SETTING THE SCENE: History will be made on Friday night when the Milford High School football team welcomes Fairfield to Eagle Stadium in the first home playoff game in school history. The fourth-seeded Eagles have won two in a row and six of their last seven to bring an 8-2 record into the playoffs. Fairfield is 7-3 and has lost two in row. This marks the third time Milford has qualified for the playoffs and the second straight year. Kickoff in the Division I, Region 4 game is set for 7 p.m.
Click here to download the Milford Football Playoff Media Guide.
A LOOK BACK: Milford’s defense kept Turpin’s high-powered offense in check and Jake Ayler had a Senior Night to remember with three touchdowns as the Eagles wrapped up the regular season in style with a 33-7 win over Turpin. The Eagle D limited the Spartans to a season-low 121 total yards (over 250 below their season average), while Ayler found the end zone as a rusher, a receiver and a punt returner and finished with 183 all-purpose yards. The win pushes Milford to 8-2 on for the season.
Click here to read more and click here for the final Milford-Turpin game stats.
A LOOK AT THE OPPONENT: A look at Fairfield, Milford’s 2018 OHSAA Playoffs opponent:
THE MATCH-UP: A look at the Milford-Fairfield match-up by the numbers (per game averages with conference team rankings):
INSIDE THE ECC: Kings went unbeaten in ECC play this year to secure the 2018 league championship, the Knights third crown since the formation of the league. Milford finished second at 6-1 in league play, followed by Anderson (4-3), Turpin (4-3), Walnut Hills (3-4), West Clermont (3-4), Loveland (1-6) and Withrow (0-7).
In addition to the Eagles, two other ECC squads will be competing in playoff action as Kings, ranked second in its Division II region, will host No. 7 Anderson.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: A look at Milford’s statistical leaders:
Rushing Yards: Cameron Kells (1,471)
Passing Yards: Hunter Johnson (2,077)
Receiving Yards: Dylan Hughes (669)
Tackles: Hayden Johnson (80)
Sacks: Brian Stevens (5.0)
Interceptions: Owen Martin (3)
Kickoff Return Yards: Dylan Hughes (235)
Punting Average: Brian Stevens (38.0)
Punt Return Yards: Dustin Laudermilk (125)
POLL WATCH: Final Division I coaches’ poll:
Final Division II area coaches’ poll (ECC teams only): 2. Kings 7. (tie) Anderson/Turpin RV: Loveland, Withrow. The final coaches’ poll can be viewed here.
KELLS NAMED BLITZ 5 PRIMETIME PERFORMER: After his record breaking, seven touchdown performance in Milford’s Week 6 win over Anderson, senior RB Cameron Kells was voted Blitz 5’s Primetime Performer of the Week.
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 teams 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.