THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 27, 1995 TAG: 9509270630
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
Let's see if we've got this straight.
Golf comes before soccer and football, and football comes before soccer - at least until the state cup starts.
But if he kicks a few more game-winning field goals, like his 28-yarder that upset Tallwood 3-0 last Friday, then football could come before golf.
Life is all about choices for Salem High sophomore Kevin Miller.
``My dad has always told me if you have the ability to do something, take advantage of it,'' Miller said.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Miller has uncommon athletic ability.
He placed third in the state Group AAA golf tournament as a freshman and followed that up with a runner-up finish in the Virginia State Golf Association junior championships.
His club soccer team, the Williamsburg Wizards, has won four consecutive state cups.
Miller handled the placekicking for Salem Middle School as an eighth-grader, but didn't play football last year. Salem High assistant coach Chris Karvala lobbied Miller this summer to play football again and he agreed in late August.
Miller missed the Sun Devils' opener, a 21-7 loss to Lake Taylor, but was in uniform two weeks ago against Kellam. He kicked a 20-yard field goal and three extra points in the 30-14 win over the Knights.
Miller had a 45-yard field goal against Tallwood nullified by a penalty and then missed a 49-yard attempt. His 28-yard field goal came early in the second quarter, so lacked the drama that usually goes with a game-winner. But that doesn't mean it was easy.
``The ball was on the right hash (mark) and that's a little tougher for a right-footed kicker,'' he said.
Miller's nine points in two games rank him seventh among kickers in South Hampton Roads in scoring. Not bad for someone who practices only once a week - on Tuesdays - and then for only about an hour.
Mondays and Thursdays he plays with the golf team; Miller shot a 72 last Monday at Red Wing and was co-medalist with First Colonial's Brian Horan.
Wednesday's and weekends he works in the cart shop at Honey Bee Golf Course. Friday nights he plays football.
Miller has always assumed that his future lies in golf.
``But now I don't know,'' he said. ``If I were to get some offers to play college football I'd have to think but it.'' by CNB