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Football Back Home For Friday Night Battle With Kettering Fairmont

Posted on: September 7, 2017

SETTING THE SCENE: Chasing its first 3-0 start in nearly a decade, the Milford High School football team returns to Eagles Stadium for the second of three straight home games on Friday night when they host Kettering Fairmont High School at 7 p.m. The start to the Tom Grippa coaching era could not have gotten off to a better start as the Eagles are averaging over 45 points per game in two impressive wins. A win against Fairmont will produce the first three-game winning streak to start a season for the Eagles since 2008. The game will be played on Military/Police/Fire Night at Eagles Stadium.

 

A LOOK BACK: Sept. 2 vs. Dixie Heights: Milford dominated Dixie Heights in all facets of the game, overwhelming the visiting Colonels by a 49-0 score in the Eagles’ home opener on Sept. 2 at Eagles Stadium. The Eagles’ special teams played a big role in the win, returning two Dixie Heights punts for touchdowns, including an 87-yard bolt by senior Evan Baugh. Despite running less than half the offensive plays the visitors did (68-31), Milford outgained Dixie Heights 319-203, averaging over 10 yards per play.

 

The Eagles (2-0) attacked early and often, scoring their first three offensive touchdowns on combined scoring drives of 2:08. After a lengthy opening drive by the Colonels, Milford went right to work as Blake King connected with Sam Pickett from 35 yards out for the game’s first score. Despite playing just three quarters, King finished 11 of 16 for 209 yards and three touchdowns. Junior RB Cameron Kells got two of King’s three scores for a total of 77 yards.

 

The shutout pitched by the Milford defense was the first by the program since a 36-0 win over Woodward in 2013. The 2-0 start for the Eagles is the team’s best beginning to a season since the 2008 squad started 3-0. In addition, Milford’s two punt return touchdowns were the first in at least a decade for the Eagles.

 

Click here to read the complete recap and here for the Milford-Dixie Heights game stats.

 

A LOOK AT THE OPPONENT: A look at Fairmont, Milford’s 2017 Week 3 opponent:

  • Friday, Sept. 8 vs. Fairmont, 7:00 p.m.
    • 2017 Record: 2-0
    • Top Offensive Player: Junior FB Jesse Geglow (232 yards rushing, 3 TDs)
    • Top Defensive Player: Sophomore LB Trey Baker (13 tackles)
    • Last Meeting: N/A

 

THE MATCH-UP: A look at the Milford-Fairmont match-up by the numbers (per game averages with conference team rankings):

  • Milford scoring offense (1st-45.5) vs. Fairmont scoring defense (5th-9.0)
  • Milford total offense (3rd-385.0) vs. Fairmont total defense (2nd-210.0)
  • Milford rushing offense (5th-90.0) vs. Fairmont rushing defense (3rd-94.0)
  • Milford passing offense (2nd-295.0) vs. Fairmont passing defense (12th-116.0)
  • Fairmont scoring offense (17th-17.5) vs. Milford scoring defense (2nd-19.5)
  • Fairmont total offense (10th-299.0) vs. Milford total defense (4th-306.0)
  • Fairmont rushing offense (3rd-298.5) vs. Milford rushing defense (1st-153.0)
  • Fairmont passing offense (20th-0.5) vs. Milford passing defense (7th-153.0)

 

INSIDE THE ECC: After two weeks of play, Milford and Anderson remain the only unbeaten teams, with a bevy of squads trailing by a single game at 1-1.

 

The Week 3 ECC schedule includes: Fairmont at Milford, West Clermont at LaSalle, Walnut Hills at St. Xavier, Anderson at Harrison, Covington Catholic at Kings, Western Hills at Turpin, Withrow at Northwest and Loveland at Miamisburg.

 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: A look at Milford’s statistical leaders:

Rushing Yards: Cameron Kells (92)

Passing Yards: Blake King (504)

Receiving Yards: Jake Ayler (184)

Tackles: Bryce Dugan (21)

Sacks: Bryce Dugan (2.5)

Interceptions: Evan Baugh (1)

Kickoff Return Yards: Evan Baugh (149)

Punting Average: Blake King (40.0)

Punt Return Yards: Evan Baugh (86)

 

POLL WATCH: With a victory to start the year 2-0, the Eagles have climbed another spot in the Sept. 5 edition of the Cincinnati Enquirer Division I area coaches’ poll, as they sit eighth in this week’s rankings. St. Xavier remains the favorite of the area coaches, earning seven of the eight No. 1 votes to take the top spot over Elder, who earned the other top nod. Moeller, Colerain and Mason round out the top-five. Walnut Hills is just outside the top-10 in the others receiving votes section.

 

The ECC also has a strong presence in the Division II rankings with four of the top-10 teams, headlined by No. 3 Anderson. Kings is just behind at No. 5, with Withrow in eighth and West Clermont in ninth. Loveland and Turpin are the two squads in the others receiving votes section. The coaches’ poll is released every Monday at Noon at preps.cincinnati.com/coachespolls.

 

“SPECIAL” TEAMS: Among the many positives to the start of the 2017 season for the Eagles has been the exception play of its special teams. Milford’s return teams have been game-changing, while the kick block squad has also made an impact. A look at some of the special teams highlights to date by game:

  • Oak Hills: blocked two extra point attempts by the Highlanders; Evan Baugh (69 yards) and Dylan Hughes (60 yards) each tallied lengthy kickoff returns that led to Milford touchdowns.
  • Dixie Heights: returned two punts for touchdowns; one an 87-yard bolt by Evan Baugh and the second a 39-yard dash by Dustin Loudermilk.

 

WHAT A DEBUT: When head coach Tom Grippa arrived in Milford, he did so with a reputation for a high-octane offense and he wasted no time in unleashing it in the opener against Oak Hills. Against the Highlanders, Blake King (295 yards passing) and Jake Ayler (160 yards receiving) posted the best individual performances by a Milford player in those categories in at least a decade. King also did damage with his legs, becoming the first Milford player since Chase Witte last season to score four touchdowns.

 

TICKET TALK: Once again this season, pre-sale tickets for all ages are available for all home and ECC away games only in the Milford High School Athletic Office for a cost of $5. Please note tickets for all ages at the gate are priced at $7 each. Come out and support the Eagles and save by purchasing your tickets in advance!

 

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