Milford 4-0 for first time in 45 years after holding off Anderson in shootout

For the first time since Jimmy Carter was the President of the United States, the Milford High School football team is out to a 4-0 start. A pivotal game in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference turned out to be the score-fest most expected with the Eagles defeating Anderson 48-47.

“We found a way to squeeze out a win,” Milford coach Tom Grippa said.

The game was clinched when Griffin Scalf’s two-point conversion pass with 26 seconds left in the game eluded his receiver. The Raptors had scored and could have kicked for overtime, but coach Evan Dreyer opted for the win. The ensuing onside kick was recovered by Milford earning the Eagles the happy bus ride home.

Milford quarterback Austin Hardin drops back to pass in the football game with Anderson Friday, Sept. 9, 2022.

“I would have went for the overtime,” Grippa said of Dreyer’s call. “I don’t know if he has any confidence in his kicker. I was good with it. He does a lot of things like that. That’s how Anderson plays. That’s how they roll.”

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The contest featured the ECC’s top two passing leaders in Anderson senior Scalf and Milford senior Austin Hardin. Both had their moments, but Hardin was the most effective going 28-for-39 for 372 yards and five touchdowns. Luke Ray had 10 catches for 169 yards and a back-breaking 81-yard score immediately after a previous touchdown was called back.

Milford had previously eeked out a win against Lebanon in the final minute and can now add this barnburner to its resume. Coach Grippa, who recently had a heart procedure proudly and wasn’t on the sidelines for Milford’s first two games, proclaimed he had passed another stress test.

Anderson quarterback Griffin Scalf throws the ball in the football game with Milford Friday, Sept. 9, 2022.

“We just keep grinding and grinding and finding a way to win,” Hardin said. “That’s what we were expecting this week with Anderson. They have a great offense. We just had to keep scoring and scoring.”

On the ground, Natwan Webster led all rushers with 133 yards and two touchdowns. He was effective at grinding the clock to offset Anderson’s quick-hit offense. He is the son of former NFL player Nate Webster.

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“My dad always talks about when it’s fourth quarter, it’s fourth quarter. No one should be able to stop you,” Webster said. “We brought it here today.”

Milford defenders tackle Anderson running back Brodey Berg (2) in the football game Friday, Sept. 9, 2022.

Both teams entered the night averaging over 40 points per game and easily surpassed the mark surprising no one. Grippa figured it would be the first team to 50.

Scalf finished 32-for-63 passing for 399 yards and five touchdowns. Senior Santos Alvarez was clearly his favorite target with 13 grabs for 157 yards and three scores. Running back Brodey Berg added two scores for 58 yards, including the last touchdown with 26 ticks on the clock. Unfortunately, as quickly as momentum shifted, it shifted back on the missed two-point conversion.

Anderson had won its last three games prior to Friday, so the Eagles were happy to take them down on their own field. Milford’s last victory in the series came in 2018.

Milford running back Luke Ray (4) is tackled by Anderson defenders in the football game Friday, Sept. 9, 2022.

“We knew this was a big game,” top receiver Ray said. “We came out and played our hearts out and got the win. We worked all week on it. We knew what they were going to do and we showed up. I’m proud of our team and we’re going to have fun tonight!”

The first half was as expected with both teams trading scores. Both missed extra points causing the festivities to be tied at 27 at the break. Milford’s Hardin and Anderson’s Scalf each had a trio of first-half touchdown tosses and Scalf added Homecoming King honors before making it into the Raptors locker room.

Anderson players Miles Havens (13) and Mike Smith (7) celebrate after a touchdown in the football game with Milford Friday, Sept. 9, 2022.

The see-saw battle saw Milford put up 510 yards of total offense to Anderson’s 459. Hardin was sacked five times to Scalf’s three. Milford punted four times including late in the game from the Anderson 2-yard line. There were two interceptions in, both by Milford’s Jacob Smith.

As is custom, Anderson did not punt.

The Raptors drop to 2-2 and visit Walnut Hills next week. Milford joins frontrunners, Winton Woods and Kings, at 4-0 and will host Kings next Friday.

Milford wide receiver Cam Livingston (81) catches a touchdown over Anderson defensive back Leo Muehlenkanp in the football game Friday, Sept. 9, 2022.

“These guys want to be city champs,” Grippa said. “They haven’t seen (Lakota) West and (St.) X. I’m not going to tell them they can’t. They have a lot of heart. Austin Hardin’s playing great. He played as good as their quarterback.”

Milford is OHSAA Division I in terms of postseason advancement, while Anderson is Division II.

ANDERSON 14 13 0 20 47

MILFORD 13 14 7 14 48

M – Hardin 20-yard pass to Livingston (kick failed)

A- Scalf 10-yard pass to Havens (Goethe kick)

M – Hardin 11-yard pass to Davis (Cooper kick)

A – Scalf 18-yard pass to Piening (Goethe kick)

M – Harden 33-yard pass to Wisbey (Cooper kick)

A – Scalf 17-yard pass to Alvarez (Goethe kick)

M – Webster 2-yard run (Cooper kick)

A – Berg 5-yard run (kick blocked)

M – Webster 11-yard run (Cooper kick)

A – Scalf 20-yard pass to Alvarez (Goethe kick)

M – Hardin 81-yard pass to Ray (Cooper kick)

A – Scalf 23-yard pass to Alvarez (Goethe kick)

M – Hardin 14-yard pass to Wisbey (Cooper kick)

A – Berg 3-yard run (two-point pass failed)

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Milford stays unbeaten taking down Anderson in a high-scoring affair