By By SCOTT COOPER – Sports Writer
With either a win or a loss in Friday night's Battle of Murder Creek, the T.R. Miller Tigers have qualified for a spot in the Class 3A playoffs. However, according to Miller head coach Jamie Riggs, the fact that Miller has secured a playoff spot in no way diminishes the intensity with which the Tigers approach the game against archrival W.S. Neal.
Miller enters the contest with a 5-3 overall record and 4-2 regional record and is coming off a narrow, hard-fought 19-13 loss last week against second-ranked Pike County. Riggs said the Tigers had their chances against Pike County and feels his team is playing well.
Although the Tigers' 5-3 record might appear to be a drop-off from past years' teams, those three losses have been by a combined total of eleven points. Riggs has stated throughout the season that his team is a work in progress, and said he feels the Tigers have improved to the point that they are a match for any team in the state.
In preparing for Friday night's game, Miller will be focusing on taming a Blue Eagles' team that has also improved as the season has progressed. Riggs said his team must be prepared for a well-balanced Neal squad that is coming off an impressive win.
Riggs said that although emotions will be running high Friday night, the key to victory would likely be the same as for any other game.