Week 11: Milford

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The #6 seed Bombers (7-3) host the #11 seed Milford Eagles (4-6) this Friday at 7pm in the 1st round of the R4 playoffs.
This is the first meeting between the 2 programs
Milford’s 4 victories were over Edgewood (2-8), Walnut Hills (1-9), Loveland (3-7) and Little Miami (1-9), teams with a combined record of 7-26

 

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Milford head coach is Tom Grippa
The week 4 win over Loveland 19-14 was Grippa’s 54th at Milford which made him the winningest coach at the school

Grippa Coaching Career
1987-1996 Elder record 85-23 (10 years)
1997-2002 Fairfield record 31-31 (6 years)
2003-2012 LaSalle record 59-44 (10 years)
2013-2016 OC at Mt. St. Joe’s
2017-present Milford record 55-32 (8 years)

34 Year High School Head Coaching Career: 230-130

 

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Grippa’s 8 years at Milford (2017-present)

- made playoffs 7 times (Only missed in 2019)

- best season was last year: Won the ECC with 10-0 record, earned #1 seed in R4, disappointing 10-9 loss in round 2 to Mason

- post season record 4-5, making it to the 2nd round twice in the last 8 seasons

 

[Orca]

Milford's run D is a sieve, I don't know much about St. X but as long as they can run the ball at an acceptable level this shouldn't be too much of a game

 

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Steve Specht
Record: 183-76
Period: 2004-2024 (21 years)

vs

Tom Grippa
Record 230-130
Period: 1987-2012, 2017-2024 (34 years)

The 2 head coaches faced off 11 times between 2004 and 2012 while Grippa was at LaSalle
Specht has a 9-2 edge

StX vs LaSalle (2004-2012)
2004 X won 34-20 Week 7 at Lancer Stadium
2004 X won 14-3 1st Round at Ballaban Field
2005 X won 28-0 Week 7 at Ballaban Field
2006 X won 14-7 Week 7 at Lancer Stadium
2007 X won 35-7 Week 7 at Ballaban Field
2008 X lost 10-7 Week 7 at Lancer Stadium
2009 X won 24-7 Week 7 at Ballaban Field
2010 X lost 27-24 Week 7 at Lancer Stadium
2010 X won 30-14 1st Round at Lancer Stadium
2011 X won 45-21 Week 7 at Ballaban Field
2012 X won 31-14 Week 7 at Lancer Stadium

 

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Milford Offense Skill Players

#12 Senior QB Luke Brand (6’1” 200lb) 142 for 218 (65%) for 1,664 yards 12TD/6INT
*not a running QB

#5 Sophomore RB Jordan Davis (5’11” 185lb) 104 carries for 586 yards (5.6 ypc) and 5 TDs; 18 catches for 165 yards (18 ypc)
*Anderson and Kings shut him down (9 carries for 4 yards and 7 carries for 8 yards respectively)

#4 Senior WR Caden Bailey (6’2” 170lb) 41 catches for 619 yards and 6 TDs; returns kickoffs

#1 Senior WR Carter Ings (5’9” 160lb) 36 catches for 377 yards (10 ypc) and 1 TD; returns punts and kickoffs

 

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Milford OLine

Left to right: #72 (6’2”225), #66 (6’3” 250lb), #65 (5’10 190lb), #73 (6’3” 255lb), #75 (6’2” 275)

- #72 and #66 play both ways

- #65, the 190lb center is a sophomore

 

[ReLoad]

Milford's run D is a sieve, I don't know much about St. X but as long as they can run the ball at an acceptable level this shouldn't be too much of a game

Milford Defense

The team began the season 3-1 with the defense only giving up 37 points
In the next 4 games they gave up 49 (West Clermont), 57 (Anderson), 22 (Lebanon), 45 (Kings)
They are coming off a disappointing 27-24 loss to Turpin (3-7)

Milford is 2nd last in the ECC in defense, giving up an average of 300 yards per game (155 rush and 145 pass)
2 Down linemen (225lb and 250lb) play both ways
The leading tacklers are a pair of 205lb linebackers (Dixon #26 and Felix #36) who have combined for 146 tackles
Dixon leads the ECC in tackles

