By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
After getting off to one of the best starts in recent team history, Escambia County High’s Blue Devils suffered their second lopsided defeat in two weeks, a 42-7 setback to T.R. Miller last Friday, October 13.
ECHS’s offense couldn’t get untracked against the visiting Tigers and their stingy defense, which has allowed an average of just 57.6 yards per game, and the ECHS defense had trouble slowing the TRM offense.
Offensively, sophomore quarterback Jamarion Robinson completed 9-of-18 passes for just 87 yards and no touchdowns. The longest completion for Robinson, who remains two TD tosses away from tying the school record, was a 17-yard hook-up with Tai Henderson.
Lorenzo Arnold hauled in 3 passes for 38 yards to lead the ECHS receivers. Henderson had 2 catches for 32 yards.
The Tigers also shut down the Blue Devils ground game, as 17 running plays netted just 79 yards. James Whatley and E.J. Thomas each ran the ball 6 times, with Whatley picking up 30 yards, and Thomas 23. Markavion Dixon got the team’s only TD with a 6-yard burst, and Luis Garcia kicked the PAT.
On the defensive side of the ball, Michael French was again the leader. French was credited with 6 tackles, 2 of those for lost yardage. Cali McCants had 4 stops, while Marrion Hooks, Exavion Bradley and Gabe Hooks had 3 each.
Bradley and Gabe Hooks each sacked the TRM quarterback once, and Marrion Hooks successfully defended a pass.
The Blue Devils will travel to Daphne on Friday to take on Bayside Academy, with the fourth and final playoff slot from Class 4A, Region 1 at stake. Jackson, T.R. Miller and St. Michael Catholic have each clinched a postseason spot.
ECHS must pull off an upset against the Admirals to stay alive headed into their October 27 regular-season finale against winless region foe Orange Beach, which travels to play Wilcox Central (1-6) this Friday.