DAPHNE – Bayside Academy chalked up a big win against Class 3A powerhouse T.R. Miller Friday night; galvanizing its position as a division contender.

Now 1-0 in 3A and 2-0 for the season, Bayside defeated a rough and tumble Tiger squad in a game that wasn’t completely sealed until a last minute Scooter Blake interception of a Tiger pass in the end-zone as time ran out; a defeat that was eerily similar to last seasons T.R. Miller win over the Admirals with a last minute pick in the end zone as time ran out.

The game went scoreless through the first quarter, with Bayside putting up points in the second with a 15-yard touchdown run. Miller would score at the end of the first half with a 20-yard TD reception. Neither squad would score an extra point, leaving the score tied at the half 6-6.

Bayside would hit the ground running in the second half with a 62-yard Scooter Blake sprint for a touchdown with Geoffery Steinbaugh scoring the extra point. The Tigers would score late in the third quarter with a 13-yard Eric Mayes touchdown. T.R. Miller would miss the extra point leaving the score 13-12.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Admirals would score on a reverse where it seemed the entire Bayside offense would take turns holding the ball. First Buchanon, then Blake, who would hand off to Slater who, in turn completed a pass to Steinbaugh, who would score both the touchdown and the extra point, bringing the score to 20-12 with 10:27 left in the game.

T.R. Miller answered with a drive that resulted in a one-yard TD, and a successful Riggs to Bell two point conversion. Tying the contest with 3:23 on the clock.

Just under two minutes later, the Admirals would score on a seven-yard Buchanon touchdown with Steinbaugh nailing the extra point.

T.R. Miller still had plenty of fight left as the Tigers drove downfield to the Admiral 22 yard line, ultimately being stopped by a Scooter Blake interception.

Bayside starting quarterback Camp Campbell was forced to sit out the game with a shoulder injury, requiring freshman back-up Hunter Slater to lead the offense to a respectable 392 yards.

“Hunter stepped up and performed well” said head coach Phil Lazenby. “The assistant coaches and players all deserve credit for this win.”

Bayside will travel north on Interstate 65 next week to take on  Class 3A Montgomery Academy while T.R. Miller will host Excel.