Championship memories

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Former coaches who left their marks on two Southland schools each returned to their old stomping grounds last week and left impressions again -- on the current teams.

Dick DeHaven, who led Long Beach Millikan to the Southern Section Coastal Conference championship in 1977, was back at the school to participate in a halftime celebration of the 30-year anniversary of the title during the Rams’ 27-14 victory over Long Beach Jordan last week.

DeHaven was joined by former assistants and players from the team that defeated Arcadia, 34-14, for the Rams’ first championship.

Ted Williams, now the Philadelphia Eagles’ running backs coach, guided Compton to the Coastal Conference title in 1978 and spent time with the Tarbabes’ current team before their game Friday against Long Beach Wilson.

Williams spoke to the team about the title run, which ended with a 21-14 victory over Arcadia at Compton, and let the current players know that it will take continued work for the Tarbabes (6-0) to win another championship.

‘He touched me, he touched the whole team,’ senior running back Donald Green said. ‘We’re staying focused and working hard, and the season’s been going great.’

Inspired by Williams’ words, Green rushed for 219 yards and three touchdowns in 19 carries and Compton recorded a 45-20 victory over Wilson.

Williams, in Southern California visiting a son who attends Azusa Pacific, was asked to address the team by Compton Coach Calvin Bryant.

‘It was a great thing for our guys to get to talk to him about what it takes to win a championship,’ Bryant said.

Interestingly, Millikan, under DeHaven, defeated Williams-led Compton, 22-21, when the teams met in the Coastal Conference title game at Anaheim Stadium in 1979.

- Lauren Peterson