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Defense Keys Eagles Shutout Of West Clermont
Throughout Milford’s 2023 campaign, its often been the high-scoring, high-flying Eagle offense that has grabbed the headlines. But over the last four-plus games, it’s been the defense at the forefront and Friday night was no different as Milford shutout rival West Clermont 27-0 to improve to 9-0 on the season and clinch at least a share of the 2023 Eastern Cincinnati Conference Championship.
The shutout was Milford’s third in the last four games. And the Eagles have allowed just 14 points in the last 18 quarters of play, spanning four-and-a-half games, dating back to the second half of the Kings contest. Behind 10 tackles and a pair of sacks from senior LB Tofa Luani, Milford yielded just 123 yards of total offense to the Wolves in yet another outstanding defense performance.
The offense was keyed by senior RB Nathan Webster who picked up his fifth 100-yard game of the year, finishing with 141. He also scored three touchdowns for the fourth time this season.
Milford started the night going 67 yards in 12 plays on the opening possession of the contest to go in front 6-0 on a two-yard plunge by Webster. After the defense scored a three and out, a Milford fumble deep in West Clermont territory turned away another potential scoring opportunity.
The Wolves countered with their best scoring opportunity of the evening as they moved into the Milford redzone, but a 35-yard field goal came up short against heavy pressure from the Eagles defense. As the game rolled over into the second quarter, Milford took advantage of the missed field goal, capping the drive off when QB Luke Brand went up top and found a streaking Ethan Melgard for a 43-yard TD strike less than two minutes into the second.
Turnovers and punts were the order of the balance of the second quarter with Brand getting intercepted at the goal line thwarting a solid Eagle scoring threat. The scoreboard showed a 13-0 Milford lead at the half.
To start the third, the Milford D got another quick stop, but the Eagles were pinned deep in their own end following a punt and penalty. No problem for the home team as they ran over seven minutes off the clock, going 85 yards in 19 plays to take a 20-0 lead on a one-yard rush by Webster.
West Clermont took advantage of a fourth quarter Eagle fumble to move into the redzone again, only to turn the ball over on downs with just over five minutes remaining. Looking to run off the game’s remaining time, the combo of Webster and Warther did just that, with Webster putting an exclamation point on his night with a dazzling 40-yard TD run with under a minute remaining.
With a first-round playoff home game already locked up, the Eagles will look to finish 10-0 and clinch the outright league crown next Friday night when they host Turpin on Senior Night.
Click here for final game stats.
