Derek Garcia, Triston Handson aid Sinton football in upending Miller in state-ranked showdown

(This story has been updated with more information: added player and coach quotes.)

The No. 4-ranked Sinton football used the bruising rushing attack of Derek Garcia and Triston Handson and swarming defense to stun No. 10 Miller 23-16 at Buc Stadium in a marquee battle between state-ranked teams.

Sinton took the opening kickoff 65 yards for a touchdown, capped by a pass from Handson to Jacoby James, tacked on a 2-point conversion and did not waver in controlling the game and limiting the potent Miller offense.

The Bucs were not only held to a season-low 16 points, but were limited to 47 yards rushing.

Sinton coach Michael Troutman scheduled all six non-district games against foes that made the playoffs last season and said it was important Friday that the team was battle-tested against a talented team like Miller.

"They have speed, size and scheme and (a game like this) makes us better," Troutman said. "All the opponents are like that. We have goals that are bigger than preseason. It is district goals. Playoff goals.

"This is part of the process to get the results we want to get later down the road."

Garcia (139 yards) and Handson (91) combined for 230 yards on the ground for the Pirates.

In big moments, James made big play after big play, catching two touchdown passes, finishing with five catches for 127 yards along with adding an interception on defense.

The Miller offense struggled the few times it pushed inside the red zone and was held to three points in the final 28:41 of the contest.

Eathen Vela led the Bucs with 10 catches for 172 yards.

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They said it

Sinton's Jacoby James on what it took to come away with a big win: "We had to lock in during the week. We knew we had a big opponent this week. I felt like our guys did a great job throughout the week and came out on Friday and did what we do.

"Our coaches are hard on us, and at the end of the game the discipline pays off. It did tonight."

Sinton's Derek Garcia on the importance of the physicality and toughness that the team played with: "We put that 'Sinton' factor on them from the start. Without the O-Line we wouldn't have been able to get those yards and the defense kept stopping them over and over. It was a team effort at the end of the day."

Sinton coach Michael Troutman on how the team's toughness led to success: "Toughness is one of our core values. It is bred in Sinton. It is who we are. It is getting knocked down and getting right back up. That is Sinton Pirate football. Four quarters of smashmouth, hard-nosed tough football. I still believe the game is won in the trenches. The tough man wins games. That is what we preach and what we practice and think.

"It is still a violent game and we are going to play like it. That is our mindset."

Up next

Miller (3-2) is open before beginning district play in two weeks; Sinton (5-0) hosts Calallen next Friday.

NON-DISTRICT

No. 4 Sinton 23, No. 10 Miller 16

Sinton 8 8 7 0 — 23

Miller 6 7 0 3 — 16

SCORING SUMMARY

First quarter

SIN — Jacoby James 15 pass from Triston Handson (Derek Garcia conversion), 7:42

MIL — Broderick Taylor 8 run (conversion failed), 4:57

Second quarter

SIN — Handson 5 run (Garcia conversion), 6:09

MIL — Corey Holmes 51 pass from Trevor Long (Christian Torres kick), 4:41

Third quarter

SIN — James 15 pass from Handson (Andrew Silva kick), 4:08

Fourth quarter

MIL — Torres 25 field goal, 5:04

TEAM STATISTICS

First downs: (S) 14; (M) 11

Rushes-yards: (S) 55-222; (M) 19-47

Passing: (S) 132; (M) 285

Comp-Att-Int: (S) 7-13-0; (M) 18-27-1

Punt-Avg: (S) 1-53; (M) 2-42

Fum-Lost: (S) 1-0; (M) 0-0

Pen-Yds: (S) 5-25; (M) 8-61

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Sinton, Triston Handson 24-91, Derek Garcia 27-139, Mykha Green 1-0, Qwincy Rhines 1-1; Miller, Trevor Long 3-6, Broderick Taylor 16-41

PASSING: Sinton, Handson 7-13-0—132; Miller, Long 18-27-1—285

RECEIVING: Sinton, Green 2-5, Jacoby James 5-127; Miller, Roderick Taylor 1-6, Eathen Vela 10-172, Corey Holmes 4-76, B. Taylor 3-31

RECORDS: Sinton 5-0; Miller 3-2

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Derek Garcia, Triston Handson aid Sinton football in upending Miller in state-ranked showdown