Tigers defeat Flomaton 14-12 in quarterfinals, will now travel to Mobile Christian this Friday for Class 3A semi-final showdown
T.R. Miller and Flomaton each scored touchdowns in the first half of Friday night's 3A quarterfinal matchup in Flomaton. Miller's Matthew Morgan kicked two extra points and the Hurricanes failed on two two-point conversions that ended the scoring and sends the Tigers into the semi-finals this Friday after the 14-12 victory.
T.R. Miller will travel to Mobile Christian, which defeated unbeaten and No. 1 ranked Gordo 41-21 in Mobile this past Friday night. The winner of T.R. Miller vs. Mobile Christian will advance to the Class 3A title game in Auburn.
This past Friday night almost duplicated Flomaton's 21-12 win over Miller this season, but this time the Tigers got the final roar. Flomaton took the early lead but the Tigers rallied for the win.
Friday night, Flomaton jumped to a 12-0 lead, then didn't find the end zone again as the Tigers scored two touchdowns and added two PAT kicks to seal the victory.
“We're disappointed and there is a lot of would have, should have afterthought, but I'm proud of our team,” said Flomaton head coach Doug Vickery. “Friday night was an unbelievable atmosphere, it probably set a record for attendance. That's what you play the game for.”
“We played well at times and then had some mistakes,” Vickery said. “But give them credit, they played a great game. We missed two two-point conversions and that was the difference in the game.”
“This is a special group, especially our seniors,” Vickery said. “They can always claim they won the first region championship for Flomaton. I'm proud of the kids, the coaching staff and the administration. The fan support we have received is unbelievable.”
Miller took Flomaton's opening squib kick and began at its own 45. Miller fumbled and Flomaton's Daquan Johnson recovered, giving Flomaton a first down at the T..R. Miller 31-yard line.
Johnson picked up a first down at the 14 and moved it to the 2 before he carried it into the end zone for a touchdown. A two-point try failed, but Flomaton had the 6-0 lead with 9:03 left in the first quarter.
Miller's Devin Smith received Flomaton's squib kick and the Tigers began at their own 46 but couldn't advance the ball and was forced to punt.
Flomaton took over at its 15 and a pass to Tank Franklin had an apparent first down, but a holding penalty put the Canes in a first and 20 situation at the 8.
Johnson picked up the first down at the 37 and Alex Cash picked up a first down at the 47. Travon Brown picked up a first down at the Miller 42. On third and 8, Johnson picked up a first down at the 19.
Franklin carried the ball to the 12 as the first quarter came to a close with Flomaton leading 6-0.
On the first play of the second quarter, Brown scored on a 12-yard run. Another two-point play failed and Flomaton led 12-0 with 11:50 left in the first half.
Miller took over after the squib kick at its own 40 and an illegal procedure penalty put the Tigers in a first and 15 situation
The Tigers were able to pick up a first down at the 50, and facing a third and 8, quarterback Blake Jernigan scrambled for a first down at the Flomaton 34.
Kevon Samuel went off tackle and picked up a first down at the 5 and Narkavis Campbell carried it into the end zone from there. Morgan added the PAT and with 7:07 left in the half, Miller had cut the lead to 12-7.
Flomaton moved the ball into Miller territory but was forced to punt and Miller was back on offense with 1:37 left in the half.
Jernigan picked up a first down at the Miller 46 and Miller moved to first downs at the 42 and then to the 26 with 2.8 seconds left in the half.
A double pass allowed Jernigan to hit to hit Darius Webb for a touchdown. Morgan added the PAT and Miller took the 14-12 lead into the half.
Defense dominated the second half and when T.R. Miller failed on a fourth down play at the Flomaton 21-yard line, the Canes had one more opportunity with 1:44 remaining in the game.
An illegal procedure penalty put Flomaton in a first and 15 situation but Johnson hit Franklin to set up a second and 8. A sack and a dropped pass gave Miller the ball back with 41 seconds left and Jernigan took a knee to seal the victory for T.R. Miller.
On the night, Flomaton had 230 yards rushing on 41 carries and was two of eight passing for 10 yards for a total offensive effort of 240 yards.
Miller rushed 34 times for 182 yards and Jernigan hit on seven of 10 passes for 77 yards for a total offensive effort of 259.
