Brother act ends early at California
CALIFORNIA, Pa. — A moment remembered ... locked in time, actually.
At least, that’s how Seneca Valley graduates Gabe and Josh Miller — brothers and longtime football teammates with the Raiders and at California (Pa.) University— view it.
Gabe, a junior, and Josh, a sophomore, started at outside linebacker for the Vulcans this season. Both have been productive there. But their moment occurred on special teams.
During a 59-14 win over Clarion, Gabe broke in and blocked a punt. Josh scooped up the loose football and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown.
“That’s the most memorable play of my football career,” Gabe said. “To this point, it’s the favorite moment of my life. I will never forget that play and what it felt like.”
“Gabe did the hard part,” Josh said, laughing. “All I had to do was grab the ball and run.”
“Pretty cool thing to witness,” Califiornia coach Gary Dunn said. “Those two guys mean a lot to this program. They’re great individuals and productive players.”
They figured to be teammates on the Vulcans’ defensive unit for a while longer. But Josh’s season ended prematurely Oct. 22 when he suffered a dislocated elbow and bone fracture against Slippery Rock. Gabe is opting out of playing football his senior year as he plans to do student teaching next fall.
Gabe is majoring in secondary education. Josh is majoring in business management. Both are multi-semester Honor Roll members at California. Gabe was a two--time first team all-conference linebacker at Seneca Valley while Josh was an all-state defensive end his senior season with the Raiders.
Their football careers got started by facing each other one-on-one in a game known as Leaf Monster.
“We played in the side yard next to our house,” Josh recalled. “We’d rake a bunch of leaves up and stackthem at the end of the yard. That would serve as the end zone. Whoever dove into the leaves with the ball first won.”
“I used to beat him up pretty good at that game,” Gabe said. “I was a little older and bigger. It toughened him up. Now he’s a little bigger than me ... I doubt I could beat on him anymore.”
Before his injury, Josh tallied 28 tackles, including 15 solo stops, five tackles for loss, four quarterback sacks and a fumble recovery. Gabe has 33 tackles, 14 solo stops, 5.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery thus far this year.
California is 4-4 on the season, three of those losses coming by five points or fewer to undefeated Indiana (Pa.) and Shepherd, along with Kutztown (6-2).
“It’ll be Josh’s time next year, partly his team,” Gabe said. “I’ve enjoyed my time playing with him, but that time is ending. I have to move onto the next phase of my life.
“But Josh attacking from one side (of the lone of scrimmage), me from the other, man, that’s been a lot of fun. How many brothers can say they played college football together like that. Not many.”
Josh is prepared to carry on without his brother on the field with him.
“My goal is to win a PSAC championship,” he said. “I’ve got two more years to play here and I truly believe we have what it takes to get it done before I’m gone.”
Dunn said he recruited both Miller brothers out of Seneca Valley — and not because they were brothers.
“They were great high school players,” the coach said. “We recruited Josh on his own merits. Having Gabe already here helped in that regard, but that’s not why we wanted him.
“Like Gabe, we felt Josh could be an impact player on our defense — and we were right.”
Gabe said: “It was never a guarantee Josh was coming here. But I’m glad he did.”
