By Robert Wilson
Brandon High’s Lester Miller didn’t play against Oxford in the 2021 season opener due to an ankle injury.
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound senior wide receiver was healthy in this year’s season opener against Oxford and made the most of it.
Miller, an Akron (Ohio) commitment, caught nine passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns to help Brandon to a 45-14 victory Friday night at Brandon.
For his outstanding performance, Miller has been named the Junction Deli Metro Jackson Football Player of the Week.
Miller caught seven passes for 126 yards in the first half to help Brandon to a 22-7 halftime lead. He caught two TD passes of 25 and 15 yards from junior quarterback Landon Varnes in the second half to push Brandon’s lead to 45-14.
“Lest is a phenomenal player who does a lot for our football team,” said Brandon coach Sam Williams, who was named PriorityOne Bank Metro Jackson Football Coach of Year last season after he led his Bulldogs to a MHSAA Class 6A state runner-up finish.
“He has grown up tremendously and developed into a leader on our football team. There are not many receivers in the state who can change the game the way Lester Miller can when he in one-on-one matchups. He was able to take advantage of a few matchups Friday night and make a huge impact on the game.”
Miller caught 44 passes for 898 yards and eight TDs despite missing the first three games last season as a junior. His biggest game was when he caught six passes for a career-high 239 yards and one TD in a 45-28 win over Meridian.
Brandon plays host to defending MHSAA Class 6A state champion Madison Central Friday night at 7:30 in a rematch of last year’s state championship game at Brandon. Madison Central won both meetings last year, 42-19 in the regular season (Miller missed that game) and 24-17 in the title game.
Mississippi Scoreboard selects a football player from Hinds, Madison, or Rankin counties each week. Coaches can nominate a player by text or call to Robert Wilson at 601.506.2276 or email [email protected].
