CALIFORNIA — Gabe and Josh Miller have experienced multiple relationships with each other.

The Seneca Valley graduates are brothers.

Gabe was a volunteer assistant coach at SV while Josh was a senior defensive lineman.

Now they are teammates for the California (Pa.) University football team — and believe the best is yet to come.

The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Gabe Miller is a starting outside linebacker for the Vulcans as a sophomore. The 6-2, 220-pound Josh Miller is a true freshman at California and has been starting on special teams.

“My goal is to accomplish the same thing Gabe did — start as a sophomore,” Josh said. “I know I have a lot of work to do between now and then.

“It'd be great to start alongside my brother at linebacker in college.”

When NCAA Division II canceled its 2020 season due to COVID 19, Gabe returned to his alma mater to help coach his brother. Josh wound up making all-state, accumulating 49 tackles and 11 quarterback sacks for Seneca Valley.

“That was a cool experience, going back to coach where I played and to be part of my brother's senior year,” Gabe said. “He had a great season.”

Gabe had a pretty good high school career in his own right. He was a two-time all-conference player at SV and has been a scholar athlete at Cal.

California head coach Gary Dunn said he did not recruit Josh Miller because Gabe was already on the roster.

“We don't bring in somebody just because he's one of our players' brothers,” Dunn insisted. “Josh was recruited on his own merits.

“He's made an impact on special teams for us already. I fully expect him to compete for a starting job next year.”

While Josh has 10 tackles this season — primarily on special teams — Gabe is fifth on the Vulcans with 35 tackles, including 16 solo stops. He has four tackles for loss and three quarterback sacks.

“Outstanding young man who comes from an outstanding family,” Dunn said of Gabe Miller. “Gabe's work ethic is second to none. He just gets after it. He does the same thing in the classroom.

“He's one of the hardest working guys I've ever coached.”

That work ethic has Miller starting on a defense that ranked third in all of Division II — allowing just 11.4 points per game — prior to last week's 38-26 loss at Slippery Rock. The defeat was the Vulcans' first of the season.

California ranked fourth in Division II in yardage allowed per game (214.9), seventh in rushing defense (78.8 yards per game) and ninth in passing defense (136.1) prior to allowing 552 yards to The Rock.

“They hit us with some punches. We took one on the chin,” Gabe said of the loss. “When things aren't going well, our coaches always say 'breathe, blink, breathe, blink ...' just settle down and refocus.

“We're hoping we get another shot at them.”

California will likely make the Division II playoffs with a win Saturday at Bloomsburg.

Gabe considered Duquesne, Youngstown State and Fairmont State before deciding on California.

“I love it there,” he said. “There's a new culture here defensively under (defensive coordinator) Mike Craig. No. 1 is to be coachable. No. 2 is to pay attention to detail. The little things mean a lot.”

Josh described his older brother as “a big help” in getting him to where he wants to be.

“Gabe's already done what I'm aspiring to do — start as a sophomore,” Josh said. “He's completed that path and he's helping me to do the same.”

The Vulcans' football program may benefit from that process.

“All I know is we're very blessed to have both of those guys,” Dunn said.