Kobe Bryant once said in a press conference – “Everything negative- pressure, challenges – is all an opportunity for me to rise.”
For this year’s version of the Meadowbrook football team and its senior running back, Jace Miller, that statement holds a lot of weight.
The Miller family is an athletic one. Jace’s older brother, Justin, starred for Meadowbrook in 2014 and is a redshirt freshman at Virginia Union. Their sister, Jazmine, was a standout track athlete for the Monarchs. Athletic challenges pale in comparison to the biggest challenge they have faced – one that through tragedy has brought them closer as a family and with their mother, Erica. The family lost their father and husband in 2011 when John Miller passed away.
“It was hard,” Jace said. “I think about every night how much I miss him, and I look up at the sky before every game and know that he’s watching.”
Dad has been watching as Meadowbrook has turned their season around, reeling off three straight wins over Matoaca, Thomas Dale and Prince George. Playing a harsh schedule, Meadowbrook started 0-3, then fell to 2-4 after a loss to Hopewell. First-year coach Adam Tiller had a simple message for his boys.
“I told them they could tuck their tails and call it a year, or they could go in the other direction and become a team,” said Tiller.
Miller’s quiet example and quick legs have helped his team climb out of darker times. Practices had gotten snippy, and difficulties with learning a new offensive system boiled over. Tiller made the decision to suspend some players, and dismiss others.
“After Hopewell, we got back to playing football,” said Tiller.
Tiller spoke of Miller’s work ethic, one that his father, John worked to instill in all three of his children before his passing, and one that the Miller childrens’ mother has worked tirelessly to keep alive.
“They know I won’t tolerate school issues (poor grades) or disrespect,” said Erica. “But there are no words to describe how proud I am, and how unimaginably strong the boys have been.”
Football started at a young age for Jace and Justin. Jace was put on the minors team earlier than expected, skipping flag. Starting at quarterback, he made the move to running back at 12 years old.
In 2014, Justin and Jace shared the same backfield for then coach Troy Taylor.
This season, Jace has carried the lion’s share of the offensive load, rushing for 1,001 yards and nine touchdowns through nine games. The senior has yet to fumble, and has also thrown two touchdown passes. As the team has gelled, Miller has seemingly gotten stronger, rushing for 438 yards and four scores during Meadowbrook’s current winning streak. That winning streak has got them on the cusp of qualifying for the 5A South playoffs.
A rematch with Highland Springs, the team that Meadowbrook nearly upset in the first round last year could be looming. Another potential match-up is with L.C. Bird, a school that’s just five miles down the road from Mack D. Moore stadium.
“Playing either team would be exciting,” Miller said. “But Highland Springs was the last game I got to play with my brother.”
The soft-spoken brothers have always had an excellent relationship. Unlike some families where sibling rivalry is prevalent, their mother said that they have always had the attitude of putting each other first.
That same mindset is what Meadowbrook has moved towards and adopted in 2015. That idea will be vital for the Monarchs’ success this weekend and potentially, the postseason. John Miller will be watching and he’ll be proud.
Meadowbrook travels to Dinwiddie on Friday for the conclusion of the regular season. Kick-off is at 7 p.m. Follow @VNewsSports for live updates of the game.
