T.R. Miller upends previously unbeaten Orange Beach, 38-13

Makos fail to convert final six third downs, can’t get offense going in region battle with Tigers

By Cole McNanna
Sports Editor
cole@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 9/16/22

ORANGE BEACH – The T.R. Miller Tigers ran past the No. 8 Orange Beach Makos 38-13 to hand the host Makos their first loss in region play Friday night at the Sportsplex.

It was also the first …

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T.R. Miller upends previously unbeaten Orange Beach, 38-13

Makos fail to convert final six third downs, can’t get offense going in region battle with Tigers

Posted

ORANGE BEACH – The T.R. Miller Tigers ran past the No. 8 Orange Beach Makos 38-13 to hand the host Makos their first loss in region play Friday night at the Sportsplex.

It was also the first loss under new head coach Jamey DuBose, who said he took the blame of the loss squarely.

“Uncharacteristically, we had adversity tonight and I don’t think we handled it well, that’s my fault and this loss is on me,” DuBose said. “I’ve gotta do a better job of coaching us and I’ve gotta do a better job of preparing us and that’s all I can say.”

The head coach said third downs were also a key to the game where T.R. Miller converted 5-of-10 opportunities – including a subsequent fourth-down conversion – compared to Orange Beach’s 2-for-9 mark. The Makos failed to convert the final six third downs they faced.

“We just weren’t able to make some plays and we couldn’t get them off the field on third downs,” DuBose said. “Third downs killed us tonight; we couldn’t convert, and they could.”

Still, DuBose felt no lack of confidence in his squad after its first loss of the season to a similarly-solid Tiger team.

“We’re still a good football team, we just had a bad night. We got behind and then started pressing a little bit and we got out of our element,” DuBose said. “The kids gave a valiant effort; my hat’s off to our players, they played hard but T.R. Miller was too much for us tonight and I’ve gotta do a better job of getting our team ready.”

First-drive magic for Orange Beach

The Tigers won the coin toss and elected to defer which gave the ball to the hosts off the bat.

The Makos went on a 12-play, 65-yard drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown rush from Chris Pearson. The series also included a big hookup to John Wallace Holladay and a key scramble from quarterback Cash Turner that got the Makos on the doorstep of the goal line.

“The opening drive was really good,” DuBose said. “They did a really good job of executing and doing the things we needed to do, I just thought we had to press and throw the ball too much (after we got down).”

Reddell wriggles down the sideline for six

Orange Beach’s other touchdown on the night came from Turner who connected with Will Reddell around the T.R. Miller 45-yard line. Reddell secured the catch and broke one tackle while tight roping the sideline then outran the Tigers’ supporting defenders to the goal line for a 52-yard touchdown.

The Makos’ score on the first play of the drive directly answered a 25-yard, pick-six from Christopher Williams that gave the Tigers a 22-7 lead earlier in the second quarter.

Up next

Orange Beach returns home next Friday to host the Class 1A McIntosh Demons who opened the season 1-1.

Money quotes

“This is the first adversity we’ve faced all year, so again, everything’s not going to be cherries all the time,” DuBose said. “We’ve gotta pick up the pieces and go back to work.”

“The bad thing about football is that you’ve gotta wait seven days to play again so we can’t get better for seven days but we’re going to try to feel better at this time next week,” DuBose closed.

Other Baldwin County final scores

Blount 18, Baldwin County 0

Daphne 25, Baker 14

Fairhope 55, Davidson 28

Gulf Shores 45, Leflore 12

Hooper Academy 68, Snook Christian Academy 40

Jackson 30, Bayside Academy 10

Northview (FL) 49, Elberta 24

Saraland 50, Robertsdale 0

St. Michael Catholic 45, Satsuma 8

Theodore 29, Spanish Fort 21