Millikan’s Jay Williams addresses the media on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at Millikan High School in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Millikan’s Odell Simms addresses the media on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at Millikan High School in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Millikan’s Josh Miyake addresses the media on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at Millikan High School in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Millikan’s Soren Jensen addresses the media on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at Millikan High School in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Millikan head football coach Romeo Pellum addresses the media on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at Millikan High School in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Millikan head football coach Romeo Pellum addresses the media on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at Millikan High School in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Millikan head football coach Romeo Pellum addresses the media on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at Millikan High School in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Millikan’s Jay Williams addresses the media on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at Millikan High School in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
LONG BEACH — Millikan football coach Romeo Pellum is not shy about his team’s redemption tour and potential for an explosive offense.
“I guarantee you this year we will get back to who we are,” Pellum said.
The Rams finished 3-8 overall last season, including forfeiting their first two wins due to ineligible players. Millikan went 3-3 in Moore League play with a freshman starting quarterback. The Rams had league losses to rivals Wilson (30-7), Long Beach Poly (24-22) and Lakewood (3-0).
Their season ended with a 7-6 loss to Aliso Niguel in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 5 playoffs.
“I think this year with all of our guys, the brotherhood is really back,” Millikan junior linebacker Soren Jensen said. “I think we’re really working together as one team and one unit. I think that’s going to be the big chance this year.”
Pellum said the 2025 season did not meet the program’s standards, which had been defined by appearances in the CIF-SS Division 3 playoffs in 2023 and 2024.
“One year does not define a league or team,” said Pellum, whose team won the Moore League title in 2024.
Millikan freshman quarterback Jonah Tuaniga (19) looks toward the sideline for a play call in a game against Lakewood at Millikan High School in Long Beach on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Sophomore Jonah Tuaniga is the team’s returning starting quarterback and the Moore League’s only returning starter at that position. He gained a lot of experience after stepping in as the team’s signal caller during nonleague play when his predecessor was ruled ineligible by the CIF-SS.
Tuaniga’s top target will be senior receiver Jay Williams, a 6-foot-5, three-star recruit who is committed to Kansas.
“I’m excited to lead as receiver one this year and just show what I can do on the field,” Williams said. “I have a lot of goals for this year. I think some of the things I improved on definitely was route running.”
Another key player will be junior running back Ryan Carter, who was the team’s second-leading rusher last season with 217 yards and one touchdown on 58 carries.
Millikan sophomore Ryan Carter picks up yards against Lakewood at Millikan High School in Long Beach on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
“Last year, I didn’t get to really show as much because we didn’t have our O-line for real,” Carter said. “I feel like this year is going to be my showout year. I’ll be able to prove myself.”
The Rams’ defense is determined to show it can shut down opponents.
“I feel like our defense is very under-scouted,” said Millikan junior defensive back Odell Sims, who is a three-star recruit. “A lot of guys on this team I feel like should be highly recruited, but they don’t get the type of look they deserve.”
Pellum took responsibility for the team’s poor performance on offense. To remedy that, Dave Pierson, who was the team’s offensive coordinator when Millikan won the Moore League title in 2024, has returned as the team’s playcaller.
“I’ll put that all on me,” Pellum said. “That was my fault. It wasn’t the players’ fault.”
“I’m always better when I’m managing and making five calls, instead of 25-40 calls a game,” Pellum continued. “I think we’ll be in a much better position, and we’re homing in on the small details and the techniques. And I think our coaching staff has gotten a lot better. The players took a step forward from a year ago.”
The Rams open the season at home against Huntington Beach on Thursday, Aug. 20. They also play Loyola, Downey, Capistrano Valley, Notre Dame Sherman Oaks and Palos Verdes in nonleague games.
Millikan begins Moore League play at Lakewood on Oct. 9, before hosting Jordan (Oct. 16), Long Beach Poly (Oct. 23) and concluding league play at Wilson (Oct. 30).
“We’re coming for it all,” Pellum explained. “Pack a lunchpail. Wear your hard hat, because we’re coming.”