It very well could be one-two for the Millers this year.
Brad was injury-free last year, but lost a shoe early. 
It went fast, didn't it. Just three short years ago, the Miller twins burst onto the scene at the Gettysburg Invitational. They surprised Ryan Blood that day, along with everyone not from Manheim Township. Now entering their final XC campaign, they have the team to go with that front running talent. But wait, there's a group of talented juniors from Coatesville who just missed another state championship in 2004, bolstered by a transfer. And they meet at Carlisle 9/24, just over a month before the one that really counts. Hang on...
In the team race, it appears as though Manheim Township and Coatesville are the teams to beat. Both are tabbed in the top-10 in the Northeast preseason Nike Team Nationals poll.
Manheim Township returns 6 of 7 from last years 4th place team, including twins Craig and Brad Miller. Craig won the last two state XC titles, with Brad 9th in 2004 after losing a shoe early in the race on a course that really calls for two.
Kyle Dawson (center with blue Downingtown West
"Whippets" singlet) finished 25th and now runs
with Coateesville. 
Coatesville returns 4 of 7 from last years 2nd place team, but loses Amin Garnett, 3rd last year, and Ellis Wilson, 26th. But in the spring, the Dawsons, Kyle and Owen, returned to the Coatesville district from Downingtown West. Kyle, a junior this year, now teaming with the other four juniors who nearly knocked off Cedar Cliff in 2004, gives them a formidable pack. You don't have to be a math major to understand the impact Kyle's 25th place showing would have had last year. Plus, the sting of losing by just five points to the Colts has provided off-season motivation to return to the top step they won in 2000. But this is also the final year for the Millers at Manheim Township -- adding focus to an already talented tandem. And last year, Brad showed that with consistent training after his ill-fated (stress fracture) sophomore campaign, he's closing in on his brother. In the spring, he posted a 4:17.75 5th at states in the 1600. According to coach Terry Lee, the Millers are taking a real leadership role this season. And they have a lot of talent to lead. The two mile times of two teammates dropped during the spring, while the team only loses their #3 runner. If these four returners can close the gap to the front-running Millers, that will be a one-two punch with a powerful pack, and very hard to beat.
The top returner from last year's Coatesville squad
is Tom Pannulla, 28th. 
But these two squads will be checking their rearview mirrors for some traditionally deep teams, and for some developing ones. Heading the list would be Council Rock North, 3rd last year, and returning 4, but losing their top-3. However, they will be led by Keith Capecci, a senior who was 2nd in the outdoor 3200 with a time of 9:15.20. That's a low score waiting to happen. Conestoga Valley, in the same league as Manheim Township, was 5th last year, and returns 4 runners including sophomore Vince McNally, who was 13th in 2004. They won the 4x800 with the then- fastest time in the US with senior Jared Walker joining McNally and two graduated teammates.
West Chester East, 6th last year, and North Hills, 7th, both have a chance to get in the top-5 in 2005. West Chester East returns 6 of 7 runners, including 8th place finisher Duriel Hardy, who will be a senior. North Hills loses their frontrunner, Josh Eddy, who was 16th last year, and returns #3-7.
After an incredible run in 2004, Cedar Cliff looks to be in a rebuilding year. However, they always have depth and can't be ruled out of a top-10 finish this year. As one competitor put it... "they'll find and develop more talent. They always do."
Another team to consider would be Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 11th in 2004.
In the individual race, Craig Miller, if healthy, will win his third consecutive state title. He was the 2004 AAA XC champ, and on the track he won the 1600 with a time of 4:11.98. He then closed his junior campaign with a 4:07.19 Mile at the Nike Outdoor Champs. He is followed by 6 seniors who will be looking to put a championship on their resume as well. Duriel Hardy, West Chester East; brother Brad, Manheim Township; Josh Hibbs, Hatboro Horsham; Justin Keller, Cedar Cliff; Curtis Bixler, Cumberland Valley, the outdoor 3200 champ in 9:14.80; and Keith Capecci, Council Rock North, just behind Bixler in the 3200 in 9:15.20. Duriel Hardy was 8th last year at states. Brad Miller was 9th, and then finished 5th outdoors in the 1600 with a time of 4:17.75. Josh Hibbs was 10th in XC, and then finished 12th outdoors in the 3200 with a time of 9:36.32. Justin Keller was 17th at states, and then finished 16th outdoors in the 3200. Capecci was 38th in XC. Three juniors who should be looking toward the top-10 are Jason Weller, Boyertown, 11th last year; Sean Craig, Honesdale, 21st last year; and Paul Springer, Unionville, 23rd. Sophomore Vince McNally was Conestoga Valley's top finisher last year and should improve on his 13th place finish. North Allegheny's Max Brown has a year under his belt, and emerged in Indoor with an 8:48.7 3000, following that up with a 4:15.47 1600 at the Baldwin Invitational.
