The Houston Academy (Dothan, AL) varsity football team will face T.R. Miller (Brewton, AL) in a neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 22 at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs – 3A tournament, with both teams competing for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Alabama High School Football Playoff
Who: T.R. Miller vs Houston Academy
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs – 3A
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: High School Football Showdown: T.R. Miller vs. Houston Academy

As the high school football season reaches its climax, the performances of T.R. Miller and Houston Academy have drawn attention, with both teams showcasing remarkable records and high-powered offenses.

T.R. Miller’s Dominance

T.R. Miller has had an outstanding run in the 2024-2025 season, finishing with a perfect 12-0 record in the regular season. Their performance in both regional and non-regional games has been nothing short of impressive, maintaining a flawless win percentage of 1.000.

The team’s offense has been dynamic, scoring a total of 480 points, averaging an impressive 40 points per game. They have dominated in all phases of the game, from their strong regional play to their commanding performances at home, on the road, and in neutral-site games, all of which ended in victories. The defense has been just as formidable, allowing only 96 points in the regular season. This balance between offense and defense has given T.R. Miller one of the most well-rounded teams in the state.

Scoring Averages by Quarter:

• Q1: 12.3 points
• Q2: 16.3 points
• Q3: 7.0 points
• Q4: 5.3 points
• Final: 40.0 points

This scoring breakdown shows that T.R. Miller starts strong, especially in the first half, before closing out games efficiently. Their ability to perform under pressure and maintain a steady offensive flow is a testament to their consistency and coaching.

Houston Academy’s Stellar Season

Houston Academy, ranked 67th in overall standings, has also put together an impressive 11-1 record in the regular season. With a region record of 6-1 and a solid overall win percentage of .917, they have proven themselves to be a formidable opponent in their own right.

Their offense has been potent, putting up 532 points, averaging 44.3 points per game. The team has displayed remarkable consistency, particularly at home where they posted a perfect 6-0 record. Their balanced offensive attack has seen them perform well in both high-scoring games and more controlled matchups.

Scoring Averages by Quarter:

• Q1: 13.3 points
• Q2: 14.1 points
• Q3: 10.8 points
• Q4: 7.0 points
• Final: 44.3 points

Houston Academy has demonstrated a strong start to their games, particularly in the first half, with a slight drop in scoring as the game progresses. However, their ability to maintain offensive pressure throughout the game makes them a dangerous team in any situation.

Comparing the Two Teams

While both T.R. Miller and Houston Academy have put up incredible offensive numbers, T.R. Miller has been particularly dominant in their first-half scoring. Houston Academy, though also strong offensively, has shown a tendency for slightly lower scoring in the second half of games.

T.R. Miller’s defense has been exceptional, limiting their opponents to an average of just 8 points per game, a clear advantage over Houston Academy, who have allowed an average of 12.67 points per game. T.R. Miller’s ability to shut down their opponents’ offenses while continuing to produce at a high rate on offense positions them as one of the top teams in their class.

As two of the top teams in their respective regions, T.R. Miller and Houston Academy have shown dominance on the field. With impressive records and standout individual performances, both teams have built strong cases for their continued success. Below, we compare key team stats, individual leaders, and their records to give fans an insight into what could be an exciting matchup.

Team Stat Comparison

• Offensive Power
  • T.R. Miller excels in a balanced offensive attack, averaging 182.8 rushing yards per game alongside 226.9 passing yards. This balance makes them a dual threat on the field, accumulating a total of 409.8 yards per game. Houston Academy, on the other hand, is slightly more one-dimensional with 182.8 rushing yards per game and 226.8 passing yards, but they still show strong offensive capabilities, especially in the air.
• Defensive Strength
  • Defensively, T.R. Miller averages 56.5 tackles per game, suggesting a tough, gritty defense. The team also records 1.8 sacks per game, showing their ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks. Houston Academy, while also strong defensively, averages fewer tackles per game at 51.2, with 1.5 sacks per game. Both teams are formidable on both sides of the ball, but T.R. Miller edges Houston Academy slightly in total defensive output.
• Scoring and Efficiency
  • T.R. Miller has been highly efficient in scoring, averaging 44.3 points per game, while Houston Academy is slightly behind with 38.3 points. Both teams are capable of putting up big numbers, though T.R. Miller’s offense has been slightly more potent.

Team Leaders

• Rushing
  • T.R. Miller’s #22 Andrew Gil leads his team in rushing, averaging 54.1 yards per game. This performance is significantly above the national average of 20.2 yards per game, showing that Gil has been a key contributor on the ground. Houston Academy’s rushing leader is slightly more modest in comparison but still effective in the backfield.
• Passing
  • When it comes to passing, T.R. Miller’s #2 Kadyn Mitchell is one of the top quarterbacks in the region, throwing for 222.3 yards per game. This far exceeds the national average of 51.2 passing yards per game. Houston Academy has solid passing stats as well, but Mitchell’s numbers give T.R. Miller a noticeable advantage in the air.
• Receiving
  • Gabe Glover has been a standout receiver for T.R. Miller, hauling in 102.4 yards per game, well above the national average of 17.3. Glover’s ability to dominate in the passing game adds another dimension to the team’s offense. Houston Academy also boasts strong receiving options, but they are not on the same level as Glover in terms of yardage.
• Tackling
  • Defensively, T.R. Miller’s #23 Hughes Williams is a key player with 7.0 tackles per game, surpassing the national average of 2.7. This solid tackler anchors a defense that has been excellent in stopping opponents. Houston Academy has a strong defense as well, but Williams’ numbers give T.R. Miller a slight advantage in the tackle department.
• Sacks
  • Miller Rane from T.R. Miller contributes to the team’s defensive line, recording 0.3 sacks per game, while the national average for sacks is 0.2. Though Rane’s sack numbers are modest, his presence has been felt in the trenches, and he helps disrupt the opposing offenses.
• Scoring
  • Gabe Glover also leads T.R. Miller in scoring with 10.0 points per game, which is significantly higher than the national average of 2.6. His ability to find the end zone makes him an invaluable player for the team.

Common Opponents

Both T.R. Miller and Houston Academy have faced Trinity Presbyterian this season, with both teams coming away with victories. T.R. Miller won 21-7 in a road game on November 15, 2024, while Houston Academy secured a 28-21 home victory on October 25, 2024. These games highlight the competitive nature of both teams, as they were able to handle a common opponent effectively.

Record Breakdown

• Overall Records
  • T.R. Miller boasts an undefeated record of 12-0, reflecting their dominance in both league and non-league play. Houston Academy is slightly behind with an 11-1 record, but their performance this season has been equally impressive. Both teams have been perfect at home, each with a 6-0 record.
• League Play
  • T.R. Miller has a perfect 6-0 record in league play, while Houston Academy is 6-1, showing a strong showing in their respective conferences.
• Head-to-Head
  • Both teams have not yet faced each other, but with their shared history against Trinity Presbyterian, fans can expect a highly competitive matchup when they eventually meet.

Conclusion

Both T.R. Miller and Houston Academy have shown exceptional talent this season. T.R. Miller leads in several categories, including total yards, points, and key individual performances from players like Kadyn Mitchell and Gabe Glover. However, Houston Academy remains a formidable opponent, with solid statistics and the potential to challenge T.R. Miller’s dominance.

As the season progresses, the possibility of a head-to-head matchup between these two teams is an exciting prospect for fans, with the winner possibly solidifying their place as one of the top teams in the region.