Last Stand by Oiler Defense Stops Millikan

The weary Huntington Beach High defense needed to make one more stand.

For almost 47 minutes Friday night against Long Beach Millikan, the Oiler defense had answered almost every challenge. Now, after Millikan had pulled to within a point with 1:07 left to play, all of that would be wasted if it couldn’t stop the two-point conversion attempt.

Millikan quarterback Tom McDougal rolled right and launched a pass toward Paul Ier in the right corner of the end zone. But the Oiler pressure that forced him out of the pocket didn’t allow McDougal to get enough zip on the ball, which fell short, preserving a 7-6 victory for Huntington Beach at Millikan.

Millikan (2-1) trailed 7-0 when it took possession at the Huntington Beach 40 yard line with 3:24 to play. A couple of reverse plays and a couple of completed passes later and the Rams were on the Oiler one with 1:29 to play.

McDougal took the snap, fumbled it, and recovered in the end zone to pull the Rams within 7-6 before the two-point conversion failed.

“Our defense did a great job taking away their game,” Oiler Coach Tony Ciarelli said. “They have an explosive team, and I think this is a real good win for us.”

Millikan scored 27 and 48 points in its first two games, but gained only 156 yards before the final drive Friday night.

Fittingly, it was a defensive play that got Huntington Beach (3-0) on the board.

Shaun Donahoe, the Oilers’ free safety, intercepted a McDougal pass and returned it 16 yards for a touchdown with 1:19 remaining in the third quarter. The interception came four plays after an 84-yard punt return for a touchdown by Millikan was negated by a clipping penalty.

“We knew it was a defensive battle,” said Donahoe, a senior. “We knew somebody would have to step up and make a play and I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

The Oilers put constant pressure on the Ram offense, shutting down the run and sacking McDougal seven times--four by Justin Keadle.

Shaun Shuck rushed for 84 yards in 23 carries for Huntington Beach, which drove inside the Millikan 30 on its first two drives, but missed field goals.