Colt Miller Nominated Again After Five-Touchdown Night for Bonney Lake

Colt Miller has done it again.

One week after earning a Football Athlete of the Week nomination, the Bonney Lake senior captain turned in an even bigger performance. Miller rushed for 235 yards and five touchdowns on just 25 carries in the Panthers’ 58–6 win over Spanaway Lake, averaging 9.4 yards per carry and helping Bonney Lake earn its first win of the season.

The five-touchdown performance earned Miller his second consecutive Athlete of the Week nomination and continued an impressive two-game stretch. A week earlier against Bethel, he carried 41 times for 246 yards and a touchdown.

“481 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns over the last two games.”

But Miller’s impact on Bonney Lake goes beyond the numbers. As a senior captain, his focus has been on bringing his teammates together, leading by example, and helping the players around him improve.

“I really felt like us as a team came together and played and finished strong.”

As a senior captain, Colt has embraced the responsibility of leading the Panthers.

“Being the senior, I’ve had to really step up.”

“My goal was to lift everyone around me, push everyone to achieve their goals, and make sure everyone knew they were cared about and had someone to lean on for advice and guidance wherever they needed or wanted to go.”

Colt credits Bonney Lake head coach Ashton Bruce as a major influence on his development. Rather than waiting for feedback, Colt made a habit of seeking it out.

“After every practice, I would walk up and ask him what he needed more from me. Every time, he’d tell me exactly what they needed and how I could help. That also tied into the leadership aspect.”

Colt’s football roots in the community go back to his time playing quarterback for the Bonney Lake Raptors, now known as the Bonney Lake Jr. Panthers. He played quarterback from fifth through eighth grade.

Today at Bonney Lake, Colt contributes at running back, strong safety, and quarterback. His workload and production have made him one of the Panthers’ central playmakers, highlighted by consecutive 200-yard rushing performances against Bethel and Spanaway Lake.

For Colt, Bonney Lake football is defined by relentless effort, discipline, and accountability.

“Every play, you go out and give your all and stay true to your job. When you do make a mistake, someone is there to help, coach, or lift you back up and keep moving.”

Away from the field, Colt also works at Ace Hardware, adding another responsibility to the schedule he balances with football and school.

After high school, Colt is still deciding what comes next, but he hopes football remains part of his future.

“I’d like to go to the next level and continue to play.”

Performance Lab congratulates Colt on his nomination and recognizes the relentless effort, discipline, accountability, and leadership he brings to the Panthers and the Bonney Lake community.