By Payton Moody
For Gus Miller, football has always been a part of life. Growing up in Hartshorne, Oklahoma, Gus started his football journey the way many do—playing flag football and throwing the ball around in the backyard with his dad, Josh Miller. “I got started in football just playing flag football or just playing catch in the backyard with my dad,” Gus reflected.
The Miller household had a strong connection to the sport. Watching the University of Oklahoma play and witnessing how much his family enjoyed the game fueled Gus’s desire to pursue football at a high level. “Watching OU play on Saturdays and seeing how much my family loved the game… made me want to make it to where they could watch me play on Saturdays.” He is also motivated by influences in his life: “My biggest influences off the field would be my dad and my uncle, James Vinson. On the field would be Kelby Thomason and Bryson Cervantes.”
Gus takes pride in being a leader on his team, not just in title but in action. “To be a leader/captain, I prepare by making myself get out of my comfort zone and get my team ready to go.”
Gus’s commitment to improvement is evident in his rigorous training schedule. He works out twice a day, lifting in the mornings on Monday and Tuesday, followed by additional workouts in the evenings at the Hartshorne Gym. His dedication to staying in peak condition reflects his personal goals. “I want to make a deep run into playoffs and limit flags and distractions off the field.”
One of Gus’s most memorable moments on the field came when Hartshorne beat Liberty to secure a home playoff game. Off the field, his ambitions extend beyond high school: “For football, it would probably be watching college play on Saturday. Off the field, I want to be able to be finishing a college degree.”
For Gus, community plays a huge role. “For our team, the community matters a lot for us. I love the feeling of the crowd cheering on a big play—it gets my adrenaline going.”
With family as his foundation and football as his passion, Gus Miller is prepared to make his mark at the next level, whether on the football field or the baseball diamond.
