High School Football: Miller's season ends with area round loss to PSJA North

Miller had several reasons to be proud after putting together another winning season and securing a spot in the playoffs for a school-record four consecutive seasons.

But nothing could erase the sting of a 35-14 Class 5A Division I area round loss to PSJA North on Friday at Cabaniss Multipurpose Stadium.

PSJA North took advantage of two early turnovers to jump out to a 14-0 lead.

Alejandro Aparicio proved the difference for the Raiders after scoring four touchdowns on runs of 4, 14, 87 and 39 yards to finish with 231 rushing yards.

Ethan Greenwood brought the Bucs back within seven after scoring on a 1-yard carry at the end of the first half, but the Raiders scored 21 second half points to secure the victory.

Broderick Taylor also added a 1-yard touchdown run for Miller's second and final score of the game. Quarterback Jaedyn Brown completed a team-best 14 passes for 135 yards for the Bucs.

The Raiders advanced to the regional quarterfinals to play Brownsville Veterans Memorial, a 74-59 winner against Victoria West.

Miller's season concludes at 10-2.

Key moments

The Raiders got the start they needed by recovering an onside kick to start the game. Miller went on to get the ball back, but a fumble recovery by PSJA North led to a 4-yard touchdown run by quarterback Alejandro Aparicio. The Raiders took advantage of an interception by scoring on a 78-yard run by Ethan Guerra to take a 14-0 lead. Miller marched downfield behind the legs of Ethan Greenwood and Broderick Taylor to set up Greenwood's 1-yard touchdown run with four seconds remaining in the first half. The Raiders outscored Miller 21-7 in the second half behind three more Aparicio scores. Taylor provided the Bucs' final touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter.

Key players

Aparicio finished with 231 rushing yards and scored four touchdowns on runs of 4, 14, 87 and 39 yards. Greenwood had 14 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown and Taylor added 11 carries for 61 yards and a touchdown. Lonnie Adkism caught nine passes for 111 yards in his final game and Jayden Moreno caught six passes for 62 yards.

What the coaches said

Miller coach Justen Evans on the Bucs' season-ending loss to PSJA North: "We just didn't take advantage. We got some stops and we knew they were going to try and shorten the game, so we had to make sure our possessions were efficient. We just weren't efficient tonight. We turned over the ball, gave up the onside kick on the first play of the game, fumbled and gave them a short field. It was just a combination of stuff."

Evans on his senior class playing their final game: "I'm so proud of them. Those seniors have won a lot of football games. It's never easy when you get to the playoffs and it's time to go home. I wanted it so bad for them, but we just weren't able to pull it off."

What the players said

Miller running back Ethan Greenwood after his final game with Miller: "It hurts. I've been grinding it out with this team for three years now, went to battle with these boys, went to war. Sometimes it's just the way the cookie crumbles. We came out trying to take what they gave us. Little mistakes we made and lot of stuff didn't go our way, but that's that's the way it goes sometimes. You have to battle adversity."

Miller senior Lonnie Adkism on his message to the underclassmen: "Just keep working. Remember this second round exit and keep working. I told them next year it's their year. They just have to keep grinding because it's their year."

Up next

PSJA North vs. Brownsville Veterans Memorial, TBA

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Miller's season ends with area round loss to PSJA North