Quarterback Jordan Lawton brings promise of the future to Millikan High School

Long Beach, California’s Millikan High School has seen some rough times over the last few years on the gridiron. From 2010 to 2012 the Rams were 2-28 but a turnaround seems to be on the horizon thanks in-part to junior to-be quarterback Jordan Lawton.

After Lawton won MVP honors at the Elite Football Network Exposure Camp in Los Angeles on May 10, he sat down for a one-one-one interview to talk about playing quarterback, Millikan’s football program going forward, and life off the football field.

Lawton served as a game manager for the Rams during his sophomore year becoming a starter four games into the season helping Millikan finish the season 5-4 in the regular season and 2-4 in the Moore League, more than doubling the team’s wins over the previous three campaigns.

When looking back on 2013 Lawton gives insight to the team’s early struggles, “When the season started we didn’t really have trust with the coaches yet because of the three seasons prior. We lost our first game that we should have won but that gave us confidence. Then we got over confident. The team started to believe, we then went from bad to having a big man on campus mentality then back to under performing.”

Lawton adds, “Last year was one of the better Millikan teams in a while. We could have done better if we would have listened to our coaches a little earlier.”

On the upcoming season Lawton is optimistic about the Rams chances, “The 2014 season looks very promising. We have a lot of new transfers added to our team including running back Donald Gordon, he transferred in from Louisiana. Since he’s been here he has been the man in the backfield. Plus we’ve added more coaches to the staff. In years past we never had position specific coaches now we do. All of this should make us a force to be reckoned with in 2014.”

When asked if Lawton expects to be the starting quarterback in 2014 he does not hesitate, “Yes sir, as long as I keep working hard and improve the things I was weaker at last year.”

The 5’11”, 176 pound, strong armed signal caller is insightful and dedicated to getting better on and off the field. When asked about the steps he is taking to improve Lawton quickly adds, “Weight lifting, a lot of footwork, and my passing touch. I’m learning when to rocket it in there and when to give a better touch.”

Continuing the insightful note, Lawton knows his weaknesses on the field, “Identifying single coverage. I had trouble picking up disguised coverages at times. Last season Poly Long Beach and Lakewood did a good job of that. I’m working to improve my recognition of the different coverages for the upcoming season.”

For a high school player that followed the play of Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater, Lawton believes his strengths under center include “passing accuracy, being versatile under center and in shotgun.”

What attributes of Bridgewater’s game do you like?

“I learn more from college quarterbacks because they are one level up. I like how Bridgewater handled pressure, his pocket presence, and accuracy. He always seems calm on the field. He’s just a great quarterback.”

Before the 2014 season starts Lawton is making the rounds to soak up as much knowledge and tutelage of the game as he can. Competing with and against the best has brought out the best in him. This summer the Long Beach native has plans to attend college camps at UC Davis, Fresno State, San Diego State, UCLA, UNLV, San Jose State, and USC.

Before taking off on the college camp circuit Lawton made the short drive up from Long Beach to Los Angeles for the EFN camp. When asked about the experience the young talent liked the opportunity to compete. “One of the best camps I’ve been to so far. A lot of competition between the players and a lot of smack talking making it more competitive. Definitely one of the funnest and best camps I’ve been to so far.”

When asked about winning MVP honors Lawton gives an honest opinion, “Just excited, and surprised. I honestly didn’t know they were giving an MVP award. It was an honor to win it.”

Millikan head coach Lynn Perryman is putting a bigger load on Lawton’s shoulders in 2014, a challenge the junior will be ready to handle. “I will have gone from just a role player to captain. Last year it was hard to get into the captain role now they are looking at me to be a field general leader not just a quarterback.”

Lawton hopes to master Perryman’s no-huddle spread offense that typically features the running back. With two running backs, Anthony Carswell and Donald Gordon, returning after earning All Moore League honors Lawton wants to show the Rams are more than just a running team. To earn the coaches’ trust Lawton is doing the little things to be a team leader, “I try to set examples, work hard, and take extra time before or after practice to go over things I need to do for next season.”

When asked how the Rams can be successful next year Lawton has the answer, “Start off strong. If we start off strong the confidence of the team will get a boost. If we win the first couple of games our confidence will be at a high and we’ll put up a fight against anyone at that point.”

What are the strengths of the Rams in 2014?

“Our defense and skill guys have gotten a lot better. Our depth chart too. We don’t have depth at lineman coming back but they are working a lot harder than last year. The linemen are not a strength of the team yet but it will be later on.”

Millikan must replace the loss of First-Team All Moore offensive linemen Jacob Tyra and Fernando Viramontes.

Lawton has seen the transformation of the Rams from early 2013 to present, “We’re winning and our work ethic has changed. We now work harder to achieve those high expectations. We’ve gone from everyone’s homecoming team to the team that is expected to win.”

When asked what drives Lawton on and off the football field more insight comes out from the young man. “A cluster of things have inspired me. I’ve learned to take one thing at a time and not look to far ahead. Support from my parents, coaches, and teammates have been an inspiration for me. They’ve stuck with me through the thin and rough of my football career.

When asked about his favorite part of playing football Lawton echoes a team concept found throughout his interview, “My teammates. When you are on and off the field you have 30-40 brothers.”

Millikan is a young team learning to play the game and learning how to win. An overall record of 5-4 may not scream an amazingly successful season on paper but a season, nor a program, is built on paper. With the help of Lawton, Carswell, and Gordon, along with the rest of the Rams roster, Millikan seems to be headed in the right direction under head coach Lynn Perryman. Look for the Rams to continue their newfound success in 2014 putting all homecoming game schedulers on notice.

Photo credit: hudl.com; Jordan Lawton drops back to pass.