By By BRUCE HIXON-Sports Editor
After months of offseason conditioning, spring training, summer camps and more than three weeks of actual practice, the T.R. Miller Tigers have probably done as much as they can to get ready for Friday's 7 p.m. season opener at Brewton Municipal Stadium against the Escambia County Blue Devils.
The Tigers have several trends they will try to extend Friday. One of those is a quick start. T.R. Miller has won six straight season openers and 14 of its past 15. The lone exception in that span was a 14-12 loss to Clarke County in 1998.
Recent dominance against Escambia County is another area the Tigers will try to extend. T.R. Miller has beaten the Blue Devils 11 straight meetings since a 33-13 loss back in 1993. That included a 42-6 romp last season at Atmore.
The Blue Devils' victory Riggs referred to was Escambia County's 17-0 exhibition win over Georgiana Friday.
Much of Escambia County's offense in that game centered around quarterback Calvin Hartley (6-3, 185 lb. sr.). Hartley had an 11-yard rushing touchdown in that game and set up two other scores with lengthy pass completions.
Hartley primarily used the receiving corps of Kevin Green (6-1, 165 lb. jr.), Chris Andrews (6-2, 195 lb. sr.) and David Robinson (6-1, 160 lb. sr.) against Georgiana. Green had the biggest reception of the trio with a 60-yard gain.
When the Blue Devils keep the ball on the ground, they tend to use Darrell Stephens (5-10, 160 lb. sr.) and Lavelt Hale (5-10, 165 lb. jr.).
Escambia County's defense forced a pair of interceptions by Fred James (5-4, 160 lb. fresh.) and Jonathan McNeil (5-11, 170 lb. jr.) in its shutout performance Friday.
Advance tickets for Friday's T.R. Miller-Escambia County football game at Brewton Municipal Stadium can be purchased for $5 at Pic-N-Save, Endzone, Toods, Medical Center Pharmacy, and the Brewton Middle School and T.R. Miller high School offices.
Tickets at the gate will cost $6. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m.
Reserved seats are still available for T.R. Miller home games and can be purchased at the T.R. Miller High School office.