Country strong Cougar
Aledo, Texas, offensive lineman Ethan McMillan defines country strong.
The 6-foot-4, 296-pound guard has persevered the past couple of years athletically and personally, and has been rewarded with his first scholarship offer from the University of Houston. He took the Cougars up on his offer.
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"Ethan could be the hardest working lineman we've ever had here," coach Tim Buchanan said.
"During his sophomore season his dad left and his mom came down with cancer. I'll never forget, he would come would out early in the morning and then go work on their family's horse farm for another eight hours bailing hay and cleaning out stalls."
McMillan played a backup roll last season on an Aledo team that was blessed with five senior offensive linemen. He rotated with a senior but learned some valuable lessons.
"He could have started any other year, but we had so many seniors," Buchanan said. "We had a phenomenal line. What he did learn is that he couldn't just use his strength to overpower people. He has to improve his speed and feet."
McMillan dropped his 40-yard dash time to a 5.4 over the year and has drastically improved his balance.
"He's got great feet and he's getting better all the time," he said. "He's strong as a bull but has just become a much better football player. He's a sleeper and he'll be an all-district selection this year, maybe an all-state selection."