Protect the brotherhood
A representative of the Millsap Bulldogs and the attitude toward 2025 is the charismatic senior linebacker Luke Camarillo. Calling himself and the team“ dawgs,” Camarillo returns from a torn ACL injury three months ahead of schedule.
“ I’ ve been doing this well over 20 years and I have never seen a young man as committed or pour as much into rehab and recovery as he did,” Millsap Head Coach Jacob Johnson said about one of his leaders.
Camarillo uplifted his brothers throughout 2024 on the sideline, where Millsap made the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, the sixth time in the last seven years.
A loss to Tolar in the 3A Div. II bi-district round marked a 4-7 record for the Bulldogs that had great individual play, but struggled to consistently put it together as a team, linebacker / guard Grayson Hunkapiller noted.
“ As a group, we weren’ t all set on the same goal,” he said.
Moreover, the schedule did no favors to Millsap. Seven of the 11 teams they faced were top 10 in the state, including two of their non-district opponents in Hamilton and Paradise.
Having another opportunity against the tough competition, the Bulldogs plan to write a different chapter to their story in 2025, sensing much more togetherness and selflessness within the program.
“ To be the best, you gotta beat the best,” said Johnson.“ The chemistry that I have seen develop amongst our team, it’ s a testament to what I believe about this senior class. I could not be more excited about a group of young men to start practice.”
The program’ s potential begins with a lighter senior class. Camarillo, Hunkapiller and tight end / linebacker Dillon Clay are part of an experienced group that will be leaned on by a large number of sophomores.
20 FIRST DOWN | AUGUST 2025