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Yappi.com writer PERRY TWP.--He stalks the sidelines of Perry High School showing no fear of the challenges that are ahead of him. He has been there before, as a defensive backs coach and head coach of Canton McKinley High School and as an assistant head coach/defensive coordinator to former Perry head coach Keith Wakefield in 2003. And don't expect John "Spider" Miller to shy away from the upcoming challenge before him anytime soon. As the 2006 season nears closer, he enters his third season as the leader of the Perry Panthers, who completed a 4-6 season in 2005. But this 4-6 season was one that ended on a high note as his team gained late-season wins over Federal League runner-up North Canton Hoover and GlenOak to end the season. "The GlenOak game was of greater importance because it was the last game of the season," Miller said via phone interview from his office. "We played consistent football in those two wins and the kids did a nice job of executing their schemes." Although the 2006 Panthers return only two offensive starters and one defensive starter, Miller looks for his team to compete for starting positions and mold themselves into a team capable of competing with the rest of the Federal League pack. Miller attested that the league has become tougher with the additions of the last two league champions in Austintown-Fitch and Canton McKinley. Youngstown Boardman is the third member of the league. And there are no free games in this league. "This is one of the best leagues in the state, year in and year out. You have to take each game one at a time. You cannot look ahead ever," he said. "If you get caught looking ahead, it will come back to haunt you. We will take it one game at a time." Offensively, look for the Panthers to control the clock and the tempo of the game with the running game while establishing a balance with the passing game. Last season, running backs Tony DiCicco and Aaron Morris combined close to 1,500 yards rushing. Both backs had the ability to go over 100 yards in a game and both players executed the feat in last season's season opener against Wooster. Defensively, Miller takes pride in players who can arrive to the ball quickly. Aggressiveness has always been his mantra and it is one well-heeded by his hordes of Panthers. "Our kids run to the ball on defense and they are aggressive," he said. This off-season, Miller has been impressed with the work ethic of his team. The hard work that they have instilled into the off-season is a good reason why the Panthers look to be in the running for their first Federal League football title since the 2000 season, when they were at the height of their dominance in reaching the Division I state semifinals. "Our kids have worked hard and they are doing a good job. Their attitude has been great. They want to get after it and get going," Miller said. Meeting challenges head on is something that Miller and his Panthers take great pride in. |
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