2023 Video Snapshot: Milford
- Updated: July 12, 2023
In 2017 Tom Grippa was named the new head coach at Milford, the program had made the playoffs just one time and that was 31 years earlier, in 1986. The Eagles are now looking to make the postseason for a school record fourth consecutive year and sixth time in Grippa’s seventh season at the helm.
This senior class was in seventh grade when the program started this under Grippa. Winning has been embeded in them more than any other class that has put on the pads at the school. How they respond to last season’s 9-3 showing will be one of the better storylines of this 2023 seasons.
Division I, Region 4
2022 RECORD: 9-3, 7-2 ECC
COACH: Tom Grippa (40-25 at Milford, six years; 216-126 overall, 32 years)
HONOR ROLL
Reece Davis, Sr, WR – Caught 42 balls of which 14 went for touchdowns, with 752 yards receiving, 1,009 all-purpose yards and a kickoff return for a score as a junior. He was named OPSWA Division I Second Team All-Southwest District for his work. Davis has 93 receptions, 1,291 yards receiving, 1,562 all-purpose yards, 19 receiving touchdowns and one kickoff return for a score in his career.
Toto Luani, Sr, DB – A big hitter and finisher, “Little Lu” was named Second Team All-ECC as a junior. He has 101 total tackles, double-digit tackles for losses with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in his two years as a starter. He has an offer from Thomas Moore.
OTHER RETURNEES
Andrew Littrell, Sr, LB – Led the Eagles in total tackles with 96 in 2022. He also had two sacks, 11.0 tackles for losses, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one interception.
Ashton Warther, Sr, RB/WR – An excellent dual-threat option out of the backfield for the Eagles. The speedy Warther ran for 349 yards, had 34 receptions, 256 yards receiving and four touchdowns (three rec, one rush) as a junior.
Landen Wisbey, Sr, WR – Found a way to get open and into end zone with five touchdown catches in his first six games before injuries shut him down in 2022. Wisbey finished with 19 receptions for 324 yards and six touchdowns in seven games.
Rob Mickler, Sr, DB – The leader of the secondary. Mickler was in on 69 total tackles, defended four balls an had two interceptions as a junior.
Cole Miller, Sr, LB – One of seven returning starters. Miller tallied 42 total tackles in 2022.
Tofa Luani, Sr, RB/LB – One of the best players in Southwest Ohio without a FBS scholarship offer. The 6-foot-2, 245-pound “Big Lu” tore his ACL in the first game last season. Now healthy, Luani, a Third Team All-TSF (ATH) selection as a sophomore, heads into his final year with 754 yards and 22 touchdowns rushing, one touchdown catch, 80 total tackles, eight-and-a-half sacks and one interception. He has an offer from Tiffin.
Ryan Crompton, Sr, DB – Another rock-solid member of a strong secondary. Crompton recorded 29 total tackles, two-and-a-half sacks, five passes defended and two interceptions a year ago.
Will Reid, Sr, DB – An intriguing piece to the defensive backfield. Reid found himself in the middle of the action quite often in seven games as a junior with 29 total tackles, one-and-a-half tackles for losses, three passes defended and an interception.
Magnus Boben, Sr, OL/DL – A full season out of Boben, should see him put up very meaningful numbers. He had 18 total tackles in seven games as a junior.
Malik Boben, Sr, C – The immovable force and the soul of the o-line. A returning starter, the 6-foot-3, 320-pound, Boben has turned himself into college prospect.
Mason Cooper, Jr, K – A very successful offseason has Cooper’s confidence soaring after setting the school record for kicking points in a season with 51 in 2022.
Jacob Luecke, Sr, P – Back for his third season as the Eagles punter. Luecke has averaged 35.7 yards on 68 punts, with a long punt of 60-yards, 12 punts placed inside the opponents 20-yard line and seven touchbacks.
NEWCOMERS
A transfer from Centennial High School (GA), senior RB Nathan Webster is the real deal. A starter since he was a freshman, Webster has more than 1,500 yards and double-digit touchdowns rushing at the varsity level. He will be one of the top running backs in Region 8, if not the entire state in Division II. Webster has an offer from Stetson. He is the younger brother of the Milford’s 2022 leading rusher, Natwan Webster. They are both sons of former Cincinnati Bengal, Nate Webster.
Junior QB Luke Brand has big shoes to fill replacing 2022 OPSWA Division II Second Team All-Ohio performer, Austin Hardin. The coaching staff is very confident in Brand’s capabilities.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(five appearances, 3-6) – 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 1986
2023 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/18/23 – at Edgewood (11-2 in 2022) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/25/23 – at Lebanon (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/01/23 – at Loveland (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/08/23 – ANDERSON (8-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/15/23 – at Kings (13-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/22/23 – LITTLE MIAMI (4-8)– 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/29/23 – WALNUT HILLS (0-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/06/23 – at Winton Woods (12-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/13/23 – WEST CLERMONT (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/20/23 – TURPIN (1-9) – 7:00 PM
TriStateFootball Podcast: 2023 ECC Preview
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