BY GARY VAN CLEAVE
Salina Post Contributor
LINCOLN - As the old saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
This is especially true when it comes to quarterback at Lincoln High.
Logan Meier completed nearly 70% of his passes (98-137) for 1,283 yards, 12 touchdowns and a QB rating of 106.8 as the Leopards’ quarterback last year.
Meier graduated much to the delight of opponents, but ahead of the 2024 season, in steps sophomore sensation Jeremiah Miller, whose talents could be on an even higher level.
“He's tall, good with his motions and can do it all, with really good potential,” Meier said of Miller.
That adoration and praise goes both ways.
“He was a field general and a QB that understood what needed to be done,” Miller said of his predecessor. “When we’re in a tough spot, he helped the whole team understand what needed to be done to succeed.”
Now it’s Miller’s turn to lead the Leopards as they prepare for their Sept. 6 opener at Ellis, and the 6-foot-1, 178-pound sophomore is ready to step up under center.
“I think I was prepared to take over as soon as I started honestly,” said Miller, who accounted for over 1,300 yards of offense and 19 touchdowns as a freshman.
Miller put up a 111.1 QBR as a freshman as he completed 28-of-51 passes for 490 yards, seven touchdowns and just two picks.
“I would describe myself as a versatile QB that has the ability to score multiple ways not only with my passing but also with my running capabilities,” Miller said. “I think my leadership needs some work, but right now I think I’m a leader that sees potential in all my teammates and tries to hold them to a high standard.”
Sophomore center Ayden McBride has witnessed firsthand the talents of both signal-callers.
“They’re both really good teammates and friends," he said. "I’ve known those guys since I was in first grade and they’ve always been athletic.”
Xavier Miller, Jeremiah’s younger fraternal twin brother by six minutes, knows his QB better than anyone.
“Very deep,” Xavier said on the brothers’ chemistry. “I’ve always been a receiver growing up and he's always been a QB. I knew even when we were younger that all I had to do was beat my defender on my route, and he could find me and get the ball in my hands.”
“He’s stubborn sometimes, but he’s always my main target during pass plays and is super reliable,” Jeremiah said of Xavier. “I think we have good chemistry, and he’ll adapt and understand everything I ask him to change or fix.”
Sophomore wide receiver Benjamin Bell, who caught 25 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns, said Miller brings everything he has to the gridiron.
“I think the better question is what doesn’t he bring?" Bell said. “He has athleticism, size, incredible speed and arm strength, a strong IQ of the game, toughness, he has it all in my opinion, and I can’t wait for this season to start.”
Junior Easton Good earned all-district honors on the offensive line. He and his 6-foot-3, 225-pound frame hope to play college football in a few years.
“Jeremiah is a dual threat QB,” Good said. “He can do it on the ground and through the air.”
Senior Levi Bates is one of the candidates to fill the backup QB slot.
“He’s a freak,” Bates said. “Like all the way to the sky.”
Jahdiel Miller, Jeremiah’s eighth-grade brother who plays a myriad of positions for the middle school, called his brother a leader and one who motivates.
“With enough exposure, I think he can make it pro,” the RB/WR/QB/lineman said.
“Jerry is a force to be reckoned with when he’s being explosive,” 2024 graduate Caleb Dotterer said.
That explosiveness could be seen on the ground where he churned out 526 yards on 75 carries and 10 touchdowns, including a pair of 100-yard games.
Miller can go vertical as well.
“It seems like he’s always throwing dots in games,” McBride said. “But I would say in the jamboree last year when he hurdled someone that was nice.”
That hurdle, still in the minds of many Lincoln teammates, came right on cue.
“Coach was getting us hyped, and he said, by all means, be a dude and make a play,” Miller said. “I saw the opportunity and took it.”
Miller brings major talent to the defensive side as well racking up 70-tackles (43 solo), 7 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 1 interception in his freshman campaign.
“He's been in the weight room a ton and gotten a lot stronger, while also working with coaches to increase his game IQ, recognize defenses and progress through reads,” Bell said. “He knows he has big shoes to fill, and is doing a lot to excel in that role. If he continues improving, he could go D-1.”
Lincoln opens their 2024 campaign this Friday when they travel to Ellis for a 7:00 showdown with the Railroaders.