 

[ReLoad]

Bomber path to the R4 Final:
Round 1 Milford at RDI Stadiium
Round 2 at Winton Woods
Round 3 vs Lakota West at neutral site

 

[birdog]

Bomber path to the R4 Final:
Round 1 Milford at RDI Stadiium
Round 2 at Winton Woods
Round 3 vs Lakota West at neutral site

I know it is a tall task, but I sincerely hope the Bombers can find a way to get to Round 4. GBM

 

[4GX]

Milford Defense

The team began the season 3-1 with the defense only giving up 37 points
In the next 4 games they gave up 49 (West Clermont), 57 (Anderson), 22 (Lebanon), 45 (Kings)
They are coming off a disappointing 27-24 loss to Turpin (3-7)

Milford is 2nd last in the ECC in defense, giving up an average of 300 yards per game (155 rush and 145 pass)
2 Down linemen (225lb and 250lb) play both ways
The leading tacklers are a pair of 205lb linebackers (Dixon #26 and Felix #36) who have combined for 146 tackles
Dixon leads the ECC in tackles

In the pre-playoff expansion days (of course), this Milford team never gets in the playoffs... even in this post-expansion playoffs, this Milford team does not really BELONG in the playoffs (even though I believe every team should be in the playoffs)-- this will be a rout... If the best version of X's offense and defense shows up, this will be a running clock by early 3rd quarter, at the latest...

 

[WhoDeyThink]

Milford has had a bad case of the injury bug this season. Sounds like there down 10+ starters going into the playoffs, which is not a winning formula.

 

[ReLoad]

Milford has had a bad case of the injury bug this season. Sounds like there down 10+ starters going into the playoffs, which is not a winning formula.

I count 4.
2 senior offensive linemen (59 and 77) 265 and 270lbers, the right side of the line
A WR (14) 6’1 170lb senior WR in 2023 had 26 catches for 367 yards and 4 TDs
And a DB (15) 5’11” 195lb senior DB played first 3 games, 7 tackles vs WW, in 2023 had 36 tackles

Who are the other 6+?

 

[Smarty2022]

X should win by at least 3 TD's

 

[WhoDeyThink]

I count 4.
2 senior offensive linemen (59 and 77) 265 and 270lbers, the right side of the line
A WR (14) 6’1 170lb senior WR in 2023 had 26 catches for 367 yards and 4 TDs
And a DB (15) 5’11” 195lb senior DB played first 3 games, 7 tackles vs WW, in 2023 had 36 tackles

Who are the other 6+?

Injury bug started prior to season starting and scrimmages from what I was told and has continued. Names? That's above my pay grade.

 

[JBaller]

X should win by at least 3 TD's

It will be a running clock in the early 3rd quarter. 30+ for sure. Milford's QB is genuinely a really good player, but there is almost nothing around him this year and then they're really slow defensively. X will move the ball at will.

 

[ReLoad]

Did not know a whole lot about the Milford football program until they were officially X’s 1st rd opponent.

I knew they were in the ECC, were coached by Grippa and last year went 10-0 and were the #1 seed in R4.

Their website outlines their 2023 season……

Milford’s 2023 season was unlike any in school history. A quick look at the accomplishments:
· Completed the first perfect regular season at Milford since 1957, while setting school records for wins (11) and conference wins (9)
· Captured the school’s first outright league championship since 1986 and first in football since sharing the 2017 ECC crown
· Finished the regular season ranked #4 in Ohio in the AP poll
· Earned the No. 1 seed in the D1, Region 4 playoffs

Football Kicks Off 2024 With Visit From Edgewood

SETTING THE SCENE: Milford, the defending Eastern Cincinnati Conference Champions, will open defe...

milfordexemptedvillagesoh.sites.thrillshare.com

 

[ReLoad]

It will be a running clock in the early 3rd quarter. 30+ for sure. Milford's QB is genuinely a really good player, but there is almost nothing around him this year and then they're really slow defensively. X will move the ball at will.

