SETTING THE SCENE: After three straight games on the road, the Milford High School football team finally gets the opportunity to compete in the friendly confines of Eagle Stadium this week when Walnut Hills comes to town. The annual battle of the Eastern Cincinnati Conference’s two Eagle teams, features a pair of 1-2 squads. Milford put up a gritty performance in Week 3, coming up just nine yards short of forcing overtime in falling by a 28-21 score at Fairmont. Friday night is also scheduled to be Junior High Football/Cheer/Band Night at Eagle Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

A LOOK BACK: Playing from behind for most of the night, the Eagles nearly pulled out some overtime-forcing magic before coming up just short in heartbreaking fashion, 28-21 at Fairmont on Friday evening. Trailing by seven in the waning moments, the Eagles got as close as the Fairmont nine-yard line but couldn’t convert on the game’s final play.

For much of the night, it appeared that the Firebirds’ ability to flip field position on long interception and kickoff returns was going to prove to be the difference. Milford easily held the advantage in total yards (307-222), but Fairmont’s clock controlling, ground game chewed up large chunks of time on nearly every Firebird offensive possession.

Cameron Kells finished with his second straight three-touchdown, 100-yard rushing game, accounting for each of the Eagles scores. The swift and strong senior totaled 106 yards on the ground, while also grabbing a team-high six receptions for 33 yards. QB Hunter Johnson completed 20 of 34 passes for 185 yards with a pair of interceptions.

Click here to read the full recap and here for the final Milford-Fairmont game stats.

A LOOK AT THE OPPONENT: A look at Walnut Hills, Milford’s 2018 Week 4 opponent:

• Friday, Sept. 14 vs. Walnut Hills, 7:00 p.m.
• 2018 Record: 1-2, 0-0 ECC (NR Division I area coaches’ weekly poll)
• Top Offensive Player: Junior QB Garry Williams (188 yards passing, 42 yards rushing, 4 TDs)
• Top Defensive Player: Senior DL Jowon Briggs (committed to University of Virginia)
• Last Meeting: 2017; Milford 37, Walnut Hills 0

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

• Milford scoring offense (2^nd-29.0) vs. Walnut Hills scoring defense (6^th-27.7)
• Milford total offense (3^rd-343.0) vs. Walnut Hills total defense (2^nd-205.3)
• Milford rushing offense (5^th-121.3) vs. Walnut Hills rushing defense (2^nd-142.0)
• Milford passing offense (2^nd-221.7) vs. Walnut Hills passing defense (1^st-63.3)
• Walnut Hills scoring offense (4^th-18.0) vs. Milford scoring defense (4^th-20.7)
• Walnut Hills total offense (8^th-143.0) vs. Milford total defense (5^th-337.0)
• Walnut Hills rushing offense (8^th-66.3) vs. Milford rushing defense (7^th-269.7)
• Walnut Hills passing offense (6^th-76.7) vs. Milford passing defense (3^rd-67.3)

INSIDE THE ECC: Following a week that saw only Anderson win in the conclusion to non-conference play, the Redskins are the only 3-0 team remaining. Week 4 marks the kickoff to ECC play for this season.

The Week 4 ECC schedule includes: Walnut Hills at Milford, Anderson at Kings, Withrow at Loveland and Turpin at West Clermont.

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

Rushing Yards: Cameron Kells (330)

Passing Yards: Hunter Johnson (659)

Receiving Yards: Dylan Hughes (234)

Tackles: Jacob Turner (26)

Sacks: CT Phillips (1.0)

Interceptions: Jacob Cook/Owen Martin (1)

Kickoff Return Yards: Dylan Hughes (153)

Punting Average: Brian Stevens (39.6)

Punt Return Yards: Dustin Laudermilk (41)

POLL WATCH: The Eagles continue to receive votes in the Sept. 10 edition of the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Division I area coaches’ poll. Colerain once again earned all of the first place votes (seven this week) to take first place. St. Xavier, Elder, Sycamore and Fairfield complete the top-five behind the Cardinals. West Clermont joins the Eagles in others receiving votes. In the Division II rankings, Anderson received three first place votes, but is only ranked fifth in the rundown. Kings is tied for third, with Turpin sixth, Loveland tied for ninth and Withrow in the others receiving votes section. The coaches’ poll is released every Monday at Noon at preps.cincinnati.com/coachespolls.

TRISTATE FOOTBALL HONORS EAGLE PAIR: Prior to each season, area website Tristatefootball.com recognizes the best of the best with inclusion on the site’s three all-area websites. The team’s are decided based on a combination of fan vote and staff input and the 2018 squads feature a pair of Eagles. On the offensive side of the ball, senior TE Connor Foster was selected to the second team, while senior WR Jake Ayler earned a slot on the third team.