Corey Brooks
Sophomore Jayme Miller warms up before a game. Miller has been thrust into the role of QB1 with the injury of Senior starter Cannon Cowhey.
I did not expect this to be my season. I was there originally to learn, stay ready, but not lead. In preseason, everything shifted. Our starting quarterback, Cannon Cowhey, injured his back, and suddenly all eyes were on me. I had been preparing, but nothing really prepares you for hearing your name be called as QB1 on opening day.
“The environment hasn’t changed. It’s just I’m not in pads and throwing. I get treatment and then go to the field and still be a leader and do as much as possible to help the offense progress without me,” Cowhey said. “For now, I’m calling plays, watching film with Jayme and helping him see the field like I do.”
The environment has been different since I became the starting QB. The tempo and attitude have changed throughout the weeks of me playing. The environment changed for me. Although the team kept the same energy, there was no real change to them. The team did not doubt me going into the season, and there was no change in effort. We all kept working and pushing ourselves to the best of our abilities.
“I didn’t notice a shift in effort, because we still have to try to win each week,” varsity wide receiver Derrick Caldwell said.
The effort in practice is great. We have energy on both sides of the ball to compete against each other and make one another better, no matter who starts. All of the practice efforts have helped me improve, as they got me to where I am today. Although it was very unfortunate that Cannon got injured, I took every advantage of this opportunity to grow and benefit the team. I am still learning, growing and preparing for this season and future seasons.
“I think we are in a great position, [where] if something did happen, we have a really good young quarterback, Jayme, and he’s done a good job,” coach Jarrod Hickman said.
Looking at where the team is now, I feel confident in the foundation this team has built. I always try to step up with poise and purpose while also knowing the team is not about one person but about all of us. I know I am far from perfecting my position, but I am excited to keep learning, leading and having determination. Pushing each other made it better and easier for me to prepare for the upcoming games by showing me what to expect on game days and how to get better every day.
“We were in a unique situation a year ago, where Cannon had an arm injury, and so Jayme got a lot of reps in the springtime, and I think that really helped this year,” Hickman said.
