Spotlight on Vinny Miller
Payton Shiver
September 25, 2009
Filed under Fall Sports, Sports
Your starting varsity running back has a shoulder injury, and a fierce rival with ARC must be fought on Friday. But just who can fill Demarcus Rouse’s shoes? Coach Dan Pippin puts his faith in sophomore Vinny Miller to perform. Not once during the intense rivalry does a shadow of doubt ever cross Coach Pippin’s face. Miller responds with 103 yards and a touchdown in the North Augusta victory at ARC. Not bad for a blazingly-fast fifteen-year-old sophomore.
“Vinny is the fastest man alive,” says senior Charles Coleman.
Miller definitely considers his speed one of his strengths but adds, “I don’t really have a weakness when I step on the field…Spanish class is a whole different story.”
One of Vinny’s goals this season is to obtain one-thousand rushing yards, and his long term goal is set on college play.
This speedy sophomore’s most memorable moment to date is when he and senior Rick Griffin pulled off the famous fake-punt-touchdown play against South Aiken. “Oh, Coach Pippin was not very happy with that,” comments teammate Byron Thomas. “But it was a real good play all in all. Coach Pippin ended up happy with it.”
Vinny says Coach Dan Pippin is his inspiration, and in one word describes his coach as “determined.”
Before each game, Miller eats a healthy serving of some southern spaghetti, and listens to music to get ready for the night. When not on the field, he is usually hanging out with his brother, James.
Vinny Miller is young, fast, and promising; definitely someone to keep an eye on this season and in upcoming years. At any remaining North Augusta football game this season, listen for the student section chanting “Vinny Miller!”and share the elation Miller feels. “That’s my favorite part of the game. The cheers of the crowd.”
