The 2011 T.R. Miller Tiger football team shows some new faces and some key positions this year, but who could ever count out a Jamie Riggs football team?
T.R. Miller went 8-4 last season and lost long-term starters Wil Riggs, Anthony Herbert, Jaren Jackson and some offensive and defensive line players.
Lets see how the 2011 season could turn out for the T.R. Miller Tigers:
Aug. 26: Escambia County—This game is always a big non-region and in county game for the two rivals of Atmore and Brewton. Last season, the Tigers and the Blue Devils started their seasons off with an overtime game against each other in Atmore with the Blue Devils earning a one-point win. Atmore surprised a lot of teams last year with their success under first year head coach Mark Heaton. The Blue Devils lose elusive quarterback Ricco Stallworth, but have two college commitment studs on the defensive line in Dalvin Craft and Tyler Nero. This game could go either way. Will the two defensive players be hard for the Tiger offense to score on? I see Atmore getting their second straight win over the Tigers in another close one.
Escambia County 21, T.R. Miller 20
Sept. 2: Bayside Academy— In 2009, the Tigers of Brewton had to hold on for dear life as they squeaked out a win over the Admirals. Last year, Bayside stunned T.R. Miller to drop the Tigers to 0-2 for the first time since coach Riggs’ first year in Brewton in 1989. I do not see T.R. Miller losing to Bayside this year as they even their record at 1-1 and get their first region win of the season.
T.R. Miller 35, Bayside Academy 21
Sept. 9: at Excel—This will be the first road game for the Tigers of the 2011 season. Excel, who came up from 2A last season, played T.R. Miller tough in the first half, but the Tigers blew the game up in the second half to win 64-7 for their 600th win all time which is most in the state. Excel has a new coach this year in former Cottage Hill head coach Rusty Mason. Look for T.R. Miller to improve to 2-1 and to 2-0 in region play.
T.R. Miller 35, Excel 13
Sept. 16: at Montgomery Academy—Montgomery Academy was really down last year. Coach Riggs says he thinks the Eagles will be very much improved this year, but I do not think that will be enough as T.R. Miller will get the win.
T.R. Miller 35, Montgomery Academy 14
Sept. 23: Andalusia—In week five, Andalusia comes to Brewton for a non-region game. This will be the reunion of the 20th anniversary for the 1991 T.R. Miller state championship teams. Last year Andalusia came in undefeated and Riggs thinks they will undefeated again this year. This came is another tossup, but look for a little of the 1991 magic to get the Tigers to another win.
T.R. Miller 28, Andalusia 27
Sept. 30: Clarke County—Week six brings Clarke County to Brewton for homecoming. The Tigers rallied late against the Bulldogs to get a win in Grove Hill. These two teams always play tough against each other and I expect this year to be no different and the Tigers should get a homecoming win.
T.R. Miller 34, Clarke County 24.
Oct. 7: at Washington County— What an exciting game this was last year. Down in the final seconds, T.R. Miller scored on a Hail Mary pass with no time left and won the game on a two-point conversion to stun the Bulldogs. This year, the Tigers make the long trip to Chatom. Look for Washington County to return the favor to the Tigers as they drop T.R. Miller to 5-2.
Washington County 28, T.R. Miller 27
Oct. 14: Trinity— Following a loss at Washington County, T.R. Miller meets up with Trinity at home in Brewton. Of the four losses last year for T.R. Miller, Trinity gave the Tigers two of them. In the playoff loss to Trinity on the road, the Tigers lead 14-0 before allowing 21 unanswered points to the Wildcats to lose 21-14 and see their season end. Both losses were on the road last year and with the game being in Brewton this year, I am giving the Tigers the nod to get the win.
T.R. Miller 28, Trinity 24
Oct. 21: at Montgomery Catholic—Week nine brings Montgomery Catholic to Brewton for homecoming. After a close game last week to Trinity, I see T.R. Miller getting an easy win over Montgomery Catholic in their final region game of the season.
T.R. Miller 49, Montgomery Catholic 13
Oct. 28: at W.S. Neal— After two straight losses to W.S. Neal in 2006 and 2007, T.R. Miller has since defeated W.S. Neal three straight times outscoring the Eagles 145-24. This game is a big rival game for both teams. With this game, who knows what can happen. We will have to wait until week 10 because, like in the past, I am not going to pick this one.
I see T.R. Miller going 7-2 not counting the Battle of Murder Creek game against W.S. Neal. Depending on how the Trinity, Atmore, and Washington County games go could change the season for the Tigers. T.R. Miller should be one of the four region teams that goes on to the playoffs. While these are just predictions, a lot of things can happen in a season. We will just have to wait and see how the season unfolds. Until we meet again her or out in the world of sports, God bless.