CLASHING ON THE GRIDIRON: Bobcats prepare for opener against T.R. Miller
Published 12:05 am Thursday, August 31, 2017
The Opp Bobcats know they have their work cut out for them when they host T.R. Miller on Friday night in Opp for the opening game of the 2017 high school football season.
Despite Opp coming in as the No. 6-ranked team in Class 3A, the Bobcats don’t expect unranked T.R. Miller to be a pushover. This is only the second season since the Alabama Sports Writers Association began releasing a preseason poll that T.R. Miller was not in the Top 10.
“They are very good team,” Opp head coach Brent Hill said. “They have good size on the line, two big fullbacks and a tailback that runs well. They also have a quarterback that is a game manager and one that can hurt you with his legs. This is one of the better Miller teams that I’ve seen in recent years.”
Hill said that he just wants to see his guys doing what they are supposed to do on Friday night.
“At this point in the year, you want to see them executing what they learned throughout the summer and into the fall,” Hill said. “No. 1, we want to see how they respond, and No. 2 is to see how well we can execute. This is a good team and it will give us a good gauge on what we have to improve going forward.”
This week, Hill said the Bobcats have had a couple of good practices.
“It’s been really good this week,” Hill said. “The kids are just excited to be able to get on the field against another team. They have been working hard this whole team and now they tired of beating up on each other.”
Hill said that the Bobcats how shown a lot of energy at practice as well.
“There has been a lot of energy,” Hill said. “We want them to be excited, but we are preaching to them that they can’t lose focus. Of course this is a physical game, but it’s just as much mental. We have to go out there play hard and do the things that we have been taught.”
Hill said that the main thing he wants to see on Friday night is his players playing to their ability.
“I don’t want to see us back down,” Hill said. “T.R. Miller is the type of team that can be intimidating, but we will not back down from anyone. The No. 1 thing that I want to see is them playing hard and executing. If we don’t execute, we are in trouble against a team like Miller. You know when you play a team like this that you are getting ready for the playoffs.”
Opp and T.R. Miller kickoff at 7 p.m., Friday in Opp