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2016 Snapshot: Milford

Depth, athleticism and experience is a luxury that Shane Elkin hasn’t had in his six years at Milford. Now with some versatility and flexibility the 2016 version of the Eagles will be strong in all three of those aspects of the game for Elkin and his staff. His squad has a rock solid core of returnees to build upon.

“We are having a great off-season in the weight room. We return nine starters including six players who received Second Team All-Eastern Conference honors,” Elkin states.

Milford RB Dawson Slone (photo courtesy Milford HS)

Milford RB Dawson Slone (photo courtesy Milford HS)

In a deep and talented ECC the battle may still be uphill for Milford, but a couple victories could send confidence soaring. If the Eagles can figure out ways to win, this team’s spirits could be flying high by the end of the year.

Division I, Region 2
2015 RECORD: 4-6, 2-5 ECC
COACH: Shane Elkin (18-42, six years @Milford, 18-42 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Andrew Johnson, Sr, LT – Johnson moved from guard as a sophomore to left tackle a year ago. He was tremendous only allowing one sack. The 6-foot-3, 305 pound behemoth garnered Second Team All-ECC acclaim for his work. “Andrew’s combination of size and athleticism make him one of the top offensive linemen in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference,” Elkin stated. “Given time in the weight room Johnson will be an outstanding college football player.”

Eric Richey, Sr, LB – “Eric is one of the hardest working young men I have coached at Milford,” raves Elkin. Richey was in on 80 total tackles (29 solo) with two and a half sacks and a fumble recovery in ’15. That earned him Second Team All-ECC honors.

Dawson Slone, Sr, RB – Slone was a Second Team All-ECC selection as a junior after leading the offense in both rushing and all-purpose yardage. He finished the ‘15 campaign with 788 yards on the ground and 1,039 all-purpose yards. Slone was responsible for just over 103 yards a game and scored seven touchdowns. “Dawson has demonstrated leadership at every level of our program,” Elkin said. “He is an explosive downhill runner that is very difficult to bring down on first contact.”

Hayden Sluder, Sr, LB – Sluder is the glue for the Milford defense and recorded 75 total tackles (36 solo) with two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery as a junior. He was named Second Team All-ECC for his efforts.

Tyler-Smith-MIlford-2015

Tyler Smith, Sr, QB – One of the best kept secrets in the Cincinnati, Smith threw for 1,182 yards, ran for 375 more and accounted for 18 touchdowns (11 passing, seven rushing). He also averaged 42.9 yards on 10 punts on his way to Second Team All-ECC accolades. “Tyler is an outstanding athlete, and has many attributes that a coach wants in a starting quarterback,” Elkin expressed. “He is a leader on-and-off the field. We anticipate him being one of the top quarterbacks in the city his senior year.”

Chase Witte, Sr, DB/RS – The leader of the Eagles secondary. Witte was a Second Team All-ECC selection after registering 41 total tackles (29 solo) with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He also contributed on special teams as a kick returner averaging 26.7 per kickoff return, 14.0 per punt return and had an 83-yrad kickoff return for a touchdown. At times Witte was even the Eagles punter. “Chase is one of our most well-rounded athletes,” Elkin said. “We anticipate using him on offense as well this coming season.”

OTHER RETURNEES
Max Brewer, Sr, WR/TE – A two-year starter at wide receiver who also played some tight end, Brewer had 16 catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns in ’15. “On numerous occasions he was crucial as down field block for another athlete to score a touchdown,” said Elkin. “We are very excited to see what Max can do this year.”

Dillon Coleman, Jr, K – A solid sophomore season saw Coleman connect on 27/28 extra points and 2/3 field goals.

Dax Creager , Jr, TE – At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, Creager has your typical tight end frame in the ECC. Creager helped the Eagles passing game and is not just a blocking tight end, but a strong receiver. “Dax became a threat in our passing game,” Elkin states. “He has above average hands for a tight end.”

Graham Martin, Sr, LB – An extremely explosive athlete that played mostly on special teams as a junior. The coaching staff is exploring options to get Martin on the field more on defense.

Nick Schaefer, Sr, OL – Elkin likes the way Schaefer has developed many of the intangibles that you look for in a quality lineman.

Daniel Wilson, Sr, OL – Elkin calls Wilson “a strong straight line blocker who has very solid technique.”

NEWCOMERS
Bryce Dugan, Jr, OL/DL – Dugan was a backup center and part of the defensive line rotation as sophomore. He recorded two and a half sacks a year ago. He is expected to play defensive line and see time as a tight end.

Blake King, Jr, WR/QB – A natural leader, King has compiled a 16-3 record under center on the freshmen and junior varsity team the past two seasons. Elkin is planning to use King as a receiver and quarterback to take advantage of his skills. There has also been discussion about playing him at safety.

Bailey Knox, Jr, LB – An explosive athlete that saw time as a backup middle linebacker and on special teams. Knox had 27 total tackles (20 solo) and a sack a sophomore.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(one appearance, 0-1) – 1986

2016 SCHEDULE
There is no reason for the Eagles not to get off to a good start with non-conference tilts against Hamilton, at Dixie Heights and hosting Norwood. Those teams were a combined 12-20 a year ago. Three of Milford’s first four ECC conferences are at Turpin, a home date with Loveland and on the road versus Kings. This is the stretch that could make or break the Eagles postseason chances.

AT THE NEXT LEVEL
The recruiting trail will be blazing a path through Milford in the coming years as numerous players have begun taking steps toward preparing for the opportunity. Elkin said there are over a dozen players working towards playing college football. Smith Brewer, Martin, Richey, Sluder, Witte are among upcoming seniors that have reached out to the coach about playing college ball. Johnson, Brewer, Richey and Smith all attended Ohio University’s 2016 Junior Day.

A STRONG FINISH NEEDED
Milford lost four of its five contests last October. Three of those four games were against playoff teams Glen Este, Kings and Turpin. Since the ECC formed four years ago the Eagles are combined 3-16 in games after October 1st.

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