Attitude, not size, moves Wyo’s Jack Miller to the front of the line
Jack Miller got in on a few plays at linebacker in Wyomissing’s PIAA championship game last year against Central Valley. He was confident he and the Spartans could get back there.
What he didn’t envision was his role in Saturday’s Class 3A championship: When the Spartans get the ball he’ll be down in a three-point stance at guard. When he walked out of Hersheypark Stadium a year ago he was a fullback.
“That (switch was) just totally out of the blue,” he said.
Bob Wolfrum had to replace five offensive lineman after last season. He had guys lined up to move in at the other spots. He needed a Lance guard — the pivotal blocking spot in the Wing-T, which requires smarts and footwork. He had Miller in mind.
“Jack runs very well, he hits very well and he’s really smart,” Wolfrum said. “(Any) of our fullbacks could’ve done it, (but) we thought he was the one. We knew he would have no trouble picking it up.”
Wolfrum laid it all out in January. Miller figured he might be moved to a new position on offense because Tommy Grabowski was firmly positioned to be the starting fullback. Still, he was a little shocked when he heard the words pass over Wolfrum’s lips.
“I was definitely surprised,” he said, “but I’d do anything to help the team.”
That was the key: Attitude. Miller threw himself into the project immediately, learned all the Wing blocking rules in a matter of days and hit the weight room to tack on a few extra pounds.
“The only thing you worry about (with such a switch) is how are they going to accept it,” Wolfrum said. “Are they going to really want to do it?’ He was all-in right from the get-go.”
The results are obvious: The Spartans are unbeaten and meet Central Valley Saturday at noon at Hersheypark Stadium in the championship game.
Grabowski has thrown his name up there on the long, impressive list of top Wyo fullbacks: Only Kevin Dice and Alex Anzalone have rushed for more yards in a season than Grabowski’s 1,362. Only Anzalone, Gregory Lord and Dice have scored more than Grabowski’s 26 touchdowns.
Halfback Amory Thompson has rushed for 885 yards and averages 9.3 yards per carry. Halfback Andrew Eisenhower has 853 rushing yards. The Spartans average better than 7 1/2 yards per carry as a team.
That has something to do with the guys up front. Tackle/guard Jven Williams was Berks Offensive Lineman of the Year. Aiden Mack is the All-Berks tight end. Center Julian DiMaio, guard John Gartner and Miller were each second-team all-league picks.
Miller had little trouble learning the basics of the position. He’s somewhat of a football savant. Watch him on defense, at inside linebacker, and you can see him calling out the plays before the snap. He picked up the blocking rules and mechanics of the guard position rather seamlessly.
The physical part has been the toughest for him. He goes 5-11, 175 pounds. He regularly lines up against guys 50 to 75 pounds heavier. Against Central Valley he’ll have to deal with Sean FitzSimmons, a 6-3, 280-pound tackle headed to Pitt. FitzSimmons was just named recipient of the Bill Fralic Award, as the top lineman in the WPIAL. He was a holy terror in last year’s 35-21 Central Valley victory.
Miller is unfazed by the potential assignment.
“That’s what the Wing-T’s made for, getting down, getting on hips,” he said. “You’re not always going to (be) the biggest on the field but if you get angles, have the better form, that’ll do it.”
Miller would love, just one last time, to line up at fullback and crash into the end zone. Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka used to do that with the ‘Fridge,’ William Perry, his 400-pound tackle. He let the big guy splash into the line.
Miller has planted that seed with Wolfrum but it has yet to take root. No matter. He’s more than content with his adopted offensive position. He said it has changed his whole perspective. It’s even helped him excel on the defensive end, where he was named Linebacker of the Year in Section 2 of the Berks League.
He loves nothing better now than pulling around the end to set the edge for a sweep. It’s like the old days again.
Wolfrum always tells his guys that fullbacks are just glorified guards. Miller bought in.
“I’ve come to like guard better than fullback,” he said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world now.”
10 Questions with Jack Miller
