DELRAY BEACH – Based on his overall production and level of impact on every game played this past season, it was easy to select Earl Miller as our 561 Private MVP of the Year.
The South Dakota signee beat out fellow nominees Brandyn Butler (American Heritage junior athlete), Matthew James (St. Andrew’s junior athlete), and Benjamin Laurore (St. John Paul II athlete) for our most prestigious individual honor.
Also selected as our 561 Private Defensive Player of the Year, Miller is the only player in Palm Beach County to win two individual end-of-season honors from the Class of 2021.
“It is truly a honor to be recognized as the MVP in a county full of talent,” Miller said.
Miller finished his senior season at American Heritage (Delray Beach) with 48 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hits, 12 quarterback pressure, and 5.5 sacks in eight games played.
One of Miller’s best games was in Heritage’s Class 4A-Region 4 semifinal game against Lemon Bay, when he registered posted six-and-a-half tackles, three tackles for loss, and a half sack in his team’s 49-7 home win.
As a result of his big game, Miller was the first lineman in Palm Beach County to be named our MVP of the Week. His honor came in Week 11 of the 2020 season.
“I think it was well deserved because o-lineman and d-linemen never get praised,” Miller said back in November 2020.
Stallions head football coach Nick Martinez concurred, marveling at how Miller deserves to be our MVP.
“No surprise,” Martinez said. “He definitely proved he’s the best in the county this past year. I look forward to watching his continued success at the next level.”
MVP IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE
Miller is a two-sport athlete, as he has now transitioned over from football to basketball. He plays for American Heritage’s boys basketball team with fellow football teammates Desean Butler (2023) and Hayden Eugene (2022).
Butler spoke on Miller’s football honor.
“It feels good seeing an MVP player coming from our school,” Butler said. “It goes to show the work Earl has put in to be in the position that he is in now. Earl is very talented and such a good person. He deserves every bit of success that comes his way.”
In Miller’s basketball debut this season, he scored eight points to help American Heritage (1-2) take down Oxbridge Academy (0-4) in a thrilling 62-58 overtime win on Tuesday (Jan. 5). He scored the game-tying bucket with 14 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime at 53-53.
“My guard had got the turnover and I got the ball,” Miller said. “I realized it was three seconds left. They’re all screaming, ‘pass, pass, pass’. But in my head, I just went for the layup and I tied up the game.”
Miller, who also scored the go-ahead bucket in overtime, spoke on how easy it is for him to transition straight from football to basketball.
“The agility, the speed, everything,” said Miller, who plays at forward for the Stallions boys basketball team. “It helps to play two sports. It keeps me fresh.”
Stallions boys basketball head coach Andre Brown spoke about Miller’s athleticism on the court.
“I can tell you that he brings it every day,” Brown said. “He gives us strength and skill at his position because he knows he’s stronger than most, but also showing he’s a true athlete. For him, football has always been his first sport. But what I like about him is he’s a true athlete who can pretty much do it all. He’s the type of guy that will run through a wall for you.”
Brown spoke on Miller’s level of selfless leadership on the court.
“He’s willing to do whatever necessary to help the team,” Brown said. “I like how he transitions from football to basketball, which most kids can’t do well. With him, it’s easy. It’s also easy to coach players who are coachable and listen. He’s a big guy, but a teddy bear at heart…Not only is South Dakota getting a hell of a football player; they’re going to get a hell of an athlete and a guy who’s going to work the hardest. You’ll be hearing his name for a long time.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Keith Forde, Xavon Christopher, and Nekita Johnson
