Millikan football hoping to bounce back under Justin Utupo

After a disappointing 1-9 season in 2016, the Millikan football team was in need of a culture change. Former Lakewood High standout and University of Notre Dame defensive lineman Justin Utupo takes over as Millikan’s head coach after serving as the defensive coordinator last year. Utupo brings youth, enthusiasm and recent experience to a Millikan team with loads of young talent.

“I want to establish a winning culture and get the boys to compete,” Utupo said. “I’m trying to build a winning program on the field and off the field in the community and in the classroom.”

The Millikan offense is explosive and likes to play fast, similar to the up-tempo Baylor offense in the college ranks. Sophomore quarterback Qeanu Caldwell will get his first taste at the varsity level after Kijjon Foots transferred to Downey. Caldwell is a strong leader with an accurate arm who can hurt defenses with his feet as well.

“(Caldwell) is young, but he doesn’t play young,” Utupo said. “He carries himself like an upperclassman and he knows our system. We need him to play like an upperclassman.”

“I’m just trying to make plays and be me this season,” Caldwell said. “My receivers make me better and make it easier on me.”

The Rams have a plethora of skill position players retuing on offense, all of whom are juniors. Jayden Davis and two-way player Zach Martin are shifty receivers lethal in open space. Malik Bradford is a physical receiver on the outside, who can use his size to bully defenders. Chris Bravo, who plays on the Millikan soccer team, was the kicker for the Rams last season. Utupo wants to utilize his quickness on offense this year.

“Our timing is there and we’re playing like brothers,” Davis said. “If we play as a unit on offense, we’re going to win games.”

Millikan should be much more athletic on defense this season, led by senior defensive linemen Jason Skinner and Pablo Salazar, and sophomore linebacker Joshua Robinson-Little. The secondary is much improved with Martin and junior safety Justin Bailey, who can roam all over the field.

“We have more experience on defense and we know where to be,” Martin said. “We’re tackling better and we know what it takes to do our job.”

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Millikan is competing in CIF-SS Division 8 this season and will travel to West Adams on Aug. 29 to kickoff the season. The Rams open up Moore League play at home against Poly on Sept. 22. Utupo believes that if the Rams can get a playoff spot out of the Moore League, they can do some damage in the playoffs.

“The goal is to get to the playoffs,” he said. “If we can do that I think we’re in a good situation in Division 8.”

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