Preview: #16 Kings at Milford

Two teams that are heading in opposite directions duke it out in our Blitz 5 Game of the Week. Host Milford is looking to get out of its funk. The Eagles are in the midst of their first three-game losing since 2019. Visiting Kings is riding a modest two-game winning streak and looks to continue its momentum into the playoffs, capitalizing on a favorable schedule to end the regular season. It should be another exciting night of ECC football.

#16 KINGS KNIGHTS (5-2, 4-2) at MILFORD EAGLES (3-4, 2-4)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m., October 11,  2024
Eagle Stadium
Follow on X: @TSFootball

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Seniors, linebacker Michael Farnham and defensive end Caden Walker, are playing at an all-state level for Kings. They are tied for the team lead with four sacks. Walker has 10.5 tackles for losses and Farnham has eight. Quarterback Grant Nurre has thrown just five touchdowns in seven games. He threw 23 touchdowns as a sophomore. Receiver Nate Lyman has 135 receptions for 2,635 yards and 29 touchdowns receiving for his career.

Milford quarterback Luke Brand has averaged over 209.1 yards passing with 23 touchdown tosses in 16 career starts. Classmate Caden Bailey is Brand’s top target. The senior leads the team with 32 receptions for 511 yards and has been on the receiving end of eight of Brand’s 10 scoring strikes. Sophomore running back Jordan Davis is a rising star. He has run for 534 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per carry with four touchdowns. Davis also has 15 catches for 144 yards.

TEAM TRENDS: Last week the Knights recorded their first shutout in 34 games. The Knights’ defense has been stellar against the run. They are allowing just 66.6 yards per game, 2.7 yards per carry and have given up just six touchdowns rushing.

During its current three-game skid, Milford has turned the ball over eight times with a minus-seven turnover ratio. The Eagles gave up just 37 points in their 3-1 start. They are allowing 42.7 points over the last three weeks.

HEAD COACHES:
Kings: Alex Garvin (48-16 at Kings, sixth year; 48-16 overall)

Milford: Tom Grippa (54-30 at Milford, eighth year; 228-131 overall, 34th year)

PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Kings (18 appearances, 21-18) – 2023, 2022 (Regional Champion), 2021, 2020, 2108, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1999 

Milford (six appearances, 3-6) – 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 1986

KINGS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Stopping the run and forcing Milford to become one-dimensional with the pass will put major strain and pressure on the offense. Keeping Nurre and Lyman more involved in the passing game is only going to make it easier for the running game to succeed. It has worked wonders with the balance of the Kings’ offense the last two weeks.

MILFORD’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Taking care of the football is priority number one for the Eagles. Possessions have to become more cherished. Moving the football hasn’t been a problem. It’s the untimely errors that have led to Milford’s woes. The defense has to do a better job of creating takeaways.

Prediction: Kings 24, Milford 14

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