SETTING THE SCENE: In the midst of its longest losing streak of the last five years, Milford will look to get back in the win column when it hosts Kings in Week 8 of the 2024 campaign. After starting the season 3-1, the Eagles have struggled in their last three outings, including a crushing 22-16 defeat to Lebanon last week. Milford nearly pulled off the improbable against the Warriors before coming up short on the game’s final snap. Kings is one of the more balanced teams in the ECC, ranking second in both total offense and total defense. The Eagles were able to knock off the Knights on the road last year after having dropped the previous three contests between the schools.
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The match-up by the numbers
A look at the Milford-Kings match-up by the numbers (per game averages & conference team rankings):
Milford scoring offense (5th-19.4) vs. Kings scoring defense (3rd-14.9)
Milford total offense (6th-293.6) vs. Kings total defense (2nd-185.9)
Milford rushing offense (7th-96.6) vs. Kings rushing defense (2nd-66.6)
Milford passing offense (3rd-197.0) vs. Kings passing defense (3rd-119.3)
Kings scoring offense (3rd-26.0) vs. Milford scoring defense (6th-23.6)
Kings total offense (2nd-364.4) vs. Milford total defense (6th-294.7)
Kings rushing offense (2nd-183.7) vs. Milford rushing defense (9th-152.7)
Kings passing offense (4th-180.7) vs. Milford passing defense (4th-142.0)
A look at Milford’s statistical leaders:
Rushing Yards: Jordan Davis (534, 4 TDs)
Passing Yards: Luke Brand (1298, 10 TDs)
Receiving Yards: Caden Bailey (511, 8 TDs)
Tackles: Jake Dixon (68)
Sacks: Jake Dixon/Daniel Walker (2.0)
Interceptions: Isaiah Carranza/Tim Dick (1)
Kicking Points: Mason Cooper (22)
Punting Average: Tyler McQueen (34.2)
Kickoff Return Yards: Caden Bailey (129, 1 TD)
Punt Return Yards: Carter Ings (75, 0 TDs)
A look at Kings’ statistical leaders:
Rushing Yards: Carson Lindholm (637, 10 TDs)
Passing Yards: Grant Nurre (1265, 5 TDs)
Receiving Yards: Nate Lyman (563, 3 TDs)
Tackles: Zach Hoying (34)
Sacks: Michael Farnham/Caden Walker (4.0)
Interceptions: Trent Hogan/Jacob Rudowski (2)
Kicking Points: Noah Magrino (32)
Punting Average: Jacob Rudowski (41.6)
Kickoff Return Yards: Nathan Walker (159, 0 TDs)
Punt Return Yards: Trent Hogan (49, 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.
Week 5
• After beginning the year as a starter on defense, senior Carter Ings had team-highs seven receptions for 68 yards, including a long of 24 against West Clermont. Jordan Davis got loose for a career-high 147 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Wolves, while also catching a pass for 30 more yards. But two costly fumbles by the sophomore plagued the otherwise standout performance.
Week 6
• Senior Carter Ings once again showed his game-changing ability in Milford's game against Anderson. On just the second play of the game, he caught a short pass and outraced the defense for a 78-yard touchdown, the first of his career. Carter finished the game with 93 yards on just four catches and added 81 yards on four kickoff returns with a long of 29.
Week 7
• Senior WR Caden Bailey scored both of Milford's touchdowns in the Eagles' heartbreaking loss to Lebanon. He opened the night on the receiving end of a 72-yard touchdown pass and later recorded his first career special teams touchdown on a 96-yard kickoff return. Junior LB Jake Dixon paced the defense with a career-high 15 tackles, marking the third time this season he’s reached double digit stops in a game.
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 can 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 passed Jim Prather who accumulated 53 wins from 1984-96.