While W.S. Neal has been eliminated from playoff contention after falling to Opp 27-24 Friday night, the Eagles would definitely like to end their rival T.R. Miller’s perfect season—and they will get their chance Friday night at home in the annual Battle of Murder Creek game.
W.S. Neal fell to 4-4 overall and to 3-3 in region play after Friday’s loss to Opp while T.R. Miller is 8-0 overall and 6-0 in region play.
W.S. Neal head coach Doug Hoehn said despite the loss, it was a good game.
“The kids fought hard,” Hoehn said. “The game went back-and-forth. We had a chance to win it there at the end, but just came up a little short. The kids are playing hard. With the injuries we are having, we are having to keep a lot of the kids on the field the whole time—on offense, defense and special teams. I think that is hurting us a little bit. Quenton ran the ball well for us.”
Samuels finished with 185 yards on 22 carries and had three touchdowns. Malcolm Hawthorne was 7-for-13 for 162 yards and a touchdown.
“I thought Malcolm threw the ball well for us,” Hoehn said. “Zack Williams and Khadarrious Taylor did a good job of blocking upfront for us. Michael Williams and Trey Taylor did a good job catching the ball. Michael had three catches for 94 yards and a touchdown and Trey had two for 56 yards. Defensively, Michael played well for on defense. He had 14 tackles, nine solo and five assists. TyAnthony Alexander had seven tackles with six solo and one assist. I thought both teams played hard and played well. We just came up a little short on the final drive.”
As for T.R. Miller, Hoehn said the Tigers have several good players.
“They have several good running backs,” Hoehn said. “I think their quarterback is playing well. I think their offensive line is blocking well. Their defense is running to the ball really well. I think they are playing good football right now. It will be a big challenge for us.”
W.S. Neal is lead by leading rusher Quenton Samuel who has 1,844 yards on 175 carries and 20 touchdowns this season.
T.R. Miller is led by Dominique Jackson who had 950 yards on 81 carries and has 16 touchdowns.
At the quarterback spot, Malcolm Hawthorne is 13-for-30 with 236 yards for the Eagles of East Brewton. Hawthorne has two interceptions and two touchdowns this season.
T.R. Miller is led by Kieon Smith at the quarterback spot. Smith is 24-for-44 passing this year with 543 yards and nine touchdowns and no interceptions.
Trey Taylor is W.S. Neal’s leading receiver with seven catches for 119 yards. Kellyn Winn leads T.R. Miller with eight catches for 203 yards and three scores.
T.R. Miller has scored a total of 359 points this season while allowing 119. W.S. Neal has scored 243 points while allowing 127 this season.
T.R. Miller is outscoring W.S. Neal 133-48 in the first quarter and 119-66 in the second while the Eagles hold an 80-74 in the third quarter and 49-33 in the fourth quarter.
In the first quarter, W.S. Neal has allowed 35 points to T.R. Miller’s 17 while the Tigers have allowed 16 points in the second quarter and W.S. Neal has allowed 29.
In the second half, T.R. Miller has allowed 40 points in the third quarter and 46 in the fourth while W.S. Neal has allowed 36 total points in the third quarter and 27 in the fourth.