Leading only 14-6 heading into the fourth quarter in the first round of the class 3A state playoff game against Greensboro Friday night in Brewton, the T.R. Miller Tigers exploded for 21 fourth quarter points to grab a 35-6 win over the Raiders.
With the win, TRM moves to 10-1 this season and will advance to the second round of the state playoffs next week when they travel to undefeated Montgomery Academy. MA defeated Daleville 45-30 Friday night in Montgomery. Greensboro finished their season with a 7-4 record.
TRM’s win was mainly set up by the play of Tiger Trae Walker. Walker had three interceptions in the win Friday and also had a 94-yard fumble recovery for the Tigers late in the game. Earlier in the game, Walker caught a pass from backup Tiger quarterback Chardian Johnson for 23 yards.
In the game Friday, TRM led 14-0 after one quarter of play, but the offense sputtered the rest of the night. After Greensboro cut the lead to 14-6 in the second quarter and at the half, the Tigers and Raiders failed to score in the third quarter.
In the fourth, starting quarterback Jones Manning got the Tigers’ offense back on the board as he entered the game and scored on a 1-yard run. Ahmaud Taylor added another score for the Tigers to give TRM a 28-6 lead with 5:16 left in the game.
Walker’s fumble recovery for a touchdown was the final score of the night as he gave TRM a 35-6 lead with 1:58 left in the game.
McHenry Coleman had TRM’s first score of the night on an 11-yard run with 8:02 in the first. Johnson’s 23-yard pass to Walker put TRM up 14-0 with 3:57 left in the quarter.
Greensboro’s lone score came on a 59-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. TRM’s Hunter Brittain was a perfect 5-for-5 on his PATs for the night.
Overall, TRM’s defense had three interceptions and three forced fumbles in the win.
“I am just happy to win,” TRM head coach Jamie Riggs said. “Greensboro obviously has some great players. They really caused us some problems during the game. I am proud of our bunch for hanging in there. We finally made some plays in the second half and I was proud of our defense for stopping them down there.”
The win was TRM’s 651st overall win after getting No. 650 last week over WSN by a score of 18-17 in overtime.
Also with TRM’s first round win, the Tigers now have the most 10-win seasons all-time. The Tigers were tied with Colbert County and Hazlewood with 24 seasons in which they have won at least 10 games.
Also with the win, the Tigers now have 85 playoff wins. The win ties Hazlewood for the most in Alabama high school football history. The Tigers also hold the state record with 32 first round playoff wins. TRM is now 24-0 in first round home games, which is the most without a loss. Hazlewood won 24 first round playoff games with one loss before the school closed.
Since falling to Opp, TRM is 4-0 and has outscored their opponents 114-23. The Tiger’s defense has allowed less than six points in three of last four games.
For more on TRM’s win Friday night along with comments from Walker and defensive coordinator Chris Baxter, please see Wednesday’s paper.