By JERRY BYRD JR., Journal Sports
It’s Miller’s Time in Vivian, Louisiana!
After being the talk of the town since coming onto the scene three years ago, wide receiver Omarion Miller is looking for big things during his last ride at North Caddo Magnet High School.
His head coach, Johnny Kavanaugh, is just as excited as he is.
“I’ve really enjoyed watching Omarion develop,” Kavanaugh said. “He has developed a love of the game of football that I’m not sure he knew he had when he showed up at North Caddo as a freshman.”
Miller committed to LSU during his sophomore year before decommitting last year. Earlier this year, Miller committed to Nebraska, citing the family atmosphere that he has become accustomed to in Vivian.
If defensive coordinators think that shutting Miller down will stop the Titan offense, they may be disappointed.
Kavanaugh and offensive coordinator Reagan Smith have one of the best running backs in North Louisiana at their disposal in senior K.J. Black.
“K.J. has developed into a hard-nosed leader,” Kavanaugh said. “His combination of strength and speed is really special.”
Paving the way for Black will be three returning starters on the offensive line: Philippe Sanders, Collin Walker, and Kortez Gibson. Sean Tinney is a lineman who provides the unit with versatility.
Those four guys are among seven who, according to Kavanaugh, are battling for five starting spots.
Directing the traffic, both in the air and on the ground, for the Titans will be first-year quarterback Aiden Brock. Brock, a senior, has been a playmaker on both sides of the ball for the Titans, at both H-back and linebacker. Last year he helped the Titans to a 10-3 finish and the state quarterfinals, averaging 47 points in the three playoff games.
Kavanaugh is excited to see what his new signal caller can bring to the table.
“He looked really good in 7-on-7 this summer,” Kavanaugh said. “He’s dropped about 30 pounds and gained a good bit of speed. It should be fun to watch him develop.”
On the defensive side, North Caddo will be led by a senior-laden secondary including Rodney Thomas, Gianni Black, and J’Quay Vinson.
While the defensive front seven is relatively new, Kavanaugh likes the speed in the young group.
One of the leaders in the defensive front will be defensive end Rashid Matthew.
“He has really wrecked shop against our offensive line,” Kavanaugh said. “So quick! I expect a huge year from him.”
Kavanaugh described the Titans’ first couple of weeks of practice as “solid.” One positive at 201 Airport Drive has been the 50 players dressed out for practice.
“That’s huge for us,” Kavanaugh said.
In particular has been a large incoming freshman class that possesses quality and quantity.
North Caddo will participate in a three-way scrimmage with Southwood and Glenbrook this afternoon. Kavanaugh and his staff will busy themselves with making corrections before the Titans face off against Green Oaks in the Caddo Parish Jamboree.
The Titans will open their season at home in Sanders-Prudhomme Stadium against the Bossier Bearkats. When they kick off, they will be looking to relive some of the magic of last year’s Week 1 win against the eventual Class 1A state champion Homer Pelicans.
North Caddo snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as Titan quarterback Juvontavious Hodge slipped out of the grips of Homer defenders to find Black all alone in the back of the endzone to beat Homer 26-25 in walk-off fashion on the game’s final play.
Contact Jerry at sbjjerrybyrd@gmail.com