Gulf’s gameplan was neutralize DJ Pickett with triple coverage for most of the game, but the Bucs forgot about Roe Miller.
While Pickett was limited in his touches Friday night, Miller lit up the scoreboard with four touchdowns in the Bulldogs 48-21 win over the Bucs on the road.
With a defensive scheme aimed at6 stopping Pickett, Zephyrhills coach Nick Carroll saw opportunities to run the ball effectively with Miller and quarterback Xzavier Jackson.
Miller scored on runs of 25, 15 and 1-yard plus a TD reception for 49 yards. Late in the third quarter, Miller was a one-man show keeping the drive alive before plunging into for the touchdown from the one.
“Without a doubt I couldn’t have done what I did tonight without the offensive line,” Miller said. “We communicated from beginning to end. We realized our assignments with attention to detail and we got the job done.”
Xzavier Jackson added another passing score when he hit AJ Jackson with a 45-yard strike in the third quarter.
Zephyrhills got a pair of defensive scores with Jaden Jones taking an interception 43 yards for a touchdown and Kingston McCullough grabbing a fumble and making a videogame, zigzag return 82 yards for another score. Senior linebacker David Llanes forced the fumble.
“You get defensive touchdowns on big plays, and you have to put the defense right back on the field.,” Carroll said. “They are fighters. We practiced what they do and the kids bought in and they worked really hard.”
There is little time to celebrate as “Rivalry Week” starts Monday in preparation for Friday’s road game against Pasco.
“We get a chance to go back to work Monday a get ready for the rivalry game. Regardless of the records, this is a game where there is a lot of community pride. We’ll be excited and I’m sure Pasco will be too.”
Miller is excited too. It’s more than just a backyard rivalry for him.
“I love going to Pasco,” Miller said. “It’s about family. It’s more than a rivalry. With family up there, I have to put on for them.”