By By Adam Robinson- Sports Editor
The 2008 T.R. Miller Tiger football team has seen some dramatic comebacks this season that have resulted in some key wins to keep them undefeated this season.
The Tigers had a 22-21 win over Escambia County in the first game of the season, a 17-14 win over Clarke County on the road in week five. A 14-13 win in week seven at Luverne helped them win the championship in region one this season.
But on Friday night, the Tigers had to stave off a furious comeback from the Daleville Warhawks to win 21-20 and advance to the semifinals of the Alabama High School state playoffs at home against Cordova.
Even though his team won Friday night, Riggs said that he, his coaching staff, and his team learned some things.
While the finish may have been both an exciting and scary one for the Tigers, one scary thing is the loss of senior running back Matt Lane on the first play from scrimmage Friday.
When asked if the loss of Lane had an impact on Friday night or this week's game against Cordova, Riggs said it shouldn't make a difference.
This week's opponent for the Tigers is the 10-3 Cordova Blue Devils. Cordova is the defending state champions in class 3A. Cordova scored 27 points in the fourth quarter of their semifinal game against region rival Gordo and won 48-40. The win advanced the team to the semifinals.
The Blue Devils are led by senior running back No. 23 Tim Simon (6-2, 216 pounds) and junior quarterback No. 5 Ryan Smith (6-2, 200 pounds).
Simon, who is committed to Ole Miss, has run for over 2,000 yards, rushed for 2,562 yards this season and has scored 33 touchdowns. He is currently fourth place in the AHSAA history books for career rushing yards.
Cordova comes into Friday's game averaging 41 points a game and giving up 30 points.
T.R. Miller averages 39 points a game and gives up an average of 13 points a game on defense.
Cordova has scored at least 39 points in 11 of their 13 games this season. The other two games were losses in which they scored 12 and 27 points. In their other loss, Cordova scored 49 points.
Cordova's offense has scored 535 points this season and T.R. Miller has given up 168 points.
So what gives when your defense is allowing 13 points a game and your opponent's offense is scoring 41 points a game?
T.R. Miller is back in the semifinals of the playoffs after failing to make it in 2006 and 2007. The last time the Tigers were in the semifinals, they lost at Pike County.
This week will be a home semifinal playoff game. In 2004, T.R. Miller lost to Oneonta in the semifinals at home.
Riggs said the key to winning Friday night and claiming the Tigers first berth in the Super Six since 2002 would be to make Cordova punt.
Game time is 7 p.m. at Brewton Municipal Stadium. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.