High school football in Southern California is basically a religion, but in the Moore League, it’s a religion with a very specific hierarchy. For decades, the conversation started and ended with Poly. But lately? Things are getting weird. If you’ve spent any time at DeHaven Stadium on a Friday night, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Long Beach Millikan football isn't just "improving"—it has become a legitimate powerhouse that makes the rest of the league, and the CIF Southern Section, extremely nervous.
Millikan used to be the underdog. The blue-collar school on the east side that worked hard but couldn't quite hurdle the blue-blood programs. That era is dead.
The Rams have transformed into a Division 1/2 caliber program that attracts elite talent. We aren't just talking about local kids anymore. We’re talking about four-star and five-star recruits who see the "Blue and Gold" as a gateway to the Pac-12 (or what's left of it) and the Big Ten. Honestly, the shift happened faster than most people expected.
The Romeo Pellum Effect and the Culture Shift
You can't talk about Long Beach Millikan football without talking about Romeo Pellum. When he took over the program, he didn't just bring a new playbook. He brought an entirely different energy. Pellum, with his own deep roots in the Long Beach football scene, understood that to beat the best, you have to look, train, and recruit like the best.
It worked.
The atmosphere at practices changed. It stopped being about "showing up" and started being about "dominating." You see it in the way the wide receivers run their routes and the sheer aggression of the defensive line. They play with a chip on their shoulder. It’s a "Big City" style of football that fits the Moore League perfectly.
But it’s not just about the coaching. It’s the infrastructure. The school has seen upgrades, the weight room is buzzing, and the community support is at an all-time high. When Millikan plays a home game now, it feels like an event. You’ve got alumni coming back who haven’t stepped on campus in twenty years because they want to see if the hype is real.
It is.
Talent That Reshaped the Map
Let’s look at the roster. Over the last few seasons, Millikan has boasted some of the most explosive playmakers in the state. We’re talking about guys like Ryan Pellum, who was a nightmare for defensive coordinators across the CIF. When you have a player who can score every time he touches the ball, it changes your entire offensive philosophy. You become bolder. You take shots.
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- The passing game: It’s vertical. It’s fast. It’s designed to tire out secondaries.
- The defense: Aggressive man-to-man coverage. They dare you to beat them over the top.
- Special teams: They play these units like they’re starters. No plays off.
The Rams have consistently produced Division 1 talent recently. Look at the commitment lists from the last few years and you'll see "Millikan" appearing next to major programs like Oregon, USC, and Arizona. This isn't a fluke. It’s a pipeline.
The Moore League Rivalry: Closing the Gap
The elephant in the room is always Long Beach Poly. For what feels like a century, the Jackrabbits have owned the league. For Millikan, the goal isn't just to make the playoffs; it's to take that league title.
Last season's matchups showed just how thin that margin has become. Millikan isn't getting blown out in these big games anymore. They are leading at halftime. They are trading blows in the fourth quarter. It’s become a "game of inches" rivalry rather than a foregone conclusion. This shift matters because it raises the floor for the entire city. When Millikan is great, Poly has to be better. When Poly is pushed, the level of football in Long Beach reaches a fever pitch that you just don’t see in the suburbs.
But don't sleep on the rest of the league either. Lakewood is always scrappy, and Jordan has been making moves. However, the Millikan vs. Poly game is the one everyone circles in red ink. It’s the game that decides the "King of the Hill" status in the 562.
Breaking Down the Rams' Tactical Identity
On the field, Millikan runs a spread offense that is remarkably adaptable. They don’t just run "the system." They run what works for the personnel they have that year. If they have a massive offensive line, they’ll pound the rock. If they have track stars at wideout, they’ll air it out 40 times a game.
Defensively, they’ve moved toward a high-pressure 4-2-5 or 3-4 look depending on the opponent. The goal is simple: create chaos. They want to force the opposing quarterback to make a decision in under 2.5 seconds. Usually, that decision is a bad one.
Why the "Transfer" Narrative is Only Half the Story
If you spend five minutes on local message boards, you’ll hear the grumbling. "Oh, Millikan only wins because of transfers."
Honestly? That’s a lazy take.
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While it's true that high-profile players have moved into the district to play for Pellum, you don't build a consistent winner on transfers alone. You build it on the "younger brothers." It’s the kids who grow up in the Millikan youth programs, the ones who attend the summer camps at eight years old, and the ones who play on the JV squad for two years before getting their shot.
The "core" of the team—the guys who do the dirty work in the trenches—are often local Long Beach kids who have been dreaming of wearing that jersey since middle school. That’s where the culture lives. A transfer might catch the winning touchdown, but the local kid made the block that gave the QB time to throw it.
The Challenges of the CIF Southern Section
Playing in the Southern Section is a gauntlet. It’s arguably the toughest high school football playoff bracket in the entire country. Millikan has found themselves pushed into higher and higher divisions because of their success.
This is a double-edged sword.
On one hand, you want to play against the best. You want the Mater Deis and the St. John Boscos of the world. On the other hand, the physical toll that these games take on a roster is immense. Millikan has had seasons where they looked invincible in September, only to be hobbled by injuries by November. Depth is the next hurdle. To win a CIF title in the upper divisions, you don't just need 11 great players. You need 44.
What to Expect Next for Long Beach Millikan Football
The trajectory is pointing straight up. The school is leaning into its identity as a football powerhouse. But there are questions. Can they maintain this momentum if coaching staff members move on to the college ranks? Can they continue to attract top-tier talent without the "private school" resources of the Trinity League?
Most insiders believe the answer is yes.
Millikan offers something those private schools don't: the raw, authentic Long Beach experience. There is a pride in playing for a public school in your own city. There’s a different kind of "loud" when the community fills the bleachers.
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If you’re a fan, the next few years are going to be a roller coaster. We are seeing the birth of a new era. The Moore League isn't a one-team show anymore. It’s a battleground.
How to Follow the Rams
If you want to catch a game, get there early. The parking at Millikan is... well, it’s a high school in Long Beach. It’s a nightmare. But once you’re inside, and the band starts playing, and you see the speed of the players on the turf, you’ll realize why this program is the talk of the town.
- Check the Moore League schedule for the "Game of the Week."
- Follow local reporters like those at the Long Beach Post or The 562. They provide the best beat coverage of these kids.
- Keep an eye on the Friday night highlights; Millikan usually accounts for at least three or four of the top ten plays.
The most important thing to watch for isn't the score. It's the body language. Watch how these kids carry themselves. They don't look like a team that's just happy to be there. They look like a team that expects to win every single time they strap on the helmet. That’s the real legacy of what’s happening right now at Millikan.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Parents
For those looking to get involved or support the program, the path is pretty straightforward. High school sports thrive on community engagement.
First, support the boosters. Public school budgets only go so far, and the "extras" that make a program elite—better tech, specialized training, travel funds—come from the fans. Second, attend the lower-level games. JV and Freshman games are where the future of Long Beach Millikan football is forged. Seeing the stands full for a Thursday afternoon JV game sends a massive message to the kids about the value of their hard work.
Finally, for the athletes in the area, the message is clear: You don't have to leave Long Beach to play elite, D1-level football. The scouts are already here. They are watching the blue and gold. The path to the next level runs right through the corner of Palo Verde and Snowdy.
Whether you love them or hate them, you have to respect the grind. Millikan has forced their way into the conversation, and they don't look like they're planning on leaving any time soon. The Moore League just got a lot more interesting.