Make no mistake about it, a loss is a loss. However, on Friday the Milford football team traveled up to Wilmington to battle Delaware Military Academy. While the Bucs would come up on the short end of a 39-38 score, it was clear from the start that this was not the same Buccaneer team that fans had been watching for most of the season. Milford was crisp on offense and solid on defense. With senior Gregory Lockett and junior Andrew Sivels leading a potent running attack the Buccaneers took a huge step to what coach Rod Milstead is looking for the team to become.
“Obviously we lost tonight. However, it was great to see the team play with passion and intensity the whole game,” Milstead said. “We missed a few assignments that allowed DMA to make some big plays against up, but those are things we can clean up, we are getting to where we want to be as a program.”
The Bucs had a solid first quarter as they drove down the field for the game’s opening score as Lockett would take it in from 12 yards out midway through the first quarter. With the two-point conversion, Milford had an 8-0 lead. DMA would answer with a big play offensive drive of their own, closing the gap to 8-6 in just four plays. Instead of hanging their heads, however, Milford battled back as the game entered the second quarter.
Milford intercepted a DMA pass and returned it deep into DMA territory. From there, Lockett would take it in from 11 yards out. With another successful two-point conversion, the Bucs found themselves up 16-6 with 8:16 remaining in the first half. It was then again, that DMA would demonstrate their quick strike capability, scoring in just over a minute. The two-point conversion failed and Milford maintained a 16-12 advantage.
Milford would fumble the ensuing kickoff, which DMA eagerly gobbled up, setting up shop deep in Milford territory. The Seahawks wasted little time taking advantage of the opportunity, jumping ahead 18-16 midway through the second quarter. Once again however, Milford would respond as they continued to pound the rock with solid offensive line play and Lockett and Sivels moving the chains and running the clock. Sivels would cap the drive with an eight-yard run, followed by a failed two point attempt to send Milford into the locker room leading 24-18. The lead could have been even larger as Lockett almost took the ball 90 yards on the game’s final play. However, he was taken down short of the goal line by a DMA player, who seemed to come from the Milford sideline.
Milford would kick off to start the second half. It would be there that one of the few Milford mistakes would cost them dearly. Poor lane discipline would cost the Bucs as Chris Keller of DMA took advantage of the error returning the ball 75 yards to put DMA on top and change the feel of the game.
“Obviously we aren’t perfect yet, but when you make a mistake like that to start the half, you look to see how your team responds when you are trying build a culture. Although we went back and forth, our guys had a great attitude tonight. A couple of plays either way and we win the game. We are going to continue to clean it up and get better.” Milstead said.
After falling behind, Milford simply could not keep pace with the big plays DMA was able to produce every time they needed it. Milford never gave up and was able to close the gap to one point as they had a scoop and score with 2:14 remaining in the game. While DMA was forced to punt, Milford would only have time to run two plays before the final whistle.
While the result was a loss, Milstead believes better times are ahead for the Milford program.
“When you stop and take a look at all the negative things that happened to us over the previous four games and how we played tonight against a quality team, I am proud of the effort. The first part of winning is not quitting, and we didn’t quit tonight. That type of mentality is what turns losers into winners.” Milstead concluded.
