South's Millan revved up and ready to go

On snap of the ball Marc Millan shoots off the left edge of the defensive line and into the offense's backfield like a high-revving Formula One car bursting from the starting line.

The fullback steps up to stop Millan's acceleration. What ensues sounds much like a race car crashing into a brick wall at high speed.

Only the brick wall gives way, the fullback falling back after colliding with Millan.

Millan continues his charge after unloading the thunderous hit, and he strips the ball from the running back.

The defensive end delivered the defining moment of last week's South scrimmage in preparation for the Brea Lions All-Star Football Game at Orange Coast College on Friday. Kickoff is 7:15 p.m.

"There's not much to say," said Millan, a recent Mission Viejo High graduate. "That's how I go every play."

Diablos teammate and South center Alec Davis knows it well. The South coach, John Shipp, and his players are learning it. And come Friday, the North will likely discover it.

"He has a crazy motor that never stops," Davis said. "He's very disruptive. He comes with a lot of jukes to get around the big guys."

Millan built an impressive resume during his senior campaign at Mission Viejo, where he helped the Diablos capture the South Coast League championship and reach the CIF-SS Pac-5 Division semifinals.

He earned All-CIF and All-County and all-league first-team honors. His main job was getting to the quarterback – he had 14 sacks – but he contributed everywhere.

Millan caught the touchdown pass that brought Mission Viejo within 19-18 against Servite in the final minute of the Pac-5 semifinals before the Diablos went for the 2-point conversion and were stopped.

He is also a long snapper, a valuable commodity in an all-star game.

"He could even play fullback," Shipp said. "He said, 'Coach, put me out there so I can crack somebody.'

"The kid brings it."

Millan said he has been competitive as long as he can remember, and he has loved football like nothing else since starting the sport in fifth grade. He is excited about representing Mission Viejo one last time in Friday's all-star game, but it won't be the end of the line.

Millan hasn't finalized his college plans yet, but he is considering going to Orange Coast College with Davis.

"I definitely still love the sport as much as when I first started in pads," Millan said. "I want to get to the next level as fast as possible and get to a good Division I school."

At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, Millan is ideally built to play linebacker in college. However, on Friday, he'll being lining at defensive end, while his close friend, Erik Nelson of Tesoro, lines up at the other end position.

Those two speed-rushers should pose problems for North's offensive line. While Millan turned in the defensive highlight of last week's scrimmage, he did not overshadow Nelson.

Nelson recorded a sack on Edison quarterback Matt Viles and also forced a fumble.

In Friday's all-star game, where blitzing is not allowed, quick ends can make an impact.

"With Millan on one edge and me on the other, we have a real quick defense," Nelson said. "Marc likes to hit and he's real quick off the ball."

Millan was at it again during Monday's practice.

He raced across the field to chase down Dana Hills quarterback Josh Dean, sacked Viles without being touched and delivered a hit that stood up Santa Ana Valley's Darius Nacoste in the backfield.

The only person capable of stopping Millan in practice? That has been Shipp.

"It's to a point where it's like, 'Dude, I have to get other guys reps,' " Shipp said. "He wants to play."

The chance comes Friday night.

The North will try to find a way to stall Millan's engine.

Failure to do so will result in spectacular smashes – ball carriers be warned – and all that will be left is for Millan to take a victory lap holding the checkered flag.

"I'm very, very excited," Millan said. "I've been waiting a long time. I'm glad it's coming up. The team is going to put on a show."