Looks like he sustained a season ending injury late last season and missed week 8 and beyond.
With him they likely defeat Mason in round 2 (a 10-9 loss) and advance to round 3 to face the Evil Empire.
Last season they had a solid running game with Nate Webster (100+ yards/game) who is playing at Ohio Dominican.
And he had 2 really good senior receivers in Davis and Warther.
This year's skill players aren't on the same level as the 3 mentioned above

Doesn't look like the QB is being actively recruited.

Last year's defense was 11 seniors so they were basically starting from scratch.
The returning player with part time experience (#15) last played in week 3 this year so appears he is injured.

 

[JBaller]

Looks like he sustained a season ending injury late last season and missed week 8 and beyond.
With him they likely defeat Mason in round 2 (a 10-9 loss) and advance to round 3 to face the Evil Empire.
Last season they had a solid running game with Nate Webster (100+ yards/game) who is playing at Ohio Dominican.
And he had 2 really good senior receivers in Davis and Warther.
This year's skill players aren't on the same level as the 3 mentioned above

Doesn't look like the QB is being actively recruited.

Last year's defense was 11 seniors so they were basically starting from scratch.
The returning player with part time experience (#15) last played in week 3 this year so appears he is injured.

D2 schools are on him.

 

[ReLoad]

Injury bug started prior to season starting and scrimmages from what I was told and has continued. Names? That's above my pay grade.

Was trying to figure out if they may be getting back a difference maker, like a Gordy Sulfsted

 

[ReLoad]

Bomber path to the R4 Final:
Round 1 Milford at RDI Stadiium

Eagle with D1 offers: 0

Round 2 at Winton Woods

Warrior with D1 offers: 9
LT Lual Aleu 6 offers, QB Bryshawn Brown 2 offers, RB Isiah Garrett 4 offers, WR Jack Oliver Illinois State commit, WR/CB Seaonta Stewart Indiana commit, WR/S Donmiel Rogers 5 offers, NG Delan Massey-Wright 1 offer, DE Jaylen Mercer 12 offers, LB Justin Hill Alabama commit

Round 3 vs Lakota West at neutral site

Thunderbirds with D1 offers: 7
RB Braydon Johnson 5 offers, QB Jackson Smith 3 offers, TE Luka Gilbert Miami commit, LB Grant Beerman Purdue commit
LB Cam Thomas 25 offers, DL Vincent Giordano Bowling Green commit, TE Xavier Ratica 1 offer

 

[4GX]

Eagle with D1 offers: 0

Warrior with D1 offers: 9
LT Lual Aleu 6 offers, QB Bryshawn Brown 2 offers, RB Isiah Garrett 4 offers, WR Jack Oliver Illinois State commit, WR/CB Seaonta Stewart Indiana commit, WR/S Donmiel Rogers 5 offers, NG Delan Massey-Wright 1 offer, DE Jaylen Mercer 12 offers, LB Justin Hill Alabama commit

Thunderbirds with D1 offers: 7
RB Braydon Johnson 5 offers, QB Jackson Smith 3 offers, TE Luka Gilbert Miami commit, LB Grant Beerman Purdue commit
LB Cam Thomas 25 offers, DL Vincent Giordano Bowling Green commit, TE Xavier Ratica 1 offer

WW and LW are kinda stacked... X doesn't have that kind of talent (not that X can't beat a team with superior athletic talent-- that has happened innumerable times, over the Specht era)...

I also think when you talk about "offers" you should not include anything anything below D1-- D3 is not really a scholarship offer-- it is one step above intramural competition... D2 is dubious too, but OK-- they ARE agreeing to pay for school (at least partially) with an ATHLETIC scholarship...

The above numbers you cite are all D1, so not quibbling there-- but in the past, you have sometimes listed X kids that are "committed" to a D3 school, as if that were in any way comparable to getting an actual athletic scholarship-- it is not... D3 and D1 are apples and oranges...

