Littleton – Ryan Miller called it a “big honor.”
What else could there be for a big player?
The Columbine senior has been named Colorado’s Gatorade football player of the year, joining an illustrious list of in-state schoolboys chosen since the award was instituted in 1985. Miller also is eligible to become Gatorade’s national player of the year. Colorado has had one, and he was a lineman, too – center Jeff Byers of Loveland (2003), now at the University of Southern California.
“It’s definitely something special,” Miller said. “I’m honored to be selected for that award. … I really can’t say that much more about it.”
At 6-feet-7 and 285 pounds, Miller let his size and play do his talking in 2006.
The Rebels began the season with a stunning 18-3 setback to Lakewood, which was making its first appearance in big-school play since 1989, then gradually improved – as did Miller. He picked up his game, particularly on defense, as Columbine went on to win eight straight regular-season games as well as the inaugural Class 5A South Metro League championship.
In the playoffs, the Rebels and Miller were even better. They surrendered only 29 points in defeating five postseason foes, including a dramatic 13-10 victory over previously undefeated Mullen in the title game last Saturday at Invesco Field at Mile High.
It was Columbine’s fourth title since 1999 and Miller was a huge part of it.
“He really lived up to everything he was supposed to be,” Columbine coach Andy Lowry said. “He was on the cover of everything and he had so much attention. It was tough, but he handled it.”
Miller, featured at left offensive tackle, also was a considerable force on defense at end. Lowry asked more of his senior star, who passed on Notre Dame in favor of orally committing to the University of Colorado, and Miller delivered.
He turned in a memorable play in the first quarter Saturday, when he ran down Mullen’s Phil Morelli after an 80-yard run from the Mustangs’ 7-yard line to the Columbine 13. Two plays later, Mullen fumbled and Columbine protected its 7-0 lead in one of the game’s significant momentum changes.
Said Miller: “There definitely was a higher being pushing me on that play; there were other people pushing me.”
And Miller pressured Mullen quarterback Clint Brewster into a game-saving interception by Rebels teammate C.J. Gillman in the closing moments.
“How fitting was that?” Lowry asked.
Miller has elite company. Previous Colorado Gatorade winners: Darrin Muilenburg, Lakewood, 1985; Scott Lockwood, Fairview, 1986; Jerry Dunn, Mullen, 1987; Bernie Legette, Mitchell, 1988; Ernest Williams, Rangeview, 1989; Clint Moore, Longmont, 1990; Greg Jones, John F. Kennedy, 1991; Scott Bentley, Overland, 1992; Ryan Clement, Mullen, 1994; Damian Brown, Eaglecrest, 1994; Darnell McDonald, Cherry Creek, the state’s only two-time winner, 1995-96; Steve Cutlip, Arvada West, 1997; Bo Scaife, Mullen, 1998; Marcus Houston, Thomas Jefferson, 1999; Justin Holland, Bear Creek, 2000; Zach Latimer, Gateway, 2001; LenDale White, 2002; Byers, 2003; Jesse White, Mullen, 2004; and Lamarr Houston, Doherty, 2005.
“It sure is something special,” Miller said.
