By Chris Parker
The first year of the Derek Hill era at Miller was a success. The football program won as many games last season (3) as the Cardinals had in the previous three seasons combined.
“The key was establishing a culture that it’s ok play football in Miller again,” Hill said. “We got a lot of kids out and they bought in to what we were trying to build. With that buy-in it created a lot of excitement in the school and community.”
Now entering his second year as head coach, Hill has a more experienced and confident roster.
“The biggest difference is the confidence throughout the entire program,” Hill said. “Everyone understands the expectations, the system and the vision whereas last year we were selling those aspects. Now we can get to coaching these kids to be the best football players they can be.”
Nine starters return on both sides of the ball for Miller.
Senior Nate Hill will be at quarterback after breaking his leg in the first quarter last season and missing the rest of the year.
Fellow seniors Caden Calvin, Owen Demster and Gavin Hendricks will see time at running back. Calvin led that group with 148 carries for 642 yards. He earned honorable mention all-conference honors for his efforts. Demster had 77 carries for 296 yards.
Jarod Lung (senior), Jack Shearer (senior), Blake Walters (junior), Owen Weiss (junior) and Jalen Madsen (sophomore) will be wide receivers with senior Brodie Rinker at tight end.
The offensive line will feature seniors Lane Kaul, Jaxon Johnson and Conner Pendleton along with junior Eli Woods and sophomores Conner Neely and Mason Neely.
That group will also be featured on the defensive line along with Demster. Demster had 82 total tackles last season. He was an honorable mention all-conference selection at linebacker.
Hendricks returns to his linebacker position where he pulled down 102 total tackles and three sacks on his way to Second-Team All-Southwest Conference honors. Colten Brown (senior), Calvin, Rinker, Nathan Cunningham (junior) and Charlie Langston (freshman) will join Hendricks on the second level.
Lung will look to be a ballhawk again in the secondary after pulling down three interceptions with 42 total tackles last season. He was named honorable mention all-conference as a defensive back. Shearer will also be in the secondary as a senior.
Walters returns as a defensive back after finishing third on the team with 78 total tackles last season. Kendal McWorther (junior), Brayden Williams (junior) and Madsen round out the back end of Miller’s defense.
A 12-player senior class will be the biggest strength for Miller heading into the season.
“We have 12 seniors that have been playing together a long time,” Hill said. “A successful season is for us to stay healthy, compete every Friday night, continue the Miller Football culture and give these kids memories to last a lifetime.”
Miller travels to Diamond on Aug. 23 for a jamboree with East Newton, El Dorado Springs and the host Wildcats. The Cardinals open the regular season on Aug. 30 at Clever.
