SETTING THE SCENE: Coming off an epic and historic comeback win last Friday night against Fairfield, the Milford High School football team will now play in its first-ever OHSAA Regional Semifinal when they face Colerain. With a school record nine wins to their credit, the Eagles will look to upset the Cardinals who concluded the regular season ranked No. 1 in Ohio.
Click here to view and download the Milford Football Regional Semifinals Media Guide.
Click here to view a Playoff Fan Guide.
Click here to view a parking map for the St. Xavier High School campus.
A LOOK BACK: A historic win came in epic fashion on Friday night as Milford stormed back from a 35-7 deficit a minute into the third quarter to knock off a stunned Fairfield squad 39-35. The victory is Milford’s first-ever in the OHSAA Playoffs and advances the Eagles to take on Colerain, Ohio’s No. 1 team next Friday night.
A resilient Eagle team rallied for 32 straight points after a nightmarish start to the second half that saw Fairfield score twice in 20 seconds. Cameron Kells’ one-yard run with 1:28 remaining put a capper on the comeback that sent a full house at Eagle Stadium into a frenzy.
Click here to read more, click here for the final Milford-Fairfield game stats and here for a photo gallery from the game courtesy of Tammy Ruehrwein.
A LOOK AT THE OPPONENT: A look at Colerain, Milford’s 2018 OHSAA Playoffs opponent:
THE MATCH-UP: A look at the Milford-Colerain 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 a battle of ECC heavyweights, seventh-seeded Anderson upset No. 2 Kings last week to advance in the playoffs. The Redskins will next battle No. 3 Troy at Miamisburg High School.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: A look at Milford’s statistical leaders:
Rushing Yards: Cameron Kells (1,578)
Passing Yards: Hunter Johnson (2,458)
Receiving Yards: Dylan Hughes (832)
Tackles: Hayden Johnson (88)
Sacks: Brian Stevens (5.0)
Interceptions: Owen Martin (3)
Kickoff Return Yards: Dylan Hughes (235)
Punting Average: Brian Stevens (37.9)
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.