Area athletes who made a big splash this past week:
Colin Miller
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It was easy to overlook since it came the day before the BCS national title game between Alabama and Texas. But on Wednesday night in Mobile, Ala., Central Michigan outlasted Troy in the GMAC Bowl, 44-41. A key player for the Chippewas was Miller, a 6-foot-3, 292-pounder, who started at center. Miller was a three-sport athlete at Centreville High in football, wrestling and track. He even won a Virginia Group AAA state title in wrestling in 2006. Miller is ranked among the top centers in the country and as a junior was named second-team All-Mid-American Conference at that position. He has started 34 games for the Chippewas — all but three of them at center. Miller helped Central Michigan lead the MAC in scoring (33.2 points per game) and senior quarterback Dan LeFevour finish second all-time in FBS total yardage (15,898).
Tim Hightower
They are known as a passing team. But the Arizona Cardinals do need to run the ball sometimes, too. One of their top options is Hightower, an Episcopal High and University of Richmond graduate. The 23-year-old posted 598 rushing yards in his second year as a pro. Former Ohio State star Beanie Wells earned 33 more carries during the regular season, but Hightower finished with eight touchdowns. Only star receiver Larry Fitzgerald (13) had more for Arizona. Hightower added another one in Arizona’s 51-45 playoff win over Green Bay on Sunday. His one-yard touchdown plunge in the first quarter gave the Cardinals an early 7-0 lead. He finished with 19 rushing yards on 7 carries.
