After a week off last week, the T.R. Miller Tigers will get back on the field this week and host the Excel Panthers in their final region game of the season. The game will also be TRM’s homecoming and Legacy Game.
TRM and Excel have met four times with the Tigers winning all four including last year’s game by a score of 54-14. TRM has outscored the Panthers 222-27.
The first meeting saw TRM win 64-7 followed by a 42-0 win, and a 62-6 win in 2012.
Excel comes into the game with a 3-5 overall record and a 2-3 region record after defeating Geneva Friday night 24-22.
TRM head coach Jamie Riggs said he thinks Excel is playing better offensively right now.
“Certainly, they are much better throwing the ball,” Riggs said. “Against Geneva the other night, they really threw the ball well. They have an exceptional wide receiver in No. 2, Quamie Penn. He is outstanding. He is one of the better receivers we have seen this year. He runs good routes and has great hands.”
Riggs said Excel’s quarterback, No. 11, James Hudson, plays well also.
“The other night, I was really impressed with his accuracy,” Riggs said. “So, from that standpoint, they are in the shotgun throwing the ball a good bit. That looks to be their strength. They also have some good quick running backs they like to use once they spread you out. We are going to have to outscore them. The last few weeks, they have really improved offensively.”
As for his team off the bye week, Riggs said he would have to see Friday night if it was beneficial to his team or not.
“We took a little time off to give everyone, players and coaches some rest,” Riggs said. “We were able to get away from some things. From a mental standpoint, I think that was beneficial. It also gave us an opportunity to work on some things that needed fixing. We worked on our kicking game, some passing game, and a our pass defense. Also, it allowed for some of our injured folks to heal up some. We are getting closer, but still a ways to go with some of them.”
This Thursday, TRM will kick off their Legacy Game festivities. At 6:30 p.m., an alumni flag football game will be held on the practice field. Tiger Talk will be held at the stadium at 5 p.m. with some former players that have come in for homecoming.
“We look forward to that,” Riggs said. “This week, all our players have been collecting donations for the Yancey Jernigan Foundation. We will have the game on Friday, but at halftime on Thursday, we will announce who all will be playing for around 7:30 p.m.”
Riggs said the most important part of homecoming is to beat Excel.
“The difficult part about all that with everything going on is to get focused,” Riggs said. “Like I reminded the players several times…if you don’t win your homecoming game, it is going to be hard to have a great homecoming.”
Game time is set for 7 p.m. in Brewton with other festivities planned throughout the week and day.