By Rich Brown
rbrown@joplinglobe.com
The Miller High School football team has seen enough of Thayer in the last two years. In fact, too much.
The Cardinals, who lost twice to the Bobcats last year and again last month during the regular season, will be traveling to Thayer for another Class 1 matchup at 7 p.m. today. Both teams will meet, just as they did last year, in the second round of the MSHSAA state playoffs. Last year the Bobcats eliminated Miller 28-21 and went on to finish runnerup to state champion Orrick in a 34-28 double-overtime thriller.
“They have a good program and a lot of good players,” said Miller coach Dustin Baldwin. “They are physical and primarily have a running game, and they run the ball right at you.”
A big part of the Thayer running game revolves around 195-pound senior Josh Huckabee, who, Baldwin said, has been averaging between 150 and 160 yards rushing per game.
Not only that but, also, the Bobcats feature pretty good size on the line.
“They have a 295-pound left tackle and the rest of the linemen are between 240 and 250 pounds,” Baldwin said. “They are pretty nasty up front.”
Thayer, ranked fourth in the final regular season state poll last week, will take a 9-1 record into the game against the 9-2 Cardinals.
“We cannot be hesitant and must get after them,” Baldwin said. “They are the kind of kids that if you sit back on your heels at all, they will take advantage of it.”
In addition to the 54-14 loss to the Bobcats last month, Miller also dropped a 20-18 decision to Spring River Valley Conference foe Greenfield this season, finishing tied with the Wildcats for the conference championship. Both teams ended with 6-1 marks and both are now in the second round of the playoffs.
In last week’s opening round of state play, Miller toppled Jasper 36-12 and Thayer downed Lockwood 36-21.
Miller showed a lot of offensive punch against the Eagles behind quarterback Justin Jack and running back Daniel Parscal.
Jack, playing in only his third game of the season after breaking his leg in the season opener, completed 16 of 33 passes for 274 yards and scored three touchdowns. What is even more remarkable is the 6-foot-1, 180-pound junior completed nine of 20 passes for 191 yards the first half.
“Although still a little rusty in only his third game, he is a great player,” Baldwin said.
The 5-foot-9, 175-pound Parscal added two more touchdowns on 230 yards rushing.
Baldwin also complimented his offensive line in doing a good job against Jasper.
“A lot of our guys are stepping up and playing the best they have all year,” he said.
