Before the big rushing seasons and the touchdowns and before anyone would call Friday night at 7 “Miller Time,” Darrian Miller was a sophomore running back on the Blue Springs High School varsity football team. And he wasn’t exactly beaming with confidence. “I was skeptical my sophomore year because honestly I didn’t know I was even going to start,” Miller said. “I mean, there were two seniors who wanted to play running back, and they were both talented people. But Coach told me it was mine and, I don’t know, I kind of just had to earn it.” OK. Maybe that makes sense. After all, Miller was an underclassman competing for a glamour position on one of the city’s most recognizable teams. Not only did Miller earn a spot, but also he became an all-state running back. So surely entering this junior season, Miller, at 5 feet 10 and 185 pounds, would return assured of himself and his position as an elite player, right? Well … “I’ve never been down on myself, but I really did step into this year thinking it was going to be a down year for me,” Miller said with a soft tone as Blue Springs coaches talked over game plans against tonight’s Missouri Class 6 state semifinal opponent, DeSmet Jesuit. “Because I came out a little bit last year, I thought, ‘Oh well, that was it.’&ensp;” Miller may be a prospective player for The Star’s All-Metro football player of the year award, but he often sounds like a prime candidate for Stuart Smalley daily affirmations. Seated in the team’s video room, his black and purple Colorado Rockies fitted cap pulled low, Miller stresses that he’s not struggling from a self-confidence issues but rather he likes keeping a low profile. Or tries to. “I’ve known him since fourth grade and played on the same teams since then,” close friend and teammate Jordan Nubine said. “Everybody knew that, hey, that kid is going to be good when he grows up, and he’s living up to it.” It’s hard not to drink your own Kool-Aid once you’re the inspiration for the popular Blue Springs T-shirt that reads “Miller Time.” The attention only expands once you’ve rushed for 2,408 yards and 33 touchdowns during your junior season. And imagine the excitement after you carry the ball 36 times for 189 yards against your school’s rival, Rockhurst, last Friday night and lead the team to a game-winning field goal as time expires. That’s Darrian Miller, who carries his own hype extinguisher everywhere he goes. “Honestly, I just think there’s so much with other people putting me up that I have to tell myself to be down or I wouldn’t be able to fit through the door. It’ll be that bad,” Miller said. “I have to keep myself down.” These personal rebukes underscore Miller’s lighthearted personality. Nubine recalls a story when Miller was recognized by a teenage fan in the mall, but denied that he was the Blue Springs running back and pretended to be an All-American golfer. And Miller says he never keeps articles written about his Friday night performances and then sheepishly apologizes for tossing the newspapers when he remembers he’s talking to a reporter. “It’s really weird,” Miller said. “I don’t try to think of myself being better than anyone. It’s pretty much just God put me here to run the ball. … I’ve got really good people around me who (keep me grounded).” But he does a good job of grounding Miller Time as well. During a recent video session when Blue Springs offensive starters watched highlights of their opponent’s defense, a random clip of a DeSmet running back streaking down the sideline for a big gain appeared on the projector. A perfect opportunity for some teasing, so a Blue Springs assistant coach seized the moment and blurted out: “Best back in the state, I heard.” Gasps and laughter filled the room while Miller smiled then replied. “Yeah, you’re right,” he said. “I think so.”

Posted on Thu, Nov. 19, 2009 10:26 PM

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Friday nights the right time for Blue Springs’ Miller

By CANDACE BUCKNER

The Kansas City Star

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“I was skeptical my sophomore year because honestly I didn’t know I was even going to start,” Miller said. “I mean, there were two seniors who wanted to play running back, and they were both talented people. But Coach told me it was mine and, I don’t know, I kind of just had to earn it.”

OK. Maybe that makes sense. After all, Miller was an underclassman competing for a glamour position on one of the city’s most recognizable teams. Not only did Miller earn a spot, but also he became an all-state running back. So surely entering this junior season, Miller, at 5 feet 10 and 185 pounds, would return assured of himself and his position as an elite player, right?

Well …

“I’ve never been down on myself, but I really did step into this year thinking it was going to be a down year for me,” Miller said with a soft tone as Blue Springs coaches talked over game plans against tonight’s Missouri Class 6 state semifinal opponent, DeSmet Jesuit. “Because I came out a little bit last year, I thought, ‘Oh well, that was it.’ ”

Miller may be a prospective player for The Star’s All-Metro football player of the year award, but he often sounds like a prime candidate for Stuart Smalley daily affirmations. Seated in the team’s video room, his black and purple Colorado Rockies fitted cap pulled low, Miller stresses that he’s not struggling from a self-confidence issues but rather he likes keeping a low profile. Or tries to.

“I’ve known him since fourth grade and played on the same teams since then,” close friend and teammate Jordan Nubine said. “Everybody knew that, hey, that kid is going to be good when he grows up, and he’s living up to it.”

It’s hard not to drink your own Kool-Aid once you’re the inspiration for the popular Blue Springs T-shirt that reads “Miller Time.” The attention only expands once you’ve rushed for 2,408 yards and 33 touchdowns during your junior season. And imagine the excitement after you carry the ball 36 times for 189 yards against your school’s rival, Rockhurst, last Friday night and lead the team to a game-winning field goal as time expires.

That’s Darrian Miller, who carries his own hype extinguisher everywhere he goes.

“Honestly, I just think there’s so much with other people putting me up that I have to tell myself to be down or I wouldn’t be able to fit through the door. It’ll be that bad,” Miller said. “I have to keep myself down.”

These personal rebukes underscore Miller’s lighthearted personality. Nubine recalls a story when Miller was recognized by a teenage fan in the mall, but denied that he was the Blue Springs running back and pretended to be an All-American golfer. And Miller says he never keeps articles written about his Friday night performances and then sheepishly apologizes for tossing the newspapers when he remembers he’s talking to a reporter.

“It’s really weird,” Miller said. “I don’t try to think of myself being better than anyone. It’s pretty much just God put me here to run the ball. … I’ve got really good people around me who (keep me grounded).”

But he does a good job of grounding Miller Time as well.

During a recent video session when Blue Springs offensive starters watched highlights of their opponent’s defense, a random clip of a DeSmet running back streaking down the sideline for a big gain appeared on the projector. A perfect opportunity for some teasing, so a Blue Springs assistant coach seized the moment and blurted out: “Best back in the state, I heard.”

Gasps and laughter filled the room while Miller smiled then replied.

“Yeah, you’re right,” he said. “I think so.”

To reach Candace Buckner, sports reporter at The Star, call 816-234-4389, or send e-mail cbuckner@kcstar.com

Posted on Thu, Nov. 19, 2009 10:26 PM

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