Dylan Miller didn’t listen.
Told by former Starkville Academy kicker Sam Cox to wear mismatched cleats, Miller shrugged off the advice.
Then one of his cleats broke during a game.
Ever since, the right-footed Volunteers kicker and punter has donned a white football cleat on his left foot and a sleek black soccer cleat on his right.
And in Friday’s 17-7 win over Lamar School, Miller’s footwear was far from the flashiest thing about his game. Miller made a 41-yard field goal, had a punt of 62 yards (and two others more than 50) and made both extra point tries.
“It’s really just my job,” he said. “It’s what I’m supposed to do. It’s really not any different from any other night.”
Volunteers coach Chase Nicholson said Miller’s success is a credit to how hard he’s worked since junior high school. Every morning before school, Miller practiced kicks on the field with his mother retrieving the football for him each time.
“He’s dedicated to his craft, and it’s showing up,” Nicholson said.
— Theo DeRosa
Stillman sees big picture at New Hope
It’s been a strange season for New Hope. Total points shows the Trojans have allowed 15 more points than they have scored in eight games, and the logical assumption was they have played in a lot of close games.
About that …
In fact, New Hope’s 20-14 loss to Cleveland Central on Friday night was easily the tightest game the Trojans have played all year. They have won three games by shutout and lost three games by shutout, with the other game a 28-14 loss to Lake Cormorant.
So what do we make of the Trojans’ 4-5 record heading into the finale at Saltillo? (One win was via forfeit.) Seth Stillman, in his first year as head coach after three as the Trojans’ defensive coordinator, can sense things are heading in the right direction, especially after 1-11, 3-9 and 2-8 records the past three seasons. Still, it’s not easy to think about that right after leaving the field after a tough defeat.
“It’s hard for a kid sometimes,” said Stillman, who saw his seniors getting emotional after the game. “It’s all about the scoreboard. It’s all about the wins and losses and what have you done for me lately. They’re going to have to go to school Monday, and everybody’s going to know they lost.”
Offense has been the issue for the Trojans in recent years; they have scored 45, 64 and 78 points in the past three seasons. This year, the Trojans have put up 125 points and have a Saltillo team allowing 38.3 points per game left on the schedule.
Stillman credits offensive coordinator Cameron Olsen for the improvement. “He’s an unbelievable offensive coordinator and play caller,” Stillman said.
And Stillman thinks his players, despite a third consecutive year without a playoff game (the 2018 Trojans got in at 1-11 in a five-team 4A-4 because Leake County went winless), have a sense of where the program is.
“We’re building, and we’re heading in the right direction,” Stillman said. “They know. You can tell.”
— Tom Rysinski
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 33 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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