By By SCOTT COOPER – Sports Editor
After breezing through the first two rounds of the Class 3A playoffs while outscoring the opposition 70-0 in the process, there is little doubt the T.R. Miller Tigers are playing their best football of the season.
The Tigers thoroughly dismantled seventh-ranked Dadeville 35-0 in a first-round game before duplicating their efforts in a 35-0 thrashing of third-ranked Tarrant this past Friday night in round two.
In each game, Miller performed with machine-like precision while completely dominating the action on both sides of the ball.
Miller head coach Jamie Riggs concedes the Tigers have been at their best the past two weeks, but said there is no room for overconfidence as his team continues in its bid for the Class 3A state championship.
Two of those earlier losses came in games in which Miller surrendered 27 points to Straughn and 35 points to Andalusia.
Based on the tenacity and discipline the Tigers' defense has shown recently against some of the state's most potent offenses, it is apparent much improvement has been realized in that area over the course of the season.
In this week's third-round playoff game against Springville, Miller (8-3) will be facing another team that possesses a tough, hard-nosed defense.
Springville was ranked No. 10 in the latest poll and enters the contest with a 10-2 season record after a 13-6 second-round playoff victory last week over Straughn.
According to Riggs, this week's winner will likely be the team that is most successful negating what the other does well.
Game time is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Brewton Municipal Stadium. The gates will open at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are available for $5 and in accordance with state high school regulations, there will be no reserved seating. All season and complimentary ticket holders must buy a game ticket per AHSAA rules.