Franklin-Milford Mill football to pick up 4th quarter Monday
When the EMT required to be on the sideline during any high school football game arrived at Milford Mill an hour late for Thursday's game against Franklin, both coaches knew they would have to hurry to get the game in.
But starting at 5 p.m. even in early October is just too late to beat sunset.
Milford Mill has no lights, so the game had to be called for darkness with the Indians holding a 28-22 lead with 10:24 remaining. The Indians will return to Milford on Monday at 3:30 p.m. to pick up where they left off -- driving from inside the Millers' 1-yard line.
"I don't want to lay blame on anybody. Those things happen," Milford Mill coach Reggie White said. "The EMT guy was late and both teams pass [which lengthens the game]. We skipped halftime pretty much. It was very quick and we went right back into the game, but it got too dark."
The game had been back-and-forth to that point that neither team scored consecutive touchdowns.The Indians got two touchdowns from Reggie Ellis and scored the go-ahead touchdown on a pass from quarterback Jackson Thornton to All-Metro wide receiver Ian Thomas. If they can tack on a quick score Monday, the Indians could take control.
White said his team will need to hold right away.
"It's got to be huge," White said. "They're on the half-yard line, so I'm looking for a quarterback sneak three times in a row. "
The two teams came into the game locked in a four-way tie for second place in Baltimore County's Class 4A-3A Division. Franklin, Milford Mill, Perry Hall and Parkville were all 3-1 in the division behind undefeated Catonsville.
The Comets (6-0 overall) rolled over Eastern Tech 39-17 Thursday night to improve to 5-0 in the division. Perry Hall beat Parkville, 39-26 to take over sole possession -- for three days, at least -- of second place at 4-1. In a division race this tight, Franklin and Milford likely need this win to stay in the race.
Coming back on Monday will be especially challenging because the teams cannot practice between now and then. Baltimore County teams cannot practice Friday and Saturday because of Yom Kippur, and Maryland public schools cannot practice on Sundays.
"It's going to be a challenge for the coaching staff to get the kids going," Franklin coach Anthony Burgos said. "It's a big game for both of us. We're both in the hunt right now and so it's a must win, I would like to say, for both teams. I think that's why it had the physical nature of the game tonight. Both teams were laying it on the line."
This will be the Indians first Monday action of the season, but the Millers played a Monday game two weeks ago after their Perry Hall game was rained out the previous Friday. That was the Millers' only loss this season, 12-7.
"It's tough when you put the kids in that situation," White said of not being able to practice. "You hope the kids can maintain their intensity and remember what was put in in the week of planning. You just go out there and put the game in their hands. Hopefully, they can respond."
Comments
Franklin vs milford game. Devin Gibbs-Wagner scored the 1st TD for franklin & threw a 2 piont conversion to andrew bond
Posted by: Shannon | October 7, 2011 7:07 PM