 

[jtk]

not sure why you care or found the need to post that?

jtk
()

 

[ReLoad]

Milford head coach is Tom Grippa
The week 4 win over Loveland 19-14 was Grippa’s 54th at Milford which made him the winningest coach at the school

Grippa Coaching Career
1987-1996 Elder record 85-23 (10 years)
1997-2002 Fairfield record 31-31 (6 years)
2003-2012 LaSalle record 59-44 (10 years)
2013-2016 OC at Mt. St. Joe’s
2017-present Milford record 55-32 (8 years)

34 Year High School Head Coaching Career: 230-130

Grippa's career post season record is 8-14 (0.364), Elder 3-5, Fairfield 1-1, LaSalle 0-2, Milford 4-6
His 1996 Elder team advanced to the 3rd round beating Anderson and Moeller before losing to Lima Senior

 

[ReLoad]

I knew they were in the ECC, were coached by Grippa and last year went 10-0 and were the #1 seed in R4.

The ECC has 10 teams, 6 are in D1 and 4 in D2

Since the ECC was formed in 2012 no D1 team has advanced past the 2nd round.

The ECC D2 teams have had better post season success

2013: Loveland won the D2 state title beating Glenville 41-23

2020: WW made D2 semifinals losing to state runner up LaSalle 35-10

2021: WW won the D2 state title beating Hoban 21-10

2022: Kings made D2 state semifinals losing to state champ Central Catholic 52-49

2023: Anderson made D2 state semifinals losing to state champ Massillon 55-7

 

[ReLoad]

WW and LW are kinda stacked... X doesn't have that kind of talent (not that X can't beat a team with superior athletic talent-- that has happened innumerable times, over the Specht era)...

Larry Cox was criticized for 2 decades for having loads of D1 talent at LW and little post season success (2-5)
In 21 years (1997-2017) LW only made the playoffs 5 times, losing in the 1st round the first 4 times (2004, 2006, 2009 and 2013)
In 2014 with a 5-5 record, LW grabbed the 16th and final spot and beat the #1 seed (10-0 Centerville) for his first post season victory
They beat Lakota East in round 2 and then lost to Wayne 38-3

 

[ReLoad]

Milford - StX connection
Jimmy Grippa, son of Tom and defensive coordinator for Milford, got his first coaching job at StX
He played WR for his dad at LaSalle in 2008 and 2009
He was on the StX defensive staff for a few years including the 2016 state championship season before going to Milford in 2018

 

[kdogg]

I saw on the St. X website site that the playoff game tonight against Milford is tape delayed. ?
Anyone know what time it will come on. Website says 7:00 PM,......but I believe that is the original game time set by the OHSAA.


P.S. Go Bombers !!!

 

[WhoDeyThink]

WW and LW are kinda stacked... X doesn't have that kind of talent (not that X can't beat a team with superior athletic talent-- that has happened innumerable times, over the Specht era)...

I also think when you talk about "offers" you should not include anything anything below D1-- D3 is not really a scholarship offer-- it is one step above intramural competition... D2 is dubious too, but OK-- they ARE agreeing to pay for school (at least partially) with an ATHLETIC scholarship...

The above numbers you cite are all D1, so not quibbling there-- but in the past, you have sometimes listed X kids that are "committed" to a D3 school, as if that were in any way comparable to getting an actual athletic scholarship-- it is not... D3 and D1 are apples and oranges...

Ivy and Pioneer are conferences that don't offer athletic scholarships too, so those don't apply based off your logic. D2 and FCS schools are definitely solid options these days with the NIL/transfer mess that has been created at the D1 level. D3 has more academic focus, but athletic ability still afforded that opportunity.

 

[4GX]

Ivy and Pioneer are conferences that don't offer athletic scholarships too, so those don't apply based off your logic. D2 and FCS schools are definitely solid options these days with the NIL/transfer mess that has been created at the D1 level. D3 has more academic focus, but athletic ability still afforded that opportunity.

Ivy League is truly in a league of its own, because of unrivaled quality of the educational experience... and those schools (mostly) have enough endowment that any athlete they recruit can be offered a virtually full ride on financial aid-- which is exactly what Harvard, Yale, Princeton (and maybe Columbia) do-- the others aren't always able to, due to bigger enrollments and (relatively) smaller endowments-- but the athletes choosing Ivy League generally have offers for full athletic scholarships to other D1 schools-- so that's NOTHING like D3... Pioneer League is really borderline to be considered D1, in my opinion... Almost anybody, with the right connections, can play for somebody's D3 football team-- saying you've "committed" to play football at Mount Saint Joseph means virtually nothing.