Here, Lawton High running back Miles Davis (3) breaks a Carl Albert defender's tackle attempt during a game last season. Davis has become synonymous with the word elusive because of his ability to avoid being taken down.
Miles Davis does his best to ignore the noise.
The praise for the Lawton High running back is nearly inescapable, though, and understandably so. Entering his senior season, Davis is a household name in not only Lawton, but the entire state as well.
In his first stint as the Wolverines’ running back in 2017, Davis emerged as one of the best in the state at the position, rushing for 2,383 yards and 32 touchdowns on only 304 carries. That’s quite the jump from the 16 yards on three carries he had the year prior.
How did Davis acquire such skills to juke his way to glory? By participating in many renditions of a playground staple during his childhood, of course.
“I’ve always had them,” Davis said. “I had them when I was playing tag, too, so that’s where they really came from.”
Those attributes came by way of necessity as well.
Davis was on the receiving end of more than 200 tackles last season, but none of those tackles were easy for defenders. He might not be a big bruising running back, but he sure is elusive.
What he lacks in power he makes up for with his shiftiness, and the reason is simple — getting clobbered and slammed on the turf is his least favorite thing to do.
“That’s why I juke a lot,” Davis said. “I don’t want to get hit. It’s all about keeping your balance — that’s all it is. If you keep your balance, you’re going to stay up 97 percent of the time.
“I’ve had one concussion so far, and after that concussion, I wanted to go back in. But if you have one, you can’t go back in at all. I always want to be in the game, not out.”
Since his breakout season, Davis has received many honors.
First, he was named to The Oklahoman’s 105th All-State team and listed as an honorable mention on the Tulsa World’s version of the team. VYPE followed that up by making him a candidate for Mr. Football Oklahoma and adding him to the Class 6A-I All-VYPE team.
And most recently, Davis was selected to The Oklahoman’s Super 30.
It would be easy for anyone to lose their humble persona in the midst of receiving all those accolades, but not for Davis. After all, Davis had plenty of practice ignoring the outside noise long before his rise to prominence.
It wasn’t always good noise he had to disregard, though.
Davis said he has never been jeered or heckled by opposing players or their fans, but even if he had, his time as a little league sports referee would’ve certainly helped him maintain his composure.
Davis became a ref during his freshman year, officiating football and basketball during his free time after practice. He’s thinking about becoming a softball umpire as well to earn more money.
However, officiating isn’t for the faint of heart.
Refs often receive criticism — justified or not — from fans and parents alike in youth sports, ultimately leading to a ref shortage. Davis said he understands the struggles facing officials like himself, but he knows how to counter the negative comments.
“When you’re a referee, all you have to do is just ignore everybody and do your job,” Davis said. “It’s actually kind of hard because they know you hear them, but you gotta ignore it. It’s complicated sometimes.”
Davis’ ability to compose himself is not only a reflection of himself, but also his family.
Being a celebrity within his school is one thing, but his most important duty is tending to his younger siblings.
“Being an older brother, you have to help them and show them the things that you go through,” Davis said. “And once you go through that stuff, it’ll be simpler for them growing up.”
Every day, Davis wears a cross necklace given to him by his younger brother, who attends Central Middle School. It is a daily reminder of the role he plays in his brother’s life.
“I’m his role model, and he wants to play the exact same position I have,” Davis said. “So I’m going to keep working and show him everything I have.”
Davis’ siblings, along with his parents, are major supporters of his football career, and their spirit is easily identifiable in the stands every week. In fact, the family has already made numerous T-shirts in preparation for the season.
“I think they have like 20 of them,” Davis said. “My sister’s shirt says “Youngest Sister of Miles Davis”, and she has my last name and my number on the back. My brother is wearing my hoodie.”
FUN FACT
Davis lived in Killeen, Texas, before moving to Lawton in the 2nd grade. After only two years in Southwest Oklahoma, Davis’ father was stationed in Baumholder, Germany.
After a two-year stint in Europe, Davis’ father retired from the military, and the family moved back to Lawton about six years ago.
Davis said he is happy his family has finally found a place to settle down.
“I’ve never liked traveling,” Davis said. “Traveling is not in me. My whole family likes traveling, but not me. I’d rather stay in one spot.”