With Milford Mill and Franklin football both bringing undefeated records into Friday’s showdown, Baltimore County’s fiercest rivalry over the past decade-plus was back at a fever pitch.
The No. 4 Millers, defending county champions, quickly brought the temperature down.
Led by a swarming defense and a strong rushing attack, Milford Mill overwhelmed the host Indians from the start in claiming a resounding 35-0 win.
Leading 21-0 at the half — highlighted by linebacker Koby Sarkodie’s fumble recovery in the end zone — the Millers scored touchdowns on their first two possessions of the second half to lead by 35 and start a running clock by the midway point of the third quarter.
Milford Mill improved to 4-0 and 2-0 in the county, while Franklin fell to 4-1 and 1-1.
“We harped on it all week that we wanted to play some bully ball and come out here and do what we’re supposed to,” Milford Mill coach Reggie White said. “There’s a lot of bad blood between us — no disrespect. So it’s a lot of respect, but we don’t like each other. That’s what makes it a special game and I’m real proud of our guys, they played four straight quarters.”
On the game’s opening possession, the Millers’ defense forced a three-and-out. After a strong punt return from Amauri Patterson put the ball on Franklin’s 38, the offense needed five plays with Dejuan Nelson running in from 3 yards out for a 6-0 lead.
More strong defense followed when linebacker Peyton Johnson got the Millers a safety as he tackled Franklin running back James Joseph in the end zone for a 2-yard loss.
Late in the second quarter, with Milford Mill up 14-0, it was the Indians’ turn to make a big play on defense when lineman Jaidon Williams recovered a fumble to stop a Millers’ drive at the 18-yard line. On the Indians’ first play, quarterback Tanner Hutchins was unable to handle a low snap with Sarkodie recovering the ball in the end zone for the score.
It was that kind of night for the Millers on defense.
“It started on Monday, practice how you play for real and that’s what we came out here with,” Sarkodie said. “It feels good when everyone is swarming the ball, all 11. That’s what they coach us — all 11.”
Johnson, who later added a sack, made sure the Millers’ dominant play did the talking.
“Basically, there was a lot of talking during the game and even before the game, so we came out with the mindset that we weren’t going to let them score,” he said.
Milford Mill standout running back Damon Ferguson gave it a go early, but a minor soft tissue injury kept him on the sideline for most of the game. The Millers featured their depth with Nelson and Raemond Williams capably handing the load. At the start of the third quarter, Nelson ran twice for 23 yards and then Williams scampered 43 yards before capping the drive with a 2-yard touchdown.
Quarterback Mi’cah Williams found Patterson on a screen pass that went for 24 yards and the final score.
Franklin first-year coach Randy Johnson was quick to credit the Millers’ defense.
“My offense struggled a little bit tonight,” he said. “Their defense is really good and we knew they were really good. But we thought we could expose some things — too many mistakes kept getting us behind the chