The562’s coverage of Millikan Athletics for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Brian Ramsey and TLD Law.
The final score couldn’t begin to tell the story of Millikan’s season opener at Foothill High School in Henderson, Nevada, on Friday. At face value, the Rams cruised to a 27-14 victory over the Falcons, but overcame a shorthanded roster and the usual season-opener miscues while playing in the nearly 100-degree Nevada heat.
“A win is a win,” said Millikan coach Romeo Pellum. “It’s hard to win football games so no matter what happens when you win you have to enjoy it. Obviously it was an ugly win, with penalties and turnovers and that kind of thing. Guys were going both ways and it’s hot as hell. Their energy got depleted fast, but they worked hard and we finished.”
There were missing pieces on both sides of the ball for Millikan with multiple guys sitting out on the sideline having not been cleared through the CIF transfer process. The Rams had only one starting lineman on the field and were missing nearly ten other starters, all of whom Pellum says should be cleared very soon.
The Millikan fans who made the trip to Henderson did get a chance to see transfer quarterback Ashton Pannell, who finished 16/29 for 249 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. The senior took a series of plays out in both halves of the game to let freshman prospect Jonah Tuaniga get some field time, where the youngster threw all of his 57 passing yards and a touchdown on his first high school drive.
“It allowed him to take a break and see things so he could talk to Jonah and see what the defense is doing from the side,” Pellum said of giving his senior a break to let Tuaniga see the field. “We gotta have both guys ready. You never know, god forbid somebody goes down. It’s clear Ashton is our starter and our QB1, but they know that Jonah is also going to get reps.”
Tuaniga’s touchdown pass came as the first of the day for the Rams on a 16-yard connection to senior Jude Nelson in the first quarter. The receiver/tight end finished the night with 9 catches for 101 yards with the touchdown while adding two sacks and a pass deflection from defensive end.
“It felt good,” Nelson said of his big night. “Some guys stepped up and did their job and we’re just excited to keep it going. I think once we have everyone back we’re going to be a powerhouse.”
The Rams doubled their lead to open the second quarter on a six-yard touchdown pass from Pannell to Diamond Graham, who finished the game with 65 yards on five catches. Pannell found his second touchdown on the first throw of the next drive—a 72-yard strike to 6-foot-5 receiver Jay Williams. Williams ended the night with three catches for 97 yards and that touchdown.
Millikan also had a couple eye-popping plays on defense, including an interception from cornerback Odell Simms Jr. in the first quarter. Senior defensive end Peyton McCutcheon also had a productive night with a strip sack, two fumble recoveries and a touchdown.
“It was a tough start but once we got into a rhythm I felt like we pulled through,” McCutcheon said. “It took all of us together as a team to make it happen. It’s all through the power of God and my family and for my sisters—I do everything for them.”
Both teams worked out some kinks as the game went on and struggled with penalties early and often. The Rams had 14 penalties for over 130 yards including eight in the first half, but still outscored the Falcons 21-0 at half. Foothill had nine penalties called on them for 65 yards.
“Instead of pouting about it I think we did a good job embracing it,” McCutcheon said of the early miscues. “Even though we slipped up a lot we know we still have to catch our footing so I think as long as we recognize it and call ourselves out on it then we’ll be all good.”
The Falcons finally found the endzone to finish the third quarter on a one-yard touchdown plunge from running back Anthony Taylor. The junior added a receiving touchdown on a pass from QB Ryder Dobbs in the fourth quarter and finished the night with 21 carries for 120 yards.
The Rams will return back to Long Beach for their home-opener next week in a tough Friday night matchup against Newbury Park.
