DELRAY BEACH – There should be no debate on who the best defensive player is in Palm Beach County.

American Heritage (Delray Beach) defensive end Earl Miller anchored a stout defense that allowed opponents to score an average of just 14.6 points per game. And when Miller’s team had a three-game winning streak late in the season, they allowed seven total points for an average of 2.3 points per game.

The South Dakota signee finished his senior season with 48 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hits, 12 quarterback pressure, and 5.5 sacks in eight games played.

And for our area’s No. 1-ranked defensive end and No. 1-ranked overall player in Palm Beach County, his best individual game of the season was in Week 6 against Class 2A state champion Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah). In American Heritage’s 33-27 home loss on Oct. 16, Miller recorded a total of six tackles, three sacks, and one tackle for loss.

As a result of all this, Miler would go and beat out fellow nominees Luigi de Cardenas (Cardinal Newman senior linebacker), Kalem Michel (American Heritage senior defensive tackle), and Stenton Quaye (King’s Academy senior linebacker) for the Defensive Player of the Year honor.

“No surprise there,” American Heritage head coach Nick Martinez said. “Earl is an amazing athlete who we looked to for the big play. He played defensive tackle, defensive end, and even played a couple games at offensive tackle. He’s a selfless player who is very coachable.”

PHOTO CREDITS: Keith Forde