BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer
EDISON — Great teams have great players, and the J.P. Stevens High School football team is led by seniors Anthony Miller and Jeremy Zuttah.
In addition to playing both offense and defense, Miller and Zuttah have had to sift through Division I scholarship offers and still find time to lead their team to a 4-1 record and a potential conference title.
"Anthony and Jeremy are fine young men," head coach Frank Zarro said. "We are very fortunate to have two players of their character and talent."
Rising to stardom as a receiver for the Hawks last season, Miller was converted to quarterback at the start of the season and has made the transition a success.
"It hasn’t always been easy," Miller said. "Being a quarterback is a whole different world. Now, I am responsible for running the offense and making sure everyone knows what play we are running."
One thing that has remained the same for Miller is his ability to find the end zone. This season, Miller has recorded seven touchdowns. He has thrown for two scores, ran the ball in for three, returned a kick off for 90 yards, and ran an interception back for 80 yards.
"Coach said he wants me in the middle of the field on defense," Miller said. "He moved me from cornerback to free safety in our last game against South Brunswick."
Add the 23 tackles he has to his resume, and it’s easy to see why Zarro wants Miller in the middle.
With his talent on the field and a 3.0 GPA off the field, it is apparent why Division I athletic programs have been actively seeking the Hawks’ senior. Miller has decided to attend Rutgers University on a full scholarship. The Scarlet Knights plan to play Miller at the wide receiver position. Miller decided to go with the Rutgers over the Tennessee Volunteers and the Wisconsin Badgers, in order to remain close to home and his family.
Jeremy Zuttah, Miller’s teammate, has not decided which uniform he will don next fall. Like Miller, Zuttah maintains a 3.0 GPA, and he also earned a 1260 on his SAT. Among the schools to offer scholarships to the 6-foot-5, 290-pound senior are Ohio State, Miami, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Maryland and Rutgers.
Unlike Miller, who began his football career at an early age for the Edison Shamrocks Pop Warner team, Zuttah first put on the pads his freshman year. A well-rounded athlete, Zuttah picked up baseball and basketball long before he ever touched the pigskin.
"I think it is my athleticism and foot speed that gives me an advantage over the opponent," Zuttah said. "My power is an asset, and I continue to work hard to get better."
Zuttah has garnered 35 tackles from his defensive end position and he is most proud of his 40 pancakes (a block which essentially flattens the defensive player) from the offensive tackle position.
Both Zuttah and Miller feel that the defense has been the key to the team’s success this year.
"Our defense is carrying the team," Zuttah said.
"We feel we can win if we score once," Miller said. "Our defense can stop anybody. Next week, we will have our star running back, Derek Williams, in the game, and our offense will be explosive."
The Hawks will do battle this week against Old Bridge, and will call upon Zuttah and Miller to lead them to victory once again.