By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports
There are plenty of qualifications that go into making a good defensive player. Tough would be at the top of list.
Fast? Doesn’t hurt.
Put strong on that list as well since when it gets down to mano a mano, it helps to be the stronger mano.
But Calvary safety Luke Miller has something else going for him that perhaps doesn’t always seem like the most important ingredient for a defensive player, but it’s what makes him a special part of the Cavaliers’ success.
“Whenever he steps on the field,” says Calvary assistant coach Marvin Williams, “Luke is the smartest player out there. And I don’t care who we are playing.”
They’ll be playing Dunham tonight in the Superdome for the Select Division III state championship, the second appearance in three years for the Cavs in the title game.
Playing against Elijah Haven, widely regarded as the No. 1 quarterback in the nation in the 2027 recruiting cycle, will mean that Miller will plan on having his mental acumen even sharper than before.
But he’ll be ready for the challenge. That’s who he is and what he does.
“My dad (Mark) is the defensive coordinator and I grew up on play sheets and play calls,” Miller says. “I know it all like the back of my hand.”
Playing safety at Calvary means there are some extra large shoes to fill, considering those who have been in that position in the past for the Cavs: Weston Steelhammer (Air Force), Shun Brown (Arizona), Chanse Sylvie (Oklahoma) and Landon Sylvie (Southeast Missouri State).
“Luke is one of the best safeties we’ve ever had and that’s saying a lot considering the safeties we’ve had here,” Williams says. “He ranks right up there with them.”
“I used to be a guy who rolled down to the line of scrimmage,” Miller says. “The way we run our defense here, the free safety is kind of the leader of the defense. He’s the guy who has to know the plays front and back to be able to do that. I just felt like my intelligence and knowledge of the game kind of led me back there.”
The 6-0, 195-pound Miller has more than 100 tackles in each of his two years as a starting safety – that’s a high number for a defensive back – and has three interceptions along with 11 passes defended this season.
After a few days of film study, Dunham coach Neil Weiner is a big fan.
“Their safety is one of the best defensive backs in the state,” said Weiner. “He does a good job of tackling, and he’s a ball hawk back there.”
In 2023 when the Cavs won the state title over St. Charles, the only playing time Miller got was on special teams.
“Two years ago, I wasn’t a big part of the team. This time around, it means a lot more to me by being on the field and being able to play a huge role in the game.”
Being a coach’s son has certainly helped in Miller’s development. “It’s given me extra insight into the game and learning about it,” he says. “Every night after our games, we go home and watch the game over again, so we are constantly watching film and talking about things at the house. I just feel like that gives me an edge on everybody else.”
Miller hasn’t had time to think about how he will feel when he walks off the field after tonight, knowing it will be his last high school game.
“I’m just going to put it all of the field,” he says. “I’ll have time to think about that later.”
Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com