The Miami Trace Panthers are in the final days of preseason practice, preparing to host the Tigers of Waverly High School in the season-opening game this Friday.

The Panthers visited the county seat of Pike County last season and returned home after posting a 27-26 victory.

Miami Trace led the Tigers at one point last year, 27-13.

Waverly put on a charge and nearly came away with the win.

Waverly quickly responded with a 15-yard touchdown pass and the extra point brought it within seven.

Several penalties marred the next Miami Trace possession and they were forced to punt the ball back to the Tigers.

Waverly would turn the ball over on downs on the next possession, giving the ball back to Miami Trace. An interception would get the ball back for the Tigers but again they were unable to score.

The Panthers tried to run out the clock but were unable to get a first down and punted the ball back to Waverly with 42 seconds to go in the game.

On the first play of the drive, Waverly executed a hook and ladder trick play that got the ball into Panther territory. The very next play, Waverly went deep and the ball was deflected by a Miami Trace defender and the ball landed in the arms of a Waverly receiver who held on and raced into the end zone.

With just 26 seconds to go, it was decision time for the Tigers and they chose to go for the two-point conversion and the win. Waverly’s quarterback dropped back and rolled right, throwing the ball to the front corner of the end zone where Miami Trace senior Jake Manbevers was able to break up the pass to all but seal the victory.

The Tigers unsuccessfully attempted an onside kick, allowing Miami Trace to take a knee and run out the rest of the clock.

Waverly finished last season with a record of 6-4.

The Tigers lost in the first round of the Division IV, Region 16 playoffs, 37-7 to Springfield Shawnee, a team that went 2-1 in the playoffs last year, finishing 11-2.

Miami Trace has 13 seniors on its roster.

The seniors are: Malachi Jones, wide receiver and defensive back; Gaige Stuckey, wide receiver and defensive back; Evan Mollett, wide receiver and linebacker; Skye Salyers, running back and defensive back; Trey Robinette, quarterback; Jayden Jones, H and linebacker; Evan Colegrove, running back and linebacker; Brice Perkins, slot and defensive back; Drystyn Cowman wide receiver and defensive lineman; Walker Glispie, offensive line and defensive back; Brady Sheets, offensive lineman and defensive lineman; Christian Shadley, offensive lineman and defensive lineman; Levi Morrison, kicker.

(H is a position between the tight end and the slot back.)

“Last year was a growing year,” Williams said. “We were a young, talented team. We really didn’t know who we were, early on. Things kind of changed as the season went along. We were learning what type of team we were.

“We have a lot of talented players who are returning this year,” Williams said. “We had some key players (who graduated). Garrett Guess is playing Division I football at Lehigh University (located in Bethlehem, Pa.)

“We lost some very good and talented players,” Williams said.

“It’s going to be an exciting year this year,” Williams said. “This is a fun group of guys. We have a very strong core group of leaders who are seniors now. We have 13 seniors. They are a hard-working group of guys who will get after it. That’s what makes coaching fun — being able to coach those types of guys.”

Record-Herald assistant editor Tyler Flora contributed to this report.