T.R. Miller will host the Hillcrest Evergreen Jaguars in round three of the playoffs Friday.

Hillcrest is coming off a 30-27 win against American Christian, while TRM is coming off a 49-8 win over Pike County.

Even though TRM defeated Hillcrest 30-20 at the last facing, TRM head coach Jamie Riggs believes the game earlier in the year “can tell only so much” as to how both teams have improved at this point.

“It was nearly two months ago when we last played,” Riggs said. “(Hillcrest) has improved a lot since that last meeting. Towards the end of the season they played some tough competition. Playing that type of competition can only make you better.”

In the playoffs, the Tigers have found their offensive stride. The team is averaging 58 points a game. Since 2000, when the Tigers score 40 or more points their record is 82-1.

As to the offensive flow and tempo of the game, Riggs said the team has thrown the ball a little more and feels the offense has to be effective with the pass and run at this point of the year.

“I think when you get to the playoffs you do throw the ball a little more,” Riggs said. “As you play different teams and find out what they’re good at you try to do things to keep them off balance.

Every competitor is good at this point, so we have to be able to run and throw the ball.

“We got to be able throw the ball effectively if we want to win the game.”

TRM has a 16-5 record in the third round of the playoffs. Hillcrest will be playing in its first third round game in its school history.

Should TRM advance to play the winner of Bayside Academy versus Gordo and Gordo wins, TRM will travel to Gordo in the semifinals.

Should TRM advance and Bayside Academy defeats Gordo, TRM will host Bayside Academy in the semifinals.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. in Brewton.