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Football Opens At Edgewood As Grippa Seeks 200th Win

Posted on: August 19, 2021

SETTING THE SCENE: The 2021 prep football season has arrived and the Milford Eagles will kickoff the campaign with a Week 1 battle at Edgewood. The big story surrounding the Milford program is head coach Tom Grippa as the Eagles’ next win will be number 200 of the legendary coach’s career. Milford’s 2020 COVID-shortened season ended with the Eagles holding a record of 4-4. The Eagles will count on four returning offensive and seven returning defensive starters to improve on last year’s mark.

The match-up by the numbers
A look at the Milford-Edgewood match-up by the numbers (2020 per game averages & conference team rankings):

  • Milford scoring offense (3rd-26.5) vs. Edgewood scoring defense (6th-24.4)
  • Milford total offense (7th-303.9) vs. Edgewood total defense (1st-63.3)
  • Milford rushing offense (7th-119.8) vs. Edgewood rushing defense (1st-50.1)
  • Milford passing offense (4th-184.1) vs. Edgewood passing defense (1st-13.2)
  • Edgewood scoring offense (2nd-21.9) vs. Milford scoring defense (8th-29.9)
  • Edgewood total offense (3rd-299.0) vs. Milford total defense (7th-340.0)
  • Edgewood rushing offense (2nd-239.4) vs. Milford rushing defense (8th-190.1)
  • Edgewood passing offense (4th-59.6) vs. Milford passing defense (5th-149.9)


Inside the numbers
A look at Milford’s returning statistical leaders:
Rushing Yards: Natwan Webster (336, 2 TDs)
Passing Yards: Austin Hardin (1,185, 14 TDs)
Receiving Yards: Chase Duesing (339, 4 TDs)
Tackles: Jacob Smith (50)
Sacks: Cam Zoromski (6.0)
Interceptions: Five Tied (1)
Punting Average: Tofa Luani (34.0)
Kickoff Return Yards: Tahj Price (455)
Punt Return Yards: Jaxon Stickle (37)

A look at Edgewood’s returning statistical leaders:
Rushing Yards: Tavionne Crosby (754, 8 TDs)
Passing Yards: Eli Jones (270, 3 TDs)
Receiving Yards: Evan Swartz (75, 1 TD)
Sacks: Riley Payne (3.0)
Interceptions: Two Tied (1)
Punting Average: None
Kickoff Return Yards: Riley Payne (32)
Punt Return Yards: Jay Dailey (5)

Notable 2020 Performances by 2021 Returnees 

  • 2020 All-Eastern Cincinnati Conference selections: Logan Bartholoew (2nd team), Jaxon Stickle (2nd team), Tahj Price (honorable mention)
  • In just his second start as an Eagle, Natwan Webster rushed for 133 yards, while finding the end zone from five yards out for his first rushing touchdown of the campaign in Milford's week two contest against Turpin. His rushing total was the most by a Milford player since Cameron Kells gained 152 yards against Turpin on October 26, 2018.
  • Making his first-ever varsity start against a tough Winton Woods team, sophomore Austin Hardin was solid at QB for the Eagles. For the game, he completed 20 of 33 passes for 207 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
  • In his second-ever start, sophomore QB Austin Hardin went 17-of-29 for 314 yards and five touchdowns in Milford’s 55-26 win over Little Miami. Hardin threw TDs to three different receivers, including a pair of scores of over 40 yards. He was named Tri State Football Player of the Week for his efforts.
  • Junior WR Chase Duesing had the game of his life in the Eagles’ win over Little Miami. For the game, he caught five passes for 160 yards and a pair of touchdowns, both for over 40 yards. He entered the game with three catches for 44 yards for the season and had 163 yards receiving all of 2019.
  • Tahj Price recorded a 72-yard kickoff return against Colerain. The return was the longest by an Eagle since Chase Witte’s 83-yard return for a touchdown at Walnut Hills in 2015.
  • Two Eagles turned in brilliant performances in the win over rival Loveland:
    • Austin Hardin: threw for a career-high 351 yards and five touchdowns. The sophomore signal-caller completed 16 of 20 throws and added 24 yards on the ground.
    • Tofa Luani: in just his second game as a starter at linebacker, finished the night with three sacks, an interception, and a game-high 12 tackles. He also scored a short rushing touchdown on offense as part of the Eagles' goal line package.
  • Sawyer Copp broke onto the scene in a big way in the finale against Lebanon, rushing for 107 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
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