By By Chandler Myers
The Escambia County Blue Devils traveled to Brewton Friday night to open their season with their annual rivalry game against the T.R. Miller Tigers, but could not overcome turnovers in a 27-12 loss.
The Blue Devils (0-1, 0-0) fell behind early to the Tigers (1-0, 0-0) as they scored two touchdowns and missed an extra point to go up 13-0.
Aside from the early scores, the Blue Devils’ defense played tough early snagging an interception and covering up a fumble, but were stopped on the following offensive possessions.
Blue Devils head coach Kyle Davis said the effort from his team was not what he expected.
After allowing the Tigers to go up 13 points, the Blue Devils offense kicked it into high gear driving 90 yards, and capped off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Rico Stallworth to senior Rayvon Madison. The teams went in at the half with Miller ahead 13-6.
Offensively, Stallworth led the Blue Devils rushing attack with 71 yards on nine carries and a touchdown. He was also 5-for-14 through the air with 70 yards and a touchdown.
After halftime, the Blue Devils defense came back out and stopped the Tigers on their first possession.
The offense then moved the ball well again with a big 37-yard pass from Stallworth to sophomore receiver Derrick Williams, which set the Blue Devils up first and goal. On the following play, Stallworth ran the ball in behind his offensive line to pull his team within one point.
That would be as close as the Blue Devils would get as the Tigers wore out the defense with the ground game, while supplying some support through the air.
The Tigers offense would pound away for the remainder of the game scoring two more touchdowns to pick up a 27-12 victory over their rivals.
Tigers head coach Jamie Riggs said despite mistakes his team was able to stay focused and come up with a win.
On the opposing sideline, Davis saw his team lose the energy they had as the Tigers pulled away. He said he felt the difference in the game was not being able to stop the Miller offense from moving the ball.
Next week, the Blue Devils travel to Prichard to take on the No. 1-ranked Vigor Wolves in their first region game of the season.
Davis said the team needs to get focused this week as they prepare for the defending Class 5A state champions.
The Blue Devils and Wolves kickoff at 7 p.m.