When thinking about the 2016 La Salle football team, the first person that comes to mind is Amon Milliner. The Lancers remarkable running back has over 2,000 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns. And Milliner has earned top billing. But on the other side of the ball, Myles Cecil is every bit Milliner’s equal. The senior […]
When thinking about the 2016 La Salle football team, the first person that comes to mind is Amon Milliner.
The Lancers remarkable running back has over 2,000 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns.
And Milliner has earned top billing.
But on the other side of the ball, Myles Cecil is every bit Milliner’s equal.
The senior defensive end affects the line of scrimmage as much or more than anyone in the area.
Just like Milliner, Cecil is as talented as he is humble.
While he may do his job quietly, his actions on and off the field speak volumes.
He leads La Salle with 58 tackles, and his incredible 12. 5 sacks dwarfs anyone.
Cecil also excels in the classroom with a 3.8 grade-point average.
He’s also part of solid, close-knit group of 22 seniors that hadn’t won an Angelus League games dating back to 2014.
But he’s also part of that same group that made history, and broke the losing streak by winning league games over St. Paul and Harvard-Westlake this year.
La Salle coach Russell Gordon said Cecil is an even better student and kid than he is an athlete, and that is really saying something. .
“Myles has a strong work ethic. He is a great son, teammate, and a person of extremely high character and morals,” Gordon said. “He is widely respected by his classmates, coaches/teachers in our league, and in our community. He’s an extremely bright student-athlete, who is always going to give you a 100% effort in the classroom and on the field.”
Cecil is admired for his speed, strength and athleticism, but he’s loved even more for just being the funny, happy-go-lucky friend and teammate to all those on the La Salle sidelines.
“Myles is a hard worker on and off the field,” linebacker Jake Rose said. “He’s fun to be around and brings energy wherever he is. His hard work shows in his play, and he’s the best defensive end I have ever played with. He is a very important part of the team.”
Why is Cecil so dominant on the field?
“Mentally, I always try and have a dog mentality, ready to bite anything or anyone that try’s to take what’s mine and the win,” Cecil said. “Physically, God gave me long arms, and big legs, and I was blessed with runner jeans from my mother, who was a track star. That’s why I find great fondness in our conditioning periods.”
If you’ve been at any La Salle football game this year, it was obvious how much of a family atmosphere coach Gordon has provided and the players have embraced.
Cecil has said multiple times he loves and would do anything for the school or the football program.
“I love and am so grateful for the La Salle football parents, who are so passionate and dedicated to all facets of the program,” he said. “(The reason we’re so close) is because we have the same desires and passion. We don’t ever want to let our teammates down. If you win, it’s because everyone does their job.”
When asked who he’d most want to talk to, living or dead, Cecil said his sister Melody, who sadly died when he was just 2.
But he said he fondly recalls playing hot wheels with her and also thinks ‘what could have been,’ when he see’s brothers with their sisters.
To be clear, Cecil knows and appreciates the contributions of all his teammates.
And while he’s the star of the defense, he’d be the first to tell you that Jake Rose, Wyatt Cimino, Myles Bailey, R-Jay Wagner, Ryan Sparks and the rest of the defense are all huge reasons why this has been an historic season.
Gordon will need Cecil, Milliner and the rest of the Lancers at their best tonight (Friday)when they open the CIF-SS Division 9 playoffs against Mayfair (6-4) at Bellflower High School at 7 p.m.
La Salle’s brutal league and nonleague schedule give the Lancers a very solid shot at making a run at the D-9 title.
But to do that, Gordon, his coaches and players know they’ll likely need a more balanced offensive attack to take pressure off Milliner, and they’ll need to play as close to turnover-free football as they can.
Gordon said his team has gotten much more disciplined over the past few weeks, and the Lancers’ faithful hope he’s right, because in the playoffs, a lack of discipline and inability to avoid personal fouls can often times lead to a season’s end.
Win or lose tonight, Cecil will play a starring role, and represent his school and program with class and dignity.
He’ll also have a successful and meaningful life because of his values and work ethic.
“School is really important to me, because I know I can’t play football forever,” Cecil said. “I am going to miss everything about this school when I’m gone. These guys are family to me.”
Quotable:
Quarterback Jake Caan: “Myles makes the offense better everyday at practice. He is always giving a 100 percent effort, and with a smile on his face. The kid is always happy, no matter what, He brings the fun to the team. He is incredibly humble and a problem for every offensive tackle we face. I love the kid like a brother and i’m extremely lucky to be one of his teammates.”
Coach Russell Gordon: “I have always been impressed with how hard he works and the amount of hours he puts into preparing himself for his academics and athletics. There are few students within any community that spends more time balancing their academics along with co-curricular activities than Myles.”
Getting to know Myles Cecil:
Favorite Band: Red Hot Chili Peppers
Favorite Movie: Ex Machina
Favorite NFL Team: New England Patriots
Favorite Athlete: Olivier Vernon of the NY Giants
Favorite Food: Chipotle
