For the past four days, Straughn has “weathered” many obstacles to get ready to host top-ranked T.R. Miller tonight.

Having already secured a playoff spot this season, Straughn (4-3, 4-1 in Class 3A, Region 1) is coming off two region victories against Central-Hayneville on Oct. 2 and Calhoun last Friday night.

Straughn defeated Central-Hayneville 62-16 and Calhoun 49-0, respectively.

No. 1 T.R. Miller (7-0, 5-0), on the other hand, has seen success as well defeating Luverne last week 27-24 and Calhoun the week before, 57-6.

“T.R. Miller is like most T.R. Miller teams,” Straughn coach Trent Taylor said. “They are very sound in every aspect of the game. They are sound on offense and they are sound on defense and they’re sound on special teams. They are a very well-coached team and they are very well prepared.”

Taylor said that T.R. Miller likes to “jump out” to an early lead before things can get going for its opponent.

He said Straughn cannot let Miller get out to a big early lead.

“That’s something we have got to avoid — giving up a first half and even a first quarter,” he said. “We’ve got to take care of the ball offensively — not turn the ball over and be real sound defensively and tackle well.”

Taylor said practice has gone well, despite the weather.

“It’s been a good week,” he said. “We’ve had to battle rain like everybody else. But, I think one of our kids said it best Monday when we got here to practice and it was raining and somebody said whether we’re going in the gym. The player said ‘heck no, it’s Miller week.’ You don’t go in the gym to practice football when you’re playing T.R. Miller.”

Right now, Straughn is tied for the No. 2 seed in the Class 3A, Region 1 standings.

The Tigers will host Luverne (also currently 4-1 in region play) next Friday night for the final region game of the season.

“We know we have two tremendous opponents with T.R. Miller this week and Luverne next week,” Taylor said. “If we can win both of those games, we’d finish top seed in region. You wouldn’t want it any other way at this point of the year, where you have a chance to be at the top seed.”

Kickoff at Straughn’s stadium is at 7 p.m.