ALL-STAR FOOTBALL : Miller Not East’s Only Weapon

Billy Miller has a history of attracting attention--not to mention defensive backs and, especially, footballs.

Tonight at Moorpark High, Miller, a senior wide receiver for Westlake, will return to the spotlight as a member of the East team in the 21st Ventura County all-star football game at 7:30.

Miller (6 feet 4, 215 pounds), who accepted a scholarship to USC after being recruited by several other major colleges, is the brightest star selected to play in the county’s annual showcase of graduating seniors.

Quarterbacks Ron Allen (Oak Park) and Scott Spruill (Westlake) figure to fling more than a few spirals Miller’s way.

Last season, Miller caught 67 passes for 1,057 yards and 14 touchdowns and was The Times’ Ventura County player of the year as Westlake posted a 10-2 record and won the Marmonte League title. Miller also was a first-team selection as a junior, hauling in 82 passes for 1,451 yards and 13 touchdowns.

“I wish I had a player like him for four years,” East Coach Gene Uebelhardt of Royal said. “They don’t come around like him very often.”

West Coach Phil McCune of Ventura has seen enough of Miller. Last season, Miller caught six passes for 103 yards and three touchdowns as Westlake thumped Ventura, 52-26.

“There ain’t nobody gonna cover Billy Miller,” McCune said. “I think we’re in trouble there. He probably won’t catch more than five or six in this game, but they’ll probably go for touchdowns.

“But we’re not focusing [solely] on Miller. I know Gene Uebelhardt is going to try to run the ball.”

Indeed, it is unlikely Miller will be the only weapon used. Mike Leibin (Westlake), Jeff Magruder (Thousand Oaks), Eric Ruhle (Oak Park) and Brendan Gibson (Royal) all are talented receivers.

The East also features a strong group of running backs, including the Royal tandem of Mike Reddington and Jerome Lee, Bryan Wilkins (Moorpark) and Ryan Johnson (Oak Park).

Reddington, who rushed for 854 yards and nine touchdowns last season, will attend the Naval Academy. Lee, who rushed for 773 yards and four touchdowns, is headed to Arkansas State.

“Everyone on the other side is thinking we’ll throw to Miller,” Uebelhardt said. “We don’t have a problem going to anyone.”

The West should be strong on the ground, with a trio of tailbacks--Josh Hawkins (Nordhoff), Aaron Davis (Ventura), and David Cameron (Oxnard)--leading the attack. Hawkins, who will attend Hawaii, set county single-season records with 2,456 rushing yards, 36 touchdowns and 236 points.

The West’s offensive line includes Ventura’s Hasira Sutton (6-6, 250 pounds), Chadd Kahlsdorf (6-4, 300) and Brian Fasulo (6-4, 250).

Quarterbacks Taj Lewis (Oxnard) and Chris Carr (Buena) will share duty throwing to receivers Eric Ertman (Buena), Jeff Stetler (Buena), Tim Ordonez (Oxnard) and Brian Lombardi (Rio Mesa).

The job of covering Miller will go to safety Eric Olson (Ventura), who will attend Colorado State, and cornerbacks Eric Stewart (Buena) and Erik Blair (Ventura).