PREVIEW: Miles Looks to get Second District Win Against Abilene TLCA

MILES – The Miles Bulldogs are looking to start stacking wins again against the Abilene TLCA Eagles Friday night after beating Hamlin last week.

Abilene TLCA Eagles (0-7, 0-2) vs Miles Bulldogs (5-2, 1-1)

Miles put the Albany loss behind them and beat up on the Hamlin Pied Pipers 28-0 to get their first win in district. This week, they’ll take on a young Eagles team that isn’t just new to 11-man football but is one of the younger programs at the moment.

It’s been a rough season for Abilene TLCA but growing pains are expected when moving up a classification and playing an entirely new kind of football. Junior Jonathan Kirk is the playmaker out wide and in four games this season, took 18 receptions for 227 yards and four scores. Two offensive linemen, Zaidryn Moreno-Nobles and Davin Cortez add some size up front on the line.

But it’s the freshman quarterback, Jonathan Rico, who has a chance to take this program somewhere over the next few seasons. Rico has gone 55-148 for 537 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions in four games and had put up 199 yards and four scores on the ground.

According to Maxpreps, the Eagles only have three seniors on the team, so they have high hopes for the future. But this season is now, and the Bulldogs are hungry for not only a playoff spot, but a playoff win.

Hayven Book is having a great season and through six games went 81-134 for 1,314 yards, 22 touchdowns, and two interceptions. Cooper and Carson Ellison have put together 45 receptions for 644 yards and 11 touchdowns in those games. Jaylen Torres put up 228 yards and three scores.

Miles has been impressive on the ground as well. Devin Medina, Tanner Wood, Dylan Garza, and Book put up nearly all of Miles’ 826 rushing yards and have 11 touchdowns. Young players like freshman backs, Dalton Fischer and Reid Petrey, have gotten into the games as well.

Defensively, the team leader in tackles is sophomore Jaxon Petillo, with 52 tackles, one sack, and one caused fumble. Holton Wilson has 43 tackles, eight for loss, and a fumble recovery. Another young player, sophomore Colton Kelly, has 15 tackles and an interception. In all, Miles has six interceptions, three from Carson Ellison, 10 fumble recoveries, and four caused fumbles.

Abilene TLCA will have their hands full with this Bulldog team and expect Miles to play hungry to stay in play for the second spot in district. The Albany loss really hurt the Bulldogs chances at being district champs, but they could drop a couple games, so anything is possible. But it all goes out the window if they lose another game this regular season.

District Standings:

1. Albany Lions
2. Roscoe Plowboys
3. Miles Bulldogs
4. Hamlin Pied Pipers
5. Cross Plains Buffaloes
6. Abilene TLCA Eagles

Other games inside this district:

• Albany (5-2, 2-0) vs Roscoe (4-2, 2-0)
• Hamlin (5-2, 1-1) vs Cross Plains (5-2, 0-2)

Tune into COVER1 on Friday for exclusive coaches’ interviews, score updates, highlights, and more at around 4:00, 8:00, and 10:00 p.m. only on San Angelo LIVE!