Brentwood junior Milcic set to debut as starting quarterback

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, July 20, 2018 | 11:06 PM

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A few years ago, he was a 5-foot-8, 135-pound center in the Brentwood Dukes youth football program.

This fall, Brentwood junior John Milcic is expected to take over as the starting quarterback on Spartans’ varsity team.

Milcic is inexperienced at the quarterback position at the varsity level. He suffered a broken ankle last year in the Spartans’ second junior varsity game and missed the remainder of the season.

The 6-3, 165-pound Milcic, who has inherited the position from Michael Trent (Marietta), will take his first snap Aug. 24 when Brentwood kicks off its season at home against nonconference foe Carrick.

One factor favoring Milcic’s move to QB is his all-around display of athleticism. He also plays basketball — at either the guard or forward position — and competed in track and field at Brentwood, specializing in both hurdles events.

“I evolved into being a quarterback,” Milcic said, “with the coaches having me try it and I stuck with it. Michael Trent has been the most influential for me (at learning the position).”

Milcic, whose older sister Rachel, a 2018 BHS graduate, was a four-year letterwinner in three sports and was honored as this year’s female scholar-athlete award recipient, also might see playing time on defense at the safety position for the Spartans.

“It is hard to evaluate players without seeing what they can do with equipment on,” said Greg Perdziola, the Spartans’ defensive coordinator. ”We had no idea how John would be as a quarterback because we really never got to see him play and in practice last year.

“In late May, we went down to the field with our skilled players, and we were stunned as coaches on how good John could throw the ball. I still don’t know how that came about. I always tell our kids, ‘You don’t just wake up and are stronger and faster.’ Well, John woke up one day and had a stronger arm and was faster. After that workout, I was so impressed. I said, ‘We have a chance this year to be a good team.’

“Don’t get me wrong. John has a lot to learn and will go through some growing pains as a quarterback, but he has an above-average arm, and a great work ethic on the field and in the weight room. He is next-in-line to be Brentwood’s next good starting quarterback.”

Milcic was a WPIAL Class AA finalist in the hurdles. He finished as a medalist in the 110-meter hurdles by taking eighth place in 16.13 seconds.

“John may have been the hardest-working athlete we had this year,” said Mike Cramer, Brentwood’s track and field coach. “He was there every day working to get better. His best days are in front of him. To place eighth in the 110s, making the finals in his first attempt, is huge for a sophomore.”

The Brentwood football team was 5-5 last season, advancing to the WPIAL playoffs for the ninth time in the past 10 years.

The Spartans finished tied for fourth with Avonworth in the Class 2A Three Rivers Conference, behind Steel Valley, East Allegheny and Serra Catholic.

The Three Rivers has been realigned for this season. Brentwood, Carlynton, Serra Catholic and South Allegheny have been joined by Burgettstown, Fort Cherry, Seton LaSalle and South Side Beaver.

“Our early expectations are to win our first few games, get on a roll and make playoffs,” said Milcic, who also has a younger sister, Lauren, a freshman cheerleader at Brentwood and a track and field candidate. “My personal goals would be to have as few interceptions, and as many touchdowns, as possible.”

The Spartans’ conference opener is set for Aug. 31 at home against South Allegheny.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.