The quiet running back's play has brought him out of the shadow of teammate R.J. Cobb.
By DAWN REISS
Published October 8, 2004
INVERNESS - Willie Miller has heard the punchline before, as if people think he's never seen the beer commercials.
But the way he has been playing lately, it is, indeed, Miller time at Citrus.
"My parents even nicknamed me "Bud,' Miller joked.
The running back has at times been overshadowed by best friend and teammate R.J. Cobb, but with more touches this season, he's showing what he's made of.
Miller and Cobb bring out the best in each other. The outgoing Cobb lights up the quiet, soft-spoken Miller, while Miller jokes he's the counselor who everyone feels comfortable talking to because he doesn't talk, just listens.
"Except when he needs to someone to talk to," Cobb said. "Then he comes to me."
Each keeps the other in check, especially with an occasional dig or two.
"I tell him he has a nappy head," Miller joked.
"Then I tell him he has a nappy head and he's too slow - that's why he's a fullback," Cobb retorted.
"Yeah, but I can bench more than you," Miller joked.
"Are you sure?" Cobb asked. "I've never lost to you before."
A team captain, Miller leads by example. Against Crystal River, Miller, 17, scored Citrus' last two touchdowns on runs of 1 and 16 yards, en route to a 28-0 victory. In three games, he's netted 150 yards on 19 carries, despite a passing offense driven by quarterback Walter Howard.
"When he gets out in the open, he's dangerous," said Cobb, who leads in rushing yards with 312 yards on 42 carries. "It makes it easier on me. They can't just key on me. They have to key on him too."
Against Hernando, Howard averaged 10.2 yards a carry to Cobb's 6.1.
"He's very industrious," coach Rik Haines said. "He's always looking to improve. He is the consummate team player. He doesn't care how many times he catches the ball, carries the ball; he just wants to win."
There's no slowing him down. Miller's known for his hard-nosed playing. In the offseason, he ran with a parachute to drop his time to a 4.5 in the 40. More importantly, Miller said he's learned how to be patient, stay low and see the holes for longer runs, like his high-stepping second touchdown against the Pirates. When he's not rushing on offense, he's batting down balls as a safety, like he did against Crystal River's Kyle Daquanna.
"Let's just say if we had 11 of them with his heart and attitude we wouldn't ever lose a game," Haines said. "He's a great young man, champion on the field and in the classroom."
Miller's reputation earned him Citrus student of the month. Haines said he keeps track of players who take off plays.
"We chart loafin'," Haines said. "Any time someone gets passed by a teammate, miss a play to see if players are trying. Willie doesn't have one this entire season, not one. Let's just say, if I was going to war, I'd want him in my fox hole."
