SETTING THE SCENE: Another week, another inter-county rivalry game for Milford as this time the Eagles take to the road to battle West Clermont. On the heels of a too close for comfort win last week over Loveland, Milford is 3-1 overall and 2-1 inside the rugged ECC. WC is 2-2 overall with a 1-2 ECC mark after last Friday’s 28-10 loss to Kings. Milford has won three straight in the series with the Wolves and will look to its defense to help make it four in a row. Yielding just 9.3 points per game, Milford will be out to slow the ECC’s second-ranked rushing offense. On the other side of the ball, QB Luke Brand leads the league’s fourth-ranked offensive squad.
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The match-up by the numbers
A look at the Milford-West Clermont match-up by the numbers (per game averages & conference team rankings):
Milford scoring offense (3rd-23.3) vs. West Clermont scoring defense (9th-28.0)
Milford total offense (4th-305.0) vs. West Clermont total defense (9th-370.0)
Milford rushing offense (6th-114.8) vs. West Clermont rushing defense (7th-157.8)
Milford passing offense (3rd-190.3) vs. West Clermont passing defense (9th-212.3)
West Clermont scoring offense (7th-15.3) vs. Milford scoring defense (3rd-9.3)
West Clermont total offense (7th-230.5) vs. Milford total defense (5th-224.0)
West Clermont rushing offense (2nd-195.5) vs. Milford rushing defense (3rd-76.5)
West Clermont passing offense (10th-35.0) vs. Milford passing defense (7th-147.5)
A look at Milford’s statistical leaders:
Rushing Yards: Jordan Davis (338, 3 TDs)
Passing Yards: Luke Brand (706, 7 TDs)
Receiving Yards: Caden Bailey (334, 6 TDs)
Tackles: Jake Dixon (31)
Sacks: Jake Dixon/Daniel Walker (2.0)
Interceptions: Tim Dick (1)
Kicking Points: Mason Cooper (15)
Punting Average: Tyler McQueen (36.6)
Kickoff Return Yards: Tim Dick (48, 0 TDs)
Punt Return Yards: Tim Dick (64, 0 TDs)
A look at West Clermont’s statistical leaders:
Rushing Yards: Landon Young (443, 1 TD)
Passing Yards: Bo Rickman (140, 1 TD)
Receiving Yards: Landen Edwards (64, 0 TDs)
Tackles: Justin Hinkston (35)
Sacks: Three tied (1.0)
Interceptions: Alexander Hauck (2)
Kicking Points: Isaac Cooper (19)
Punting Average: Alexander Hauck (36.5)
Kickoff Return Yards: Alexander Hauck (189, 0 TDs)
Punt Return Yards: Alexander Hauck (19, 0 TDs)
Notable 2024 Performances
Week 1
• New returnees on offense and a defensive newcomer all played important roles in Milford's season-opening win over Edgewood. Senior QB Luke Brand picked up where he left off last fall, completing 17-of-22 passes for 264 yards and four touchdowns, while adding a fifth score rushing. His favorite target was classmate Caden Bailey who finished with 10 catches for 155 yards and three touchdowns. On defense, junior Jake Dixon made his first start at LB a good one, as he finished with nine tackles and his first career sack.
Week 2
• Sophomore Jordan Davis, along with seniors Tim Dick and Mason Cooper, played starring roles in the Eagles' week two shutout victory over Walnut Hills. In just his second varsity game, Jordan had his breakout offensive performance, finishing with 175 yards from scrimmage (139 rushing and 36 receiving), while scoring two touchdowns. Tim helped the defense to a shutout by forcing a pair of turnovers, first a fumble, then later snagging his first interception of the year. He also added a tackle for loss. Mason showed why he's one of the area's top kickers by connecting on all five extra points and booting his first field goal of the year, a 27-yarder. In kicking off seven times, Cooper recorded six touchbacks with the other being fielded at the one-yard line.
Week 3
• Senior LB Christian Felix recorded his second double-figure tackles game of the season during week three against Winton Woods. Against the Warriors, Christian had a career-high 11 tackles, including one for loss.
Week 4
• Four Eagles turned in standout performances in Milford's victory in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown. Senior DB Landon Gorton was the game's MVP in the best game of his career. While roaming the secondary and keeping Loveland in check, he finished with four tackles and a pass break-up. Up front, classmate Daniel Walker had one solo sack and two half sacks, among his nine total tackles. Junior Sione Lolo played the entire game on the offensive line, along with several plays on defense as well. He finished with four tackles and one half sack. Junior punter Tyler McQueen was outstanding on special teams, averaging 47 yards per kick on his three punts with a long of 50.
A Historic Win
Now in his eighth year at Milford, head coach Tom Grippa has led the Eagle program to new heights with two conference champions, seven playoff appearances (including the program’s first-ever playoff victory) and who came forget last season’s memorable undefeated regular season. Now, Grippa has another distinction as Milford’s win over Loveland on September 13 produced his 54th victory on the Eagle sideline, making him the winningest coach in program history. He passes Jim Prather who accumulated 53 wins from 1984-96.
Preseason Notebook
Honors galore
Cincinnati.com increased its preseason coverage of local high school football, identifying top players in the Tri-State by position. Milford was well-represented on the lists by the following key players:
• Senior Caden Bailey: on the radar WR
• Senior Luke Brand: #16 overall player and top QBs list
• Senior Mason Cooper: top special teams players list and receiving votes for the preseason All-Ohio team presented by USA Today
• Senior Tim Dick: on the radar DBs list
• Senior Carter Ings: on the radar DBs list
• Junior Sione Lolo: on the radar DL list and #24 player in the junior class locally
• Senior Ethan Melgard: on the radar WR list
• Senior Daniel Walker: top DL list