Sports
Miller’s Resurgence
By: Duncan Goldberg, Russ Heltman
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The Miller Falcons came into the 2015 season as an afterthought, having compiled a 1-9 record the season prior.
Now the script has flipped and Miller has quadrupled its 2014 win total just five weeks into the season. The Falcons have turned over a new leaf and are making no excuses this time around.
Last year’s Falcons had excuses to lag behind, including boasting an extremely youthful roster and not establishing a firm identity.
The 2014 Falcons were a team full of excuses, the biggest being they were simply to young to compete with teams like Trimble and Belpre, the team was predominantly made up of freshman and sophomores and lacked a strong identity.
Fast forward one season and those young players are now one year wiser and better able to lead. Miller now has an identity: a time-hogging, ground-and-pound style of football, spearheaded by senior running back Kody McKinniss and junior Cole Geil. The dynamic duo has also been tasked leading a team which still boasts many young players.
With established leadership in place, the entire team’s attitude has shifted for the better. More players showed up for voluntary workouts and they have put in more work in the weight room. The extra work has led to more consistency and eventually, more points on the scoreboard. Prior to Friday’s loss to Trimble, Miller averaged 30 points per contest.
The fast start has not only the players excited, but also the entire community of Corning, Ohio, The small town has rallied around the team during its 4-1 start and players have taken note, citing larger and louder crowds at games this season.
Though the conference title is now Trimble’s to lose, Miller can hang its hat on what has already been a turnaround season, but loftier goals lie on the horizon.