By By Randy Winton
and Kerry Whipple Bean
Eighth-grader Eric Maye ran for three touchdowns Friday night, becoming the youngest Tiger to step on the field in a varsity game in T.R. Miller’s 62-14 home win over Central-Hayneville.
The No. 1-ranked Tigers are now 4-0 and 3-0 in Class 3A Region 1 play. Head coach Jamie Riggs said Friday’s game allowed him to give some of the younger players — including Maye — some experience on the field.
T.R. Miller dominated early, scoring on each of its first three offensive plays. Anthony Herbert ran 66 yards for a touchdown after the opening kickoff. The second touchdown followed a Central Hayneville fumble that Conner Denton recovered and returned to the 1-yard line. Herbert then made the touchdown on the next play.
Maye scored his first touchdown following another Central-Hayneville fumble, which Denton also recovered. Maye ran the ball in 16 yards, his first carry as a varsity player.
T.R. Miller scored 35 points in the first half thanks to five fumbles by Central-Hayneville. Jaron Jackson had one touchdown and Jamaal Spears had two in the first half.
The Tigers built a 48-0 lead in the first half when Central-Hayneville scored its first touchdown on a pass play with 47 seconds left in the second quarter. Brandon Burke caught the 22-yard pass from quarterback Danny Dudley, but a two-point conversion failed.
T.R. Miller scored twice in the second half, with another Eric Maye run and a Kori Jackson 35-yard run.
In the fourth quarter, Central-Hayneville scored again on a 1-yard run by Danny Dudley. This time the conversion was successful.
T.R. Miller fans clapped for each touchdown by Central-Hayneville, which brought a sparse crowd to the game.
In passing, Wil Riggs was 0-for-2 and Conner Denton was 1-for-1, with 30 yards.
In receiving, Ryan Hunt was 1-for-30.
Spreading the play around and allowing some Tigers the rest will help the team prepare for next week’s game against Clarke County, Riggs said.
The Tigers play Clarke County at home beginning at 7 p.m.