Confidence is brewing again in Athens.
Led by junior dual-threat quarterback Jayden Miller, the McMinn County football team landed its most significant win of the season in a game they trailed 23-7 at halftime.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Miller accounted for 332 total yards and four touchdowns, which included the game-winning 26-yard touchdown pass to Noah Glenn in the fourth quarter of Friday's 30-29 home victory over previously unbeaten East Hamilton.
"This was a big win for our program," said Miller, who is the Times Free Press Player of the Week for his performance. "Even though it wasn't a region game, I believe it sparked us. We now believe we are a really good team when we all come together and play for one another. This win will help us believe we can win big games and come back against good teams."
There was no answer to stopping Miller in the second half during which his offensive line helped pave the way for success.
Miller rushed for the first two scores of the third quarter. After each touchdown he showed sheer willpower by also accounting for a pair of 2-point conversion runs to tie the game at 23 with 3:18 left in the third.
Staff File Photo by Matt Hamilton / McMinn County quarterback Jayden Miller (9) scored four touchdowns and added two, 2-point conversions in last Friday's comeback non-region home win over East Hamilton.A blocked extra point by the Cherokees' special team unit helped set up a dominant game-winning drive that covered 96 yards on 11 plays finishing with Miller's scoring pass on a night he completed 14-of-19 for 180 yards.
"Coach (Bo) Cagle came up to us before that drive and said we are going to run it down their throats and beat them up mentally and physically," Miller said. "We all had faith in each other. I remember looking around the huddle and all of the guys said we were going to win this game."
Showing the doubters wrong in a game where they were considered underdogs, Miller and company look to continue to build off a signature victory. McMinn County's only losses this year came against stout foes in Rhea County, Bradley Central and Cleveland who all are having superb seasons.
Miller has certainly been an X-factor for Cagle's program as he has thrown for 658 yards and six touchdowns while also carrying the ball 81 times for 449 yards and 12 scores.
"Our line really stepped up and the receivers made great plays with the balls in their hands to help us beat a really good East Hamilton team," Miller said. "This was certainly one of my best games yet since I have started here, but so many others stepped up to help me have a big night."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.