Miller’s Join Forces One More Time, At Lezzer Lumber Classic (06/18/16)

Recent Clarion Area graduate, Brendan “Bo” Miller and his father Scott “Scooter” Miller got to share one last thrill on the gridiron, in Friday’s (June 17th) Central Pennsylvania Football Coaches Association’s Lezzer Lumber Classic.

Coach/Dad Scott Miller and Brendan with scholarship certificate

Brendan was a defensive back for the North Squad and Scott was on the sideline, as an assistant coach in the 32nd Annual game, held this year at Mansion Park in Altoona.

In a nice surprise, Scott was recently appointed to the staff, when a vacancy for a defensive backs coach arose, which presented the opportunity for one last hurrah for the duo.

Though the South squad won the game 37-15, Brendan had a fine performance. My unofficial stats have Brendan with five tackles, one on the one yard line stopping a South player just short of a touchdown. He had several pass defenses, including one in the endzone, also stopping the South from scoring on the play.

Brendan, along with a teammate blocked a punt. He also blocked a field goal try, at the end of the first half. But the try was replayed, because of an inadvertent whistle. Penalties gave the South several more chances to convert, which they did. Brendan missed blocking one of them again, by mere inches. He also blocked an extra point.

Brendan, in action, during Lezzer Lumber Classic

It was a great way for Brendan to end his scholastic athletic career. But he had one final honor, being awarded one of the Lezzer Lumber scholarships, which were handed out, during the ceremony at the end of the game. There were a number of other scholarships, by various contributors, awarded also.

Scott Miller had this to say, after the game, “It was a heck of a week. It was a lot of fun, being able to coach all these guys that pick up the game just like that.

“Having one more game coaching Brendan was pretty awesome. Tonight was weird. I went into this thinking I was just coaching another game. But it was probably a little more emotional at times, realizing that it was the last one, that I’m coaching him. Hopefully not the last one I’m watching him play, but the last one being down there with him.

Some of those attending the game, supporting Brendan: Ron Rapp, Tracy Rapp, Colton Rapp, Spencer Miller and Laura Miller

“But it was a lot of fun, great week, great group of kids here, great group of coaches. We had a lot of fun. The kids all worked hard. It was just pretty awesome.

“He (Brendan) played great. It almost got to the point, at the end, where I was sort of nitpicking on things, ‘Read that run quicker. React on that quicker.’ But he flew to the ball. As usual, he controlled the secondary, making calls, making sure guys were in position. Can’t say enough about that. Pretty awesome.”

Brendan summed up the Lezzer Classic experience this way, “Practice was a lot of fun, met a lot of good guys. Just had a lot of fun with them. It’s nice playing with all these guys going on to play college football, kind of getting me ready for next year. It was a great week.

Brendan with the other scholarship recipients

“A good game (I had) a few tackles, a couple pass breakups. Blocked the extra point and blocked the field goal.

“And the scholarship will be helpful too. Brendan said, “Good add on money to help pay for the next upcoming years.”

Congratulations to Brendan and Scott on this fitting finale to your time on the field together!!!!