MILES, TX — The Miles Bulldogs began the 2023 season with a beatdown of the Kermit Yellowjackets 72- 12 on Friday night.
In the playoffs last year, Miles had a frustrating exit in the first round when they lost by one point to the Sterling City Eagles. Sterling City went deep into last year's playoffs. The Bulldogs want another chance and started the new season off with a huge win over 3A Kermit. One thing head coach Jayson Wilhelm said during the year was that Miles needed to learn how to win and make it the team's culture.
The Bulldogs' statement on Friday night was putting up 10 touchdowns on the Yellowjackets and this goes a long way to making that culture change the coach wanted. Bulldog quarterback Hayven Book was 19-27 for 254 yards. That includes five passing touchdowns and one interception. On the ground, Book added four carries for 39 yards and one touchdown.
Book helped lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back 7-on-7 state championships and has scary weapons to throw the ball or hand it off for a running play. On the ground, Miles had 20 attempts for 283 yards and five touchdowns. Junior running backs Tevin Meade and Devin Medina made winning strides, too. Meade rushed seven times for 122 yards and three scores and Medina ran eight times for 120 yards and one touchdown.
Cooper Ellison caught seven passes for 85 yards and three touchdowns from Book. Dillon Medina led the Bulldogs in yards through the air with 112 yards on nine receptions, taking one to the house. Meade and Devin Medina added 67 yards and one score while Jaylen Torres caught one pass for 14 yards.
The Miles defense stepped up as well, giving up 182 yards to the Yellowjacket offense. Kermit's 112 of the 182 yards — plus one touchdown — were put up by senior running back Devonte Dawson. The Kermit passing attack was all but shut down as Yellowjacket quarterback went 2-12 for 32 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.
Ellison, Torres, and Devin Medina each busted through for one sack each and Meade led the team in tackles with 15. The Medina Brothers snagged the interceptions and Jaxon Petillo recovered a fumble that Devin Medina forced.
Coach Wilhelm spoke to COVER1 after the game.
The Bulldogs changed up the defensive scheme this season and it looks like the change worked. With an offense as potent as Miles has and the defense taking care of business, this Miles team could avenge the 2022 season where their playoff run was cut short.
Next week, the Bulldogs meet a familiar opponent when they take on — who else? — the Sterling City Eagles, the team that booted them from the playoffs last season.
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