It’s another homecoming night as the Blitz 5 Game of the Week road show heads north to Kings for an ECC showdown. The Knights are playing to earn a first round bye in the playoff. Visiting Milford is playing for pride and looking to avoid a six-game skid. The Eagles would like nothing better than to pull the upset and spoil some of the weekend fun.
MILFORD EAGLES (1-6, 1-5) at #7 KINGS KNIGHTS (6-1, 5-1)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Kings Stadium
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PLAYERS TO WATCH: Juniors Joey Dahmer and Jayden Bodley have been bright spots for the Milford offense. Dahmer leads the team with 719 all-purpose yards, 30 receptions, 397 receiving yards and eight touchdowns (seven rec, one KR). Bodley has thrown for 1,015 yards and accounted for 12 touchdowns (nine pass, three rush). Senior Jake Dixon is five tackles away from reaching 100 for a second straight season.
Junior linebacker Jack Pearson and sophomore defensive lineman Connor Johnson are having breakout seasons for Kings. Quarterback Grant Nurre, a three-year starter, has thrown for more than 5, 700 yards with 43 passing touchdowns and 11 rushing scores in his career.
TEAM TRENDS: Milford is averaging 16.7 points per contest. The offense had trouble establishing the run averaging just 46.3 yards per game rushing and 2.8 yards per carry. The Eagles have converted just 25.8% of their third down attempts. On defense, Milford is giving up 426.6 yards per game.
Kings is 3-0 in games decided by seven points or less. The offense is averaging 341.5 yards per game. The Knights have won at least nine games three times in the last four years.
HEAD COACHES:
Milford: Tom Grippa (56-39 at Milford, ninth year; 230-140 overall, 35th year)
Kings: Alex Garvin (58-18 at Kings, seventh year; 58-18 overall)
PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Milford (eight appearances, 4-8) – 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 1986
Kings (19 appearances, 22-19) – 2024, 2023, 2022 (Regional Champion), 2021, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1999
MILFORD’S KEYS TO VICTORY: The line of scrimmage has been a weak spot for the Eagles. Milford will have to dig down deep and establish themselves on both sides of the line. They have to want it more in short yardage situations and extend drives.
KINGS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: Getting off to a fast start and having a put this affair out of reach early mentality would be ideal. The Knights have let lesser teams stick around way too long in games. Spreading the wealth and having a balanced attack on offense should give the Milford defense all it can handle.
Prediction: Kings 38, Milford 10
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