Amear Miller loves to make plays.
When he lines up at wide receiver, or running back, Miller looks for space to pick up big chunks of yards.
When he lines up at safety, he looks for turnovers that can change the game.
And this year, the Northeast High School senior has found a new way to completely change the momentum for his Vikings.
“This year I’m doing most of my work on special teams, I have five touchdowns and I scored three of them on kickoff returns,” said Miller, who was born in North Philadelphia and now lives in West Philly. “I scored two at receiver and three on kickoff returns. Kickoffs change the game. Once I see a team score, something changes in my body. You got to go get that back. You got to make a play for the defense. That’s what I like to do. I didn’t expect it to happen three times in a row, but I know I can do a lot on special teams.
“I feel like taking them to the house is better than scoring on offense because the play isn’t set up for you. At receiver, you have a chance to get the ball. So when we pass, I know I might get the ball. Kickoffs get the crowd more hype taking it 99 yards. It feels better. It wasn’t just me, though. It’s the whole kickoff team. They block. I have great blockers. I don’t know how I can pay them back, but I would. They help so much.”
Miller is doing his best to keep Northeast in contention in the Public League after starting the season 2-3, 1-1 in Public League play.
That’s after the Vikings loaded up their nonleague schedule, playing games against Downingtown East, Chester and Coatesville.
Miller is now all business and doing everything he can, but it wasn’t always that way.
When he first wanted to give football a chance, Miller missed his opportunity. Then, after he got one, he didn’t take full advantage of it.
“I tried and it was too late in the season when I wanted to play as a freshman,” Miller said. “I was mad, I started crying because I couldn’t play. I knew I was athletic because I played street football. Chasing each other around, I knew I was fast. I was always athletic.”
Then, he signed up for football and he wasn’t ready to make the commitment it takes to succeed at the level he hoped for.
He needed some help to keep him focused.
That’s where his family and coaches stepped in.
“My coaches definitely got me back on track,” Miller said. “They go so hard for me and my team. Especially me. I wanted to give up and my coaches got right on that situation. They talked to my mom and said I wasn’t doing what I needed to do. My mom talked to me and I got back on and locked in.
“My coaches took us so far from last year to this year. We have a bigger support system, we have better locker rooms, equipment. They are doing a lot for us and they always make sure we have what we need. We just have to go out and do it.”
Miller is doing that in all phases of the game.
Early on, his biggest contributions have been on special teams because of his game-changing speed. But he’s ready to do whatever it takes for the rest of the season to make sure the Vikings are in position to play well and win some games.
“I love playing every position, but I think receiver is my favorite when I’m not playing special teams,” Miller said. “I’m happy with the way we’re playing but I feel like I can do more. Whenever I get a chance, I try to do my best to help the team. I’ll put my body on the line when I can.
“I’m a leader, I’d say that. I love the team. I help my team a lot, even outside of football when I can. I try to check on them, make sure they’re OK. We mostly all talk outside of football. I have a pretty strong bond with most of the guys on the team.”
Miller likes that he has the backing of his players and coaches. He enjoys the same at home with his first teammate, mom.
“My mother is my biggest supporter because I’ve seen her struggle,” said Miller, who hopes to be an engineer, work in medicine or get his CDL. “She was a single mother because my dad passed at a young age. She pushes and makes sure we have everything we want. She’s at every game, has never missed one game yet. That’s my why, and whenever I get a chance, I’ll tell everyone how important she is to me.
“She’s the loudest in the crowd and I can always find her in the crowd no matter where she’s at. Not one game where I have to look, I don’t have to hope she comes. She’s always there and always there early. One time she missed a touchdown because it was early in the game. She walked in right after I scored. I scored again that day for her. She made a shirt and pants with my name on it. She brings all kinds of family members. I’m very lucky, I get a lot of support.” ••
