Milford Athletics

Milford overcame a slow offensive first half with three second half touchdowns to hold on to the Miami Township Victory Bell for the ninth straight time as the Eagles defeated rival Loveland 19-12. The contest, part of the annual Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown, was historic as Eagles head coach Tom Grippa became Milford’s all-time winningest coach with his 54^th victory at the school.

One week after amassing just 148 total yards in a defeat to Winton Woods, it appeared the offense would endure another sluggish night as they put up just 69 first half yards. If not for a 49-yard Loveland field goal with just 10 seconds remaining before the half, the defensive struggle would have been scoreless at the break.

But in the second half, QB Luke Brand and company came to life as the senior signal caller threw one touchdown and rushed for another. Jordan Davis put the game on ice with a 28-yard TD run just before the midpoint of the fourth quarter. A choppy last couple of minutes of game action saw Loveland trim the final deficit to only seven with a safety and a touchdown on the game’s final snap.

The Milford defense was fierce despite enduring 80 offensive snaps by the Tigers, allowing just 241 yards for an average of 3.0 yards per play. Daniel Walker tallied two of Milford’s five total sacks on the night.

Milford had the first real scoring opportunity in the first quarter when Tim Dick returned a punt 58 yards into Loveland territory to set-up the Eagle offense. But after getting to the Tiger 12, three straight incomplete passes stalled the drive out. Brady Stidham’s field goal just before the half would prove to be the only points of the first half.

Loveland held the ball first in the third quarter but faced with a fourth and 23 at the Milford 36, a questionable fake punt was sniffed out by Walker and Sione Lolo. Ten plays and 68 yards later, Brand went to his favorite target, senior Caden Bailey for a three-yard TD pass and a 6-3 Milford lead. As the game reached the fourth quarter, a 10-play, 78-yard drive allowed Milford to go up 13-3 after Brand rushed in from seven yards out.

Milford put the game on ice with 6:46 remaining when Davis broke loose for his touchdown of the 2024 campaign.

Brand finished his night 18 of 29 passing for 177 yards, with the TD to Bailey and his own rushing score. Davis finished with 76 rushing yards and a score, while Bailey was the top receiver with 58 yards on six receptions.

The defense was led by 10 tackles and a sack from Jake Dixon, nine tackles each by Isaiah Carranza and Daniel Walker and eight by Nick Freeland.

It will be rivalry week number two next week when the Eagles head back on the road for a visit to West Clermont.