Miller Closes High-Impact Prep Career A Star On Offense, Freeman Scotties Football Player Even Better On D

The football season ended Friday for Freeman High School and with it closed the three-year varsity career of Brandon Miller.

Miller, who two weeks ago rushed for 240 yards on just 13 carries against Kettle Falls, is the Scotties’ leading ground gainer this season.

Freeman coach John Custer said he’s also the best defensive back at any high school in the Spokane area.

“There is no better defender in town from an athletic standpoint,” said Custer. “He is more coordinated than most kids.”

Playing behind an inexperienced offensive line, Miller has used his ability to gain 708 yards on 90 carries, averaging nearly 8 yards per rush.

“I weigh as much as some of the linemen,” the 165-pound Miller said.

During last week’s loss to Colfax, Miller also had 106 yards in pass receptions, even though a touchdown of more than 40 yards was nullified.

“The ball bounced off a Colfax helmet and I ran it into the end zone,” he said.

A referee’s inadvertant whistle had blown the play dead.

In that same game, Miller returned a fumbled punt for Freeman’s lone touchdown, giving him six of Freeman’s 13 scores for the year.

But it is on defense that Miller has shone for three years.

He started at cornerback as a sophomore, teaming with his older brother Justin.

Justin is currently playing in a football association in Kelowna, B.C., after spending a year at Walla Walla Community College.

“He tried out and it was a really fun place,” said Brandon.

Miller, who was named to the first-team All-Northeast A League defensive team last season, could follow Justin to Kelowna, although he is hoping, instead, to play collegiately.

“I’d much rather go to college and play,” he said. “If I can’t play anywhere else, it’s an option.”

Custer said he believes Miller could play collegiately at the I-AA level, perhaps at a Big Sky Conference school.

He said that his three-year star has made strides emotionally over the course of his career.

“He’s grown as a person on the field,” Custer said. “There were times when he’d get upset (with opposing players or teammates) and he’s done a total turnaround. He’s helped the youngsters get better.”

Indeed, Miller credited his line with his big game in Kettle Falls when he scored three touchdowns, including on an 88-yard run.

“I made some plays but they opened big holes,” he said.

If Freeman beat Newport last night, the Scotties will have had a third-straight 3-6 season and will finish fifth in the NEA. They also will have a winning record against all but three NEA teams during Miller’s career.

He has been satisfied.

“I’ve had fun, personally,” he said. “We were picked second to last in league, but played teams tough.”

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