – vs. Loyola
9/5 – at Downey
9/12 – BYE
9/19 – vs. Cabrillo
9/26 – vs. Wilson
10/3 – at Jordan
10/10 – at Long Beach Poly (Veterans Stadium)
10/17 – vs. Lakewood
10/24 – at Compton
10/30 – BYE
Projected Starters
Offense
QB – Ashton Pannell (Sr.)
RB – Samson Khan (Sr.) / Ryan Carter (So.)
WR – Landon Ross (Sr.) / Jay Williams (Jr.) / Diamond Graham (Sr.) / Odell Simms, Jr. (So.) / Jason Hamilton II (Sr.) / Josiah Carter (So.)
TE/WR – Jude Nelson (Sr.)
LT – Elijah Karunwi (Sr.)
LG – Demaje Holiday (Sr.)
C – Carlos Flores (Sr.)
RG – Ethan Franco (Jr.)
RT – Karim Almulhim (Sr.)
K – Sebastian Perez (Sr.)
Defense
DE – Peyton McCutcheon (Sr.) / Jesse Laumasima (Jr.) / Jude Nelson (Sr.)
DT – Zion Scrivens (Sr.) / Lucas Utuone (So.) / Andrew Laumasima (Jr.) / Karim Almulhim (Sr.)
LB – Aisa Taeleifi (Sr.) / Damian Paz (Sr.)
CB – Odell Simms, Jr. (So.) / Jason Hamilton II (Sr.) / Demari McCullouch (Jr.) / Cason Miller (Fr.)
Nickel – EJ Enriquez (Sr.) / Kylen Hart (Jr.)
S – Kylen Hart (Jr.) / Josh Miyake (Jr.) / EJ Enriquez (Sr.) / Demari McCullouch (Jr.)
P – Trace Lowrey (Jr.)
