Coming off a 62-6 win over Excel Friday night, the T.R. Miller Tigers will hit the road this week as they travel to Bayside Academy—a team they have lost to the past two meetings.
Tiger head coach Jamie Riggs said in the win over Excel Friday night, he was able to play a lot of people, which could be a positive heading into this week at Bayside.
“We were pleased not only were we able to get the win, but we were able to play a lot of people,” Riggs said. “I was pleased about that. I thought we made some big plays earlier in the game, but I thought we got sloppier as the night went on. That happens some times when you get a lead. Anytime you get a chance to play a lot of folks, it is a good thing.”
Bayside enters the game this week with T.R. Miller with a 2-1 record overall and a 2-0 region record after taking down Opp last week 35-14.
“First of all, the last two years, not only have we lost to them, but we have not proved that we could win the big game on the road,” Riggs said. “Especially if you want to go deep in the playoffs you are going to have to beat someone on their home field. Two years ago we could not beat Trinity in two attempts and last year we lost to Handley up there. So, for all intensive purposes, this is like a playoff team and it is like playing a playoff game and seeing if we can pull off and win on the road. We have a great challenge in front of us.”
Riggs said Bayside is very similar to what they have been in the past.
“They have really quick running backs on offense,” Riggs said. “They have a really good offensive line and do a really good job of running their offense. Their quarterback, Hunter Slater No. 7, is an outstanding quarterback and could be the best quarterback we will see all year. He is really good with his ball fakes, is a very accurate passer and is very mobile. They are really skilled on offense.”
On defense, Riggs said they are led by big linebacker, No. 25 Jonathon Walton.
“He and the rest of those guys play really hard on defense,” Riggs said. “They also have a really good kicking game with a really good kicker. They do a lot of things with him as far as the way they punt and do onside kicks. We have our work cut out for us. It will, by far, take our best effort to win this game. If we play really hard and disciplined, I think we will be in the game down there in the fourth quarter and have a chance to win it.”
As of the writing of this story on Tuesday, T.R. Miller was ranked No. 3 while Bayside Academy was No. 8.
Along with beating T.R. Miller twice in the last two meetings between the two teams, Bayside has won 11 consecutive class 3A region 1 games. Bayside’s most recent region loss is a 35-22 defeat by Trinity on Oct. 8, 2010.
Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Bayside Academy.