Photo by Bill Sampson
 
They took two very different paths to get there, but the Lakewood Lancers and Millikan Rams found themselves center-stage in one of the Moore League’s most anticipated matchups on Friday night.

Lakewood has been heralded as one of the best teams in Southern California, still riding a high from their first victory over the Poly Jackrabbits in 26 years. Millikan, on the other hand, has successfully played the underdog card to surprisingly contend for a playoff position, themselves defeating Poly last week in a double-overtime thriller. It would have been a colossal upset for Millikan to defeat Lakewood, but we’ve learned to expect the unexpected in all forms this season.

However, there would be no improbable finish on this night, as the Lancers simply outmuscled the Rams, rushing for 280 yards and six touchdowns – while successfully containing Millikan playmaker Alden Darby – on their way to a 60-7 home victory. Lakewood remains atop the Moore League standings while Millikan falls to 3-2 in league, but remains in third place.

“I thought our defense looked great tonight,” said Lakewood coach Thadd MacNeal. The Lancer defense allowed just 121 total yards from the Millikan offense. The gameplan was to contain speedy quarterback Alden Darby, who did score on an electrifying 90-yard kickoff return but was limited to just 23 yards rushing and 54 yards passing.

“I had some sleepless night thinking about Darby,” MacNeal smiled. “Our defensive coaches came up with a great plan for him.”

On the offensive side, Lakewood’s line overpowered their opponents to create excellent protection for quarterback Jesse Scroggins and huge holes for a slew of running backs to run through. The USC-bound Scroggins threw for 180 yards and 2 touchdowns on 7-18 attempts. Explosive junior Rashad Wadood led the rushing attack with 110 yards and 3 touchdowns on seven carries, while senior Terrance Woods racked up 74 yards and junior Alley Long notched 73. Both Woods and Long scored a touchdown.

“I’m so happy our running game got going, and we had no turnovers,” said MacNeal. “We were real efficient. I’m proud of our guys. Man, we played hard tonight.”

Millikan will host Compton next week, in a winnable game that the Rams need in order to make the playoffs. It’s been a tale of polar opposites for the team, which improbably knocked off Poly last week and just couldn’t match the size and skill of Lakewood this week.

“The Rams never quit, we just ran into a buzzsaw tonight,” said coach Kirk Diego, with the unlimited grace that has become his trademark. “What we try to get across is that we get to play every week, and not everybody gets to do that. You play this game long enough, you’re going to win some like this and you’re going to lose some like this.”

Millikan playmakers Silver Vaifanua and Darius Handy combined for just 6 yards on one reception and 7 rushing attempts. Senior Brian Malone notched 59 yards on 9 carries as time wound down on the lopsided game. Millikan’s team speed was rendered useless as the offense fought to gain every inch on offense. Next week’s game against Compton may be more successful for the Rams, who remain a dangerous foe for any Moore League opponent.

Lakewood jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter behind two fast, rushing-heavy drives. Darby was visibly upset after throwing an interception that led to the second touchdown, and responded by taking the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a thrilling touchdown run that left many just simply shaking their heads and smiling.

But 14-7 was as close as the Rams would get, as Scroggins then hit receiver Kevin Anderson for a 62-yard bomb down the sideline to give Lakewood a 21-7 lead as the first quarter came to a close. Second quarter touchdowns from Woods and Wadood brought Lakewood into the half with a 35-7 lead. Anderson finished with an impressive 112 yards and a touchdown on four receptions. The game quickly got out of hand, and Lakewood now heads into a bye week before closing their league schedule at Wilson, while Millikan enters their must-win game with Compton.

“We’ve just got to come back and commit to each other,” Diego said.