Fellow junior Sean Ward was 34th. 
Oh, and to start things off, Manheim Township and Coatesville have an annual scrimmage at the Lancaster County campus. It's not scored, and it's in the middle of a tough week of training. But it will give the guys a chance to get their feet wet before they square off for real at the September 24th Carlisle Invitational.
TOP TEN TEAMS, TOP 50 INDIVIDUALS FROM 2004
1. Cedar Cliff (3)
6 Patrick Caulfield, Sr 16:20 5:16
12 Justin Keller, Jr 16:34 5:21
21 Michael Fulton, Sr 16:47 5:25
27 Timothy Johnson, Sr 16:54 5:27
29 Corey Creek, Jr 16:59 5:29
92 William Frailey, Sr 17:52 5:46
138 Tyler Longenecker, Sr 18:41 6:01
Time = 1:23:33 Places = 95
2. Coatesville (1)
2 Amin Garnett, Sr 16:12 5:13
18 Ellis Wilson, Sr 16:42 5:23
20 Tom Pannulla, So 16:44 5:24
23 Sean Ward, So 16:50 5:26
37 Jason Leonard, So 17:08 5:31
112 Josh Beldner, Sr 18:09 5:51
122 Chad Gordon, So 18:22 5:55
Time = 1:23:34 Places = 100
3. Council Rock N (1)
3 Brandon Pomerantz, Sr 16:12 5:13
5 John Mahoney, Sr 16:14 5:14
22 Grant Stanfield, Sr 16:48 5:25
26 Keith Capecci, Jr 16:53 5:26
71 Matt Wiker, So 17:40 5:42
80 Bryce Kruman, So 17:46 5:44
146 George Serfes, So 18:52 6:05
Time = 1:23:46 Places = 127
4. Manheim Township (3)
1 Craig Miller, Jr 15:54 5:08
8 Brad Miller, Jr 16:23 5:17
31 Harry Dixon, Sr 17:00 5:29
41 Stan Berkow, So 17:11 5:32
52 Matt Kantner, Jr 17:29 5:38
58 John Fisher, Jr 17:32 5:39
86 Kevin Gellrich, Jr 17:48 5:44
Time = 1:23:56 Places = 133
5. Conestoga Valley (3)
10 Vince McNally, Fr 16:27 5:18
24 Kenny George, Jr 16:50 5:26
25 Kip Horbal, Sr 16:52 5:26
32 Devin Kelly, Sr 17:00 5:29
95 Tim Su, Sr 17:53 5:46
98 Jarred Weaver, Jr 17:59 5:48
116 Lomar Zook, Jr 18:18 5:54
Time = 1:25:01 Places = 186
6. West Chester East (1)
7 Duriel Hardy, Jr 16:23 5:17
43 Ian Gough, Jr 17:13 5:33
47 Andrew Lobb, So 17:19 5:35
60 Mark Karagelian, So 17:34 5:40
61 John Lacolla, Fr 17:35 5:40
93 David Rogers, Sr 17:53 5:46
96 Steve Vincent, So 17:53 5:46
Time = 1:26:01 Places = 218
7. North Hills (7)
11 Josh Eddy, Sr 16:33 5:20
40 Mike Haley, Sr 17:10 5:32
44 Brennan O'Hare, Jr 17:14 5:33
59 Joe O'Malley, Jr 17:33 5:39
72 Tim McManus, Jr 17:41 5:42
111 Mike Calabria, Jr 18:08 5:51
117 Adam Sencak, Jr 18:18 5:54
Time = 1:26:10 Places = 226
8. Council Rock South (1
14 Mike Terzyk, Sr 16:35 5:21
28 Brendan Johnson, Sr 16:57 5:28
35 Tom Mooney, So 17:03 5:30
75 Patrick Thornton, Jr 17:43 5:43
85 Brian Scullin, Sr 17:48 5:44
126 Gino Inverso, Jr 18:27 5:57
139 Andrew Thornton, Sr 18:41 6:01
Time = 1:26:04 Places = 237
9. Hatboro Horsham (1)
9 Josh Hibbs, Jr 16:25 5:17
16 Austin Hart, Sr 16:37 5:22
70 Ryan Lichtner, Jr 17:40 5:42
73 Jeff Anderson, Sr 17:41 5:42
74 Brian Mortensen, Sr 17:42 5:42
101 Kevin Davis, So 18:01 5:49
136 Rich Chris, Sr 18:39 6:01
Time = 1:26:03 Places = 242
10. Downingtown West (1)
17 Kyle Dawson, So 16:41 5:23
45 Sean McKinney, Sr 17:16 5:34
48 Evan Daney, Jr 17:21 5:36
63 Owen Dawson, So 17:38 5:41
79 Kyle Stugan, Jr 17:46 5:44
137 Austin Tobelman, Fr 18:40 6:01
145 Mike Harahan, So 18:49 6:04
Time = 1:26:40 Places = 252
TEAM
PLACE SCORE FINISHER TIME PACE TEAM
1 1 Craig Miller, Jr 15:54 5:08 Manheim Township (3)
2 Sam Luff, Sr 16:04 5:11 Emmaus (11)
3 2 Amin Garnett, Sr 16:12 5:13 Coatesville (1)
4 3 Brandon Pomerantz, Sr 16:12 5:13 Council Rock N (1)
5 4 Stephen Thompson, Sr 16:12 5:13 Shikellamy (4)
6 5 John Mahoney, Sr 16:14 5:14 Council Rock N (1)
7 6 Patrick Caulfield, Sr 16:20 5:16 Cedar Cliff (3)
8 7 Duriel Hardy, Jr 16:23 5:17 West Chester East (1)
9 8 Brad Miller, Jr 16:23 5:17 Manheim Township (3)
10 9 Josh Hibbs, Jr 16:25 5:17 Hatboro Horsham (1)
11 Jason Weller, So 16:26 5:18 Boyertown (1)
12 Colin Leak, Sr 16:27 5:18 Unionville (1)
13 10 Vince McNally, Fr 16:27 5:18 Conestoga Valley (3)
14 Sean Doyle, Sr 16:28 5:19 North Penn (1)
15 Kyle Murray, Sr 16:29 5:19 Central Bucks S (1)
16 11 Josh Eddy, Sr 16:33 5:20 North Hills (7)
17 12 Justin Keller, Jr 16:34 5:21 Cedar Cliff (3)
18 13 Curtis Bixler, Jr 16:35 5:21 Cumberland Valley (3)
19 Tyler McCandless, Sr 16:35 5:21 Northampton (11)
20 14 Mike Terzyk, Sr 16:35 5:21 Council Rock South (1
21 15 Sean Craig, So 16:37 5:21 Honesdale (2)
22 16 Austin Hart, Sr 16:37 5:22 Hatboro Horsham (1)
23 Paul Springer, So 16:39 5:22 Unionville (1)
24 Austin Craven, Sr 16:40 5:23 Owen J Roberts (1)
25 17 Kyle Dawson, So 16:41 5:23 Downingtown West (1)
26 18 Ellis Wilson, Sr 16:42 5:23 Coatesville (1)
27 19 Kevin Collins, Sr 16:44 5:24 Parkland (11)
28 20 Tom Pannulla, So 16:44 5:24 Coatesville (1)
29 Isaac Bryan, So 16:44 5:24 Pennridge (1)
30 Colin Brett, Jr 16:46 5:24 Easton (11)
31 21 Michael Fulton, Sr 16:47 5:25 Cedar Cliff (3)
32 Bill Lordan, Sr 16:48 5:25 Great Valley (1)
33 22 Grant Stanfield, Sr 16:48 5:25 Council Rock N (1)
34 23 Sean Ward, So 16:50 5:26 Coatesville (1)
35 24 Kenny George, Jr 16:50 5:26 Conestoga Valley (3)
36 Andy Miller, Sr 16:51 5:26 Cedar Crest (3)
37 25 Kip Horbal, Sr 16:52 5:26 Conestoga Valley (3)
38 26 Keith Capecci, Jr 16:53 5:26 Council Rock N (1)
39 27 Timothy Johnson, Sr 16:54 5:27 Cedar Cliff (3)
40 Tom Robertson, Jr 16:55 5:27 Souderton (1)
41 28 Brendan Johnson, Sr 16:57 5:28 Council Rock South (1
42 29 Corey Creek, Jr 16:59 5:29 Cedar Cliff (3)
43 30 Tim Stepp, So 17:00 5:29 Parkland (11)
44 James Rogerson, Sr 17:00 5:29 Butler (7)
45 31 Harry Dixon, Sr 17:00 5:29 Manheim Township (3)
46 32 Devin Kelly, Sr 17:00 5:29 Conestoga Valley (3)
47 Ken King, Sr 17:02 5:29 Connellsville (7)
48 Brian Beegle, So 17:02 5:29 Gettysburg (3)
49 33 Ayden Fiorelli, Jr 17:02 5:30 Honesdale (2)
50 34 Dan Kuzma, Sr 17:03 5:30 Pght Central Cath (7)