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Preview: Milford at Anderson

Anderson WR Santos Alvarez (1) (photo by Autumn Duncan/TriStateFootball.com)

Keeping pace in the ultra-competitive top half of the Eastern Cincinnati Conference is the goal this week when Anderson hosts Milford in a game with early conference championship implications. Both defenses have daunting tasks in front of them as two high powered offenses will look to continue their scoring prowess and carry on with an undefeated conference record through three games in this week four engagement.

#16 Milford (3-1, 2-0 ECC) at #17 Anderson (2-1, 2-0 ECC)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m., September 9th
Brown Stadium
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PLAYERS TO WATCH: Austin Hardin has completed almost 70 percent of his passes while throwing for 884 yards and 12 touchdowns through three games. He has connected with wideout Reece Davis ten times for 214 yards as his favorite target. Defensively the Eagles are led by Toto Luani who ranks third in the conference in tackles with 26.

Anderson quarterback Griffin Scalf leads the conference with a staggering 1,179 passing yards in three games and already has 94 completions. Three of his targets, Santos Alvarez (333 yards- 1st), Trace Jallick (297 yards- 3rd), and Mike Smith (215 yards- 4th) are all in the top five in receiving in the conference. Brodey Berg leads the rushing attack with 239 yards on 53 carries. Joey Emrick has 25 tackles on the season to pace the defense.

TEAM TRENDS: Milford has no problem scoring touchdowns as they have scored 42 or more points in every game this season. Besides week two, their defense has been admirable by only giving up a combined 27 points in weeks one and three.

The Raptors are a scoring machine, averaging a shade over 40 points per game in three games this season. In 71 games with Dreyer as head coach, the Raptors have scored 40 or more points a whopping 38 times. They’ll look to once again make the scoreboard dance.

HEAD COACHES:
Milford: Tom Grippa (34-22 at Milford, five years; 209-123 overall, 31 years)
Anderson: Evan Dreyer (51-20 at Anderson, six years; 93-47 overall, 13 years)

PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Milford (five appearances, 2-5) – 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 1986

Anderson (15 appearances, 18-14) – 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2009, 2008 (State Runner-up), 2007 (State Champion), 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1996, 1994, 1992

MILFORD KEYS TO VICTORY: Keep scoring. The Eagles need to keep pace with an Anderson offense that has scored a plethora of points this season. It will be important to match the scoring efforts and keep the game close. Keeping possession of the ball and dominating time of possession will also be key.

ANDERSON KEYS TO VICTORY: The Raptors can score with anyone but the key on Friday will be how much they can stop their opponent. If the offense continues to fire on all cylinders as expected, the pressure will be on defensively to get key stops to get off the field.

Prediction: Anderson 45, Milford 35

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