Perhaps no team experienced more offseason turmoil than Millikan. The Rams saw head coach Lyn Perryman step down after three progressively improving seasons, and that was merely the beginning. Speculation began to surface about a forced resignation, followed by petition and protest from current and former players.
In the end, Perryman and offensive coordinator Thomas Barnes are gone, and Derwin Henderson is in. Millikan has gone from an 0-10 record in 2012 to 4-6 the next year and to finally a 6-4 mark in 2014. Those six wins were as many as the Rams had experienced in the previous four seasons combined, so the groundwork appears to be there for Henderson.
“I couldn’t pass this job up,” said Henderson, who was a finalist for the Lakewood coaching vacancy in 2013. “With the support they have financially and from the people here at Millikan, I couldn’t pass it up.”
Henderson was previously the head coach at Morningside High School, where he built a competitive program, but perhaps his most telling coaching stop was in 2008 when he was the quarterback coach at Corona Centennial. That Huskies team won a state championship, defeating Concord De La Salle in the title game. Their revolutionary style of offense has remained a staple for Henderson and he plans on bringing a “carbon copy” offensive look to East Long Beach.
The Rams offense will be up-tempo, using hand signals to relay in plays from the sidelines with multiple receivers out wide to spread the field. Their offensive linemen will utilize 4-5 foot splits to create running room for talented senior running back Anthony Carswell. His quick-hitting style should be a good fit for the read-option running game, and he should have plenty of cutback lanes. Carswell was limited last season because of a broken jaw and the presence of Donald Gordon ahead on the depth chart, but as a sophomore in 2013 he averaged 8.33 yards per carry and was a consistent playmaker.
Running the offense at quarterback will be 6-foot-1 senior John Buska. He was one of three quarterbacks to see time for the Rams last season and Henderson believes he’s poised for a special season.
“He’s really improved,” the coach said of his key pupil. “I’ve had kids throw for 3,800 yards that weren’t as good as him. I anticipate him throwing for over 3,000 yards.”
Three-year starter Daniel Garcia anchors the line at center, a unit that will average around 260 pounds among the starters and features some young talent including 6-5, 275-pound sophomore tackle Noah Holm. Senior Prince Matthew Thomas and sophomore Bosco transfer Tino Venegas will be the top targets at wide receiver.
Monty Petersen will be the defensive captain at middle linebacker. The senior has a relentless motor and is one of the best defenders in the Moore League. Dominguez transfer EJ Barnes should start at strong safety, and twin sophomore transfers Keshawn and Teshawn White from Inglewood show great potential at linebacker, according to Henderson.
Coach’s Corner
Head Coach: Derwin Henderson
Year at school: 1st
Record at school: 0-0
2014 Record: 6-4
Quotable: “We’re going to punish people. Teams are going to know when they play us. Not being dirty, but physical. This is not the old, soft Millikan.”
Schedule
Millikan
Aug. 28, At Lynwood, 7 p.m.
Sept. 4, ALISO NIGUEL, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11, MISSION HILLS, 7 p.m.
Sept. 18, At Downey, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25, *At Lakewood, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2, *COMPTON, 7 p.m.
Oct. 16, *JORDAN, 7 p.m.
Oct. 23, At Wilson, 7 p.m.
Oct. 30, *At Cabrillo, 7 p.m.
Nov. 6, *LONG BEACH POLY, 7 p.m.
Home games in bold
* League game
