Hobart junior Stephen Miller’s formula seems relatively simple.
Hit big plays on offense and minimize them on defense.
But that approach is working quite well for Miller, a 6-foot, 170-pound wide receiver/safety.
“He’s a kid who’s always in the right spot,” Hobart coach Eric Schreiber said. “Just an incredible student-athlete.”
Miller has 24 catches for 455 yards and five touchdowns for the Brickies (8-2), who will play Northwest Crossroads Conference foe Kankakee Valley (2-8) on the road in a Class 4A sectional semifinal on Friday. He also has 39 tackles, including three for loss, and two interceptions.
“He’s a kid who’s a team player — blocks for his teammates downfield,” Schreiber said. “He just wants to play and wants to win and be a part of it.”
Miller played his part in the Brickies’ 50-14 win against New Prairie in the first round last week. He had a 52-yard touchdown reception, highlighting his big-play ability.
“The deep ball is really what I’ve been excelling at this year,” he said.
Miller also had an interception against New Prairie.
“Just avoiding the big play,” he said of his defensive performance this season. “Just staying on top of my man and not letting him get anything.
“My coverage as a whole is better this year. Last year, I feel like I got beat way more than I should have. I’ve stepped up in that aspect — and the run game too. My game as a whole has just gotten better.”
Miller grew up playing mostly on offense, but he played defense last season. He had 47 tackles and an interception as a sophomore after making the leap from the freshman team.
“Big jump,” he said. “It took some adjusting at the start of the season. At the beginning, it was pretty rough, just with the speed of the game and the size. It was way different.
“But it went good. I came into the season not knowing where I was going to be. Then I got that spot at safety. I had to step up and take the role.”
Schreiber praised Miller’s varsity debut.
“He came on last year as a sophomore and just picked up the defensive scheme fast,” Schreiber said. “Being a sophomore and going one way is a lot, so we didn’t really touch much of the offensive side of the ball.”
That changed coming into this season.
“He knows the defense having a year under his belt, sharpening up some tools there,” Schreiber said. “It’s much easier when you know what to do schematically.
“Offensively, seeing his progression from spring into summer — those installs and knowing the concepts, understanding what we’re trying to do with the ball — he picked it up fast. He earned it.”
Miller has enjoyed playing on both sides of the ball.
“I like it,” he said. “I like staying on the field. I feel like it’s better. I’m not getting tired out there. Playing a more full game is more fun than just one side of the ball.”
Versatile junior Aiden Kasch is glad Miller is doing so.
“Stephen is a great player on both sides of the ball and can make some huge plays for us,” Kasch said. “He’s not very vocal, but he doesn’t need to be. He leads by example.”
Miller also plays basketball and started for the Brickies as a sophomore. Schreiber was quick to point out Miller can dunk.
Miller also makes an impact with his understated personality.
“He’s a soft-spoken kid but really awesome,” Schreiber said. “I’m really proud of what he’s been able to accomplish.
“He has a quiet presence about him. He’s quiet, but you know he’s there. He can be vocal when he needs to be. He likes to get chippy on the field a little bit, which helps fire up his teammates. You don’t really hear it from him a whole lot. But when he makes a big play, he’s vocal about it. He’s just a soft-spoken kid, but he plays between the whistles and is extremely disciplined. He loves Brickie football.”
Fellow junior wide receiver/defensive back Bryce Tolliver would like to see Miller be even more expressive on those big plays.
“Stephen is a real cool dude,” Tolliver said. “He’s real chill and laid back, even when he’s making all those plays out on the field. He’s not talking nothing to the other team. I’m telling him to talk trash, but he just won’t. He’s killing in silence.”
The Brickies hope to make some noise as they pursue their first sectional title since 2020, when they reached the state championship game. A victory against Kankakee Valley, which Hobart defeated 40-7 on Sept. 12, likely would set up a showdown against Lowell in the sectional final.
“We just have to keep focused,” Miller said. “We have the potential to go all the way. We just have to make it happen.”
