News Archive
Football Overwhelms Dixie Heights 49-0 In Home Opener
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 Saturday night 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, Milford outgained Dixie Heights (68-31), the Eagles put up 319 yards of total offense, 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.
The only two stats that really went in Dixie Heights’ favor were total plays and time of possession as they tried to slow down the Eagles with the running game, holding the ball for nearly 37 minutes to just 11 for Milford.
After the Eagles’ opening scoring drive, they forced a DHHS punt, setting the stage for Baugh’s long return. Following another defensive stand, Kells took a short toss from King and raced 60 yards for his first touchdown. The Milford defense again held and this time on Dixie Heights’ punt, Dustin Laudermilk took the kick to the house from 39 yards out.
The second half was more of the same as the Eagles continued dominating with two more Kells’ touchdowns before turning the offense over to the younger Eagles. Kells first caught his second pass from King of the night, eluding defenders and racing 17 yards to paydirt. Towards the end of the third quarter, he rushed in from eight yards out to put Milford up 42-0.
The fourth quarter afforded more Eagles’ youngsters to gain freshman action, including freshman Caleb Johns who scored the game’s final touchdown from four yards out. An interesting side note occurred on the PAT as young Grace Ertel, just a sophomore nailed the PAT, becoming the first female to score for the Eagles in recent memory.
Click here for Milford-Dixie Heights game stats.
The Eagles will look to start 3-0 when they return home for the second of three straight home games, next Friday night against Fairmont. Kickoff will take place at 7 p.m.
