Two years ago, the Millikan Rams went to the playoffs. Last year, they got off to a 2-2 start in their nonleague schedule, with their offense kicked into high-flying mode, averaging over 30 points per-game. Then, something happened—chemistry soured, execution broke down, and the Rams lost five in a row, not getting their first league win until their final contest, against Cabrillo. Worse, in their first three league losses, they mustered a combined 27 points. Millikan head coach Kirk Diego knew his Rams needed to get back to basics.
So, this season, that’s what they’re doing, with a small, speedy team he hopes will inject some life back into his program. “Every year you start from zero,” he says. “It’s all a matter of how kids come together—and these guys are together.” The Rams are going to run with a small, tight group of players, probably between 35 and 40 suiting up for varsity. They’re not ashamed of who they are, either—Diego says he won’t suit up JV players this year to make it look like they’re a bigger squad. The smaller group means they’ve been focusing on athleticism, a necessity because all but one player on their roster is listed at two positions.
Most importantly, the Rams are focusing on the team concept. “You don’t win on Friday night,” says Diego. “You win with preparation, and you can only do that if you’re all on the same page—love your brother, be a champion for life, all those things we teach. Forty guys working together, bleeding together, not wanting to let their buddy down—that’s how you become a success in anything you do.”
Their offense should be exciting, as Diego wants to liven things up again after last season. Alden Darby, the Rams’ best playmaker, and Paul Slater, last year’s JV QB, will split time behind center, and will give Millikan a multi-faceted attack that should allow them to shift their offensive identity from week to week. Great team speed and some good size on the line should help this well-coached team begin a return to form. A lack of overwhelming force will give the Rams a smaller margin of error than some teams have, but Diego and his team are aware of that.
“We just have to execute,” he says. “Line up right, know your assignment. Nothing about life comes easy, but especially in football because it’s just not natural to run into a guy at full speed. I’d like to think Poly doesn’t win year after year after year because they’re bigger, faster, and stronger. They may be, but I’d like to think that they’re focused on each play—and that’s what we’re teaching.”
Millikan Rams 2009 Schedule (Games at 7pm unless noted)
Week Zero: September 4th
@ Gahr
Week One: September 11th
Vs. Artesia
Week Two: September 18th
@ Redondo
Week Three: September 25th
Vs. Fountain Valley
Week Four: October 2nd
@ Cabrillo
Week Five: October 9th
@ Wilson
Week Six: October 16th
Vs. Jordan
Week Seven: October 23th
Vs. Poly
Week Eight: October 30th
@ Lakewood
Week Nine: November 6th
Vs. Compton
Week Ten: November 13th
Bye
Schedule Analysis
The Rams retain two of last year’s nonleague opponents, Gahr and Redondo, both of which were losses last year. They’ve swapped in Artesia and Fountain Valley, who were a combined 14-8 last season. It’s a slight schedule upgrade that should help the Rams evaluate where they are before league play starts. They could get a confidence boost out of their league opener, as they travel to Cabrillo, to face the only Moore League team they got the best of last season. They’ll need that confidence to get through just about the worst final five weeks a team could ask for—they’ve got Jordan and Poly at home, before traveling to Lakewood and then hosting Compton (those are the Moore League’s four playoff teams from last season). Then, they have the dreaded tenth-week bye. You’d always prefer to use that bye week in the middle of the season to spend extra time preparing and resting up, but instead the Rams will just get a chance to go see everyone else finish their season.
Five Players To Watch:
Alden Darby, QB/WR/DB, senior #2
Darby is the Rams’ best athlete, so they’re trying to make sure he gets the ball in his hands as often as possible. To do that, he’ll spend a good amount of time under center—from the QB position, he’ll be a threatening runner who also has the ability to stretch the field when he needs to. Darby was a real bright spot last season, so it’s good to see his skills showcased in the Rams’ scheme. “Darby’s like a cat,” says Diego. “Sometimes you think he’s going to fall down, and then he lands on his feet.”
Paul Slater, QB/DB, senior #11
When Darby isn’t threatening with his speed, Slater (who was last year’s starting JV QB), will be slinging it around. “He knows the offense inside and out,” says Diego. With all the things they want to do on offense, having a quarterback who can take a five-step drop and hit a man downfield (it could be Darby, at that) will definitely be crucial.
Lonnie Adams, LB/RB, senior #1
Adams will start at middle ‘backer for the Rams, a spot he’s earned with his combination of size and speed. “He runs like the wind, and will just knock you in the mouth,” says Diego. At 6’4″, 200 pounds, he can be slippery to block, and could make a real name for himself this season.
Kevin Marroquin, DL/OL, senior #67
Marroquin is a beast in the best way possible. When Diego mentioned he had a mammoth lineman, there was no doubt in our minds he was talking about #67, who clocks in at 6′, 292 pounds. The kid has spent a lot of time in the weight room, and it shows. On offense he’ll be crucial to everything they’re doing at the tackle position—the line will be anchored on the other side by Brandon Davidson, another good-looking bruiser.
Kilisi Suai, DB/RB, senior #3
Suai played linebacker last year for the Rams, where he was the third-leading tackler, and a highly competent pass defender as well. That athleticism led to the Rams moving him back to safety this season, where they’ll count on the sure-handed Suai continuing to get himself into the middle of things.