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Valley’s Logan Miller One of Youngest Coaches in W.Va.

By CODY TOMER

Staff Writer

PINE GROVE — There are many all-time greats who have gotten their start at a young age. Mike Tomlin was the youngest NFL coach to win a Super Bowl at the age of 36 when he led the Steelers to a victory in Super Bowl XLIII, and Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was just 23 years old when he collected his first Lombardi Trophy.

Perhaps Valley High’s new head football coach Logan Miller can also have great success at a young age.

Miller is in his first season as at the high school level and at the age of 27, is one of the youngest head football coaches in the state of West Virginia.

“I am young but I have a great coaching staff here with me,” Miller said. “They have been a great help to me. I really don’t feel like I am just 27 with those guys helping me along the way.”

Miller has been an assistant coach at Valley for the last three years and coached the seventh and eighth grade basketball and football teams before making the jump to the varsity staff.

“I connect with my players,” Miller said. “I coached them in seventh and eighth grade so I have been moving up the ranks with them and it is going great so far. I am a young and energetic coach so I run around at practice with them and it has been a lot of fun.”

Although Miller is young, he is no stranger to Valley sports. He was the quarterback for the Lumberjacks in his high school days before graduating from Valley in 2007.

For most young men taking over the helm, it may be a lot to take on. However, his experience leading the team behind center might have been what has helped prepare Miller for this opportunity.

“I am from the area so everyone knows me and treats me well,” he said. “When you play quarterback, you have to learn everyone’s position and what they need to be doing, and now as a coach I have to know all of the positions so that has helped me in that aspect of the game.”

Not only did playing the quarterback position under the lights of Valley help Miller understand the game of football but so did his mentor. Shane Highley, who coached for two years at Valley with Miller next to him on the sidelines, has also been a key influence in getting Miller to this point in his career.

“I was lucky enough to be an assistant coach under Highley,” Miller said of his mentor. “He is a great coach and he really helped turn this program around. He has been a great influence for me and he is still helping me now.”

At just 27 years old, Miller has the experience of a seasoned vet. With his time on and off the field surrounded by great leaders, a young man with high hopes and dreams could not ask for more.

“I have always wanted to be a football coach somewhere,” Miller said. “I am just glad that I am getting the chance to coach at Valley, my alma mater. It is very exciting, although I was sad to see Highley step down, I have known these kids for a long time and I am happy to continue coaching them.”

Not only has Miller learned from coaches on his own sideline, but he now has the chance to walk in the footsteps of his friend Josh Sims, who led the Blue Eagles to a state championship victory last year and became the youngest coach in West Virginia when he put on the headset at Magnolia, before stepping down before this season.

“I think it is pretty neat to be (one of) the youngest in the state of West Virginia,” Miller said. “My best friend Josh Sims was the youngest when he took over at Magnolia so hopefully I can resemble what he did when he took over.”

Offensive Players of the Week

Rennie Clark, Wheeling Park

The junior running back ran wild in a victory against Brooke. Clark carried 28 times for a career-high 283 yards and scored on runs of 4, 9 and 41 yards as the Patriots rolled in the second half.

Shane Smolenak, Union Local

Did a little bit of everything to help the Jets remain unbeaten. Smolenak carried 12 times for 118 yards and three touchdowns while completing 10 of 16 for 177 yards and two more scores.

Defensive Players of the Week

John Burkhalter, Wheeling Central

Whether it be on offense or defense, Burkhalter has the ability to affect a game that few do. This week it was on defense where there returning first team all-state defensive back intercepted three passes.

Aaron Robinson, Indian Creek

Was all over the field in a victory against St. Clairsville. Robinson was charted with 10.5 tackles, a pass breakup, a blocked field goal, a forced fumble and half a sack.

Ground Gainers

∫ Casey Lewis, Fort Frye: Ran up 224 yards and five touchdowns on 16 carries.

∫ Dawson Wear, Wheeling Central: Carried eight times for 147 yards in a victory.

∫ Tyson Camsky, Bellaire: Carried 13 times for 109 yards and two scores.

∫ Michael Starcher, Cameron: Ran the ball 25 times for 125 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns.

∫ Brian McWhorter, Union Local: Chewed up 119 yards on 14 carries and scored a touchdown.

∫ Brandon Hall, Parkersburg South: The quarterback ran for a game-high 135 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.

∫ Jacob Bernard, Steubenville: Carried 26 times for 143 yards and scored on a 1-yard run.

∫ Caide Bunfill, Barnesville: Rushed for 122 yards and a pair of scores as the Shamrocks rolled.

∫ Travis Dille, Clay-Battelle: Rumbled for 132 yards and two touchdowns.

∫ Jace Reed, Tyler Consolidated: Made the most of his seven carries, gaining 134 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Air Raid

∫ Jarrett Hooper, Monroe Central: Completed 12 of 20 for 170 yards and two touchdowns.

∫ Zach Bigelow, St. Clairsville: Was good on 15 of 25 for 191 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

∫ Isaac Rine, Wheeling Central: Threw seven times, completing four for 107 yards and a TD.

∫ Aaron Heasley, Paden City: Only threw four passes in a blowout victory, but completed three for 110 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

∫ Griffin Phillips, Tyler Consolidated: Missed only once in 11 passes, throwing for 184 yards and four scores.

∫ Javon Davis, Steubenville: Was good on 8 of 12 for 169 yards and two touchdowns.

∫ Wyatt Hirt, Linsly: Completed 5 of 16 for 119 yards and two touchdowns.

∫ Troy Pontius, Buckeye Trail: Connected on 8 of 14 for 146 yards and a score.

∫ Mason Ramsay, Bellaire: Went 7-for-12 for 101 yards and three scores.

∫ Tanner Burnette, Clay-Battelle: Completed 11 of 18 for 214 and four touchdowns.

∫ Jared Moore: Completed 6 of 12 for 11 yards and a TD.

∫ Johnny Agresta, Steubenville: Splitting duties, completed 6 of 8 for 115 and two touchdowns.

∫ Logan Williams, Brooke: Completed 9 of 19 for 157 yards and two touchdowns in his first varsity start.

∫ Billy Johnson, Shadyside: Was true on 19 of 30 for 257 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

∫ Cross Wilkinson, Wheeling Park: Completed 15 of 20 for 197 yards and four touchdowns.

∫ Wyatt Elias, Harrison Central: Made good on 8 of 17 for 162 yards and a pair of scores.

Good-Hands Team

∫ Chris Yachini, Brooke: Made six catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns.

∫ Bray Price, Wheeling Central: Hauled in three passes for 98 yards and a touchdown.

∫ Ryan LoFollette, Monroe Central: Caught three passes for 73 yards and a touchdown.

∫ Tyler Anderson, Tyler Consolidated: Hauled in six passes for 109 yards and three TDs.

∫ Logan Williams, St. Clairsville: Made three receptions for 63 yards and a score.

∫ Mazei Mosby, Wheeling Park: Latched on to four catches for 69 yards and a score.

∫ J.C. Custer, Bishop Donahue: Was on the receiving end of seven passes, good for 144 yards and a touchdown.

∫ Justyn Keyser, Bellaire: Was on receiving end of five passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns.

∫ Chase Wade, Shadyside: Made four catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns.

∫ Nate Phillips, Wheeling Park: Made seven catches for 66 yards and two scores.

∫ Kaelan Hannahs, Barnesville: Hauled in five passes for 80 yards and a touchdown.

Wrecking Crew

∫ Mike Shreves, Paden City: Was in on 10 tackles and also registered a sack.

∫ Michael Niggemyer, Wheeling Central: He recovered a fumble and returned an interception for a touchdown.

∫ Carter Streiff, Buckeye Trail: Was everywhere, picking up 18 tackles — 16 solos — and one for a loss.

∫ Devin Eakle, Cody Allen, Austin Rawson, Logan Wilson, Indian Creek: Eakle made 9.5 stops, a fumble recovery and had a hurry. Allen charted eight tackles, a sack and a hurry. Rawson was credited with eight tackles, a hurry and a breakup. Wilson made seven tackles — two for losses — and forced a pair of fumbles.

∫ Bobby O’Donnell, Monroe Central: Made nine stops — one behind the line — and recorded a sack and recovered two fumbles.

∫ Zach Torbett, Scotty Meagie, Wheeling Park: Each recorded 10 tackles including one for a loss. Torbett added a sack and broke up a pass.

∫ Nick Coulter, John Marshall: Was in on 13 solos and seven assists.

∫ Chase Street, Magnolia: Was charted with four solos, two assists, a sack and a tackle for a loss.

∫ Vic Giovengo, Linsly: Credited with seven tackles — one for a loss — in limited action.

∫ Harrison Nick, Luke Lemasters, Junior Holmes, Bishop Donahue: Nick registered a team-high 14 tackles including one for a loss. Lemasters had 10 tackles and half a sack. Holmes made eight stops — three for loss — to go along with 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.

∫ David McConn Jr., Bellaire: Recorded 4.5 tackles — four solos — to go with 1.5 sacks and 2.5 stops for a loss.

∫ Thomas Coyne, Bridgeport: Made a team-high 12,5 stops in a losing effort.

Mr. Everything

∫ Greg Wade, Indian Creek: Carried 17 times for 82 yards and a touchdown, completed 4 of 6 for 60 yards and recovered a fumble.

∫ Shane Smolenak, Union Local:

∫ Jimmy Hull, Bishop Donahue: Threw for 243 yards and a touchdown on 17 of 22 accuracy. Also rushed 10 times for 78 yards and another score.

∫ Colby Brown, Cameron: Completed 6 of 19 for 170 yards and a score while also rushing for 27 yards and another TD.

∫ Tyler West, Harrison Central: Ran for 98 yards on 27 carries and caught a 51-yard touchdown pass.

∫ Matthew Burkhart, Barnesville: Rushed for 102 yards and three touchdowns while completing 6 of 11 for 77 yards and a TD.

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