This could be the most evenly matched Moore League football game of the Spring season. Both Wilson and Millikan have picked up wins against local rivals while showcasing where they need improvement. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Millikan’s DeHaven Stadium.
“We’re just trying to find that identity with a lot of young guys and trying to find some kind of mix and rotation,” Wilson coach Mark Ziegenhagen said. “We have to get better because we have to play a tough, good Millikan team.”
Wilson (3-0) is coming off consecutive victories over Jordan, and Millikan (2-2) lost to Orange on the road last week after falling behind 30-0 in the first quarter.
“When you get hit in the mouth, we can’t get discouraged,” Millikan coach Romeo Pellum said. “We have to fight back. It’s a learning experience. It sucks to lose like this, but we will get better.”
This game will feature some very good wide receivers and young quarterbacks trying to get them the ball in space. Wilson has an experienced duo in seniors Nick Timko and Michael Bruner who combined for almost 2,000 yards receiving and 28 touchdowns last season. Junior quarterback Xander McLaurin has improved his efficiency over the last few weeks and went 10/16 for 146 yards and three touchdowns last week.
Millikan has an exciting young duo in junior Jahe Drummer and freshman Ryan Pellum. Drummer is a big target on the outside and Pellum is a exciting talent who can play multiple positions. They’ve combined for five touchdowns in the last two weeks while sophomore quarterback Peter Kim finds his footing in the backfield. His best game was against Compton when he completed 10 of his 19 attempts for 101 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Millikan pulled away from a tired Compton team in that win just a week after Wilson needed a last minute touchdown pass from McLaurin to Bruner to beat Compton.
When these teams played in 2019 it was the last regular season game. A Bruins interception returned for a touchdown, and a Rams fake punt for a touchdown turned the game, but the Wilson rushing attack proved to be the difference down the stretch. The Bruins averaged seven yards per carry.
In 2018, Millikan broke up a fake extra point attempt in the final seconds to hang on to a 21-20 win. Both of those games decided second place in league.
