Millikan looks to rebound at Lakewood

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After five consecutive victories to open the season, Millikan fell, 28-14, to Long Beach Poly last week and will be looking to rebound in tonight’s Moore League game at Lakewood.

The Rams (5-1, 2-1) took a 7-0 lead on Poly, only to be victimized by the Jackrabbits’ determined and suddenly more-effective ground game. See the Long Beach Press-Telegram’s details of the game here.

‘After the game we were disappointed for the loss, of course, but we also expressed a lot of pride. I thought it was a victory of spirit. History has been that they put up 50 or 60 points on us,’ Millikan Coach Kirk Diego said.

‘The kids came out and played as hard as they could. It was there for the taking, we just couldn’t get our hand on the brass ring.’

The loss hurt the Rams not just because it was their first, but because it might not be their last, if other results this season are any indication. The Moore League, among the toughest in the state, includes not only Poly (5-1, 2-0), ranked No. 7 in the Southland by The Times and seventh in the state by MaxPreps.com, but also unbeaten, high-scoring Compton (6-0), ranked No. 14 in The Times’ poll.

That means tonight’s game is likely to be for the leg up on third place.

Lakewood (4-3, 2-1) goes in looking for its third consecutive victory after beating Long Beach Cabrillo, 48-14, and Long Beach Jordan, 48-7, in its past two games.

- Lauren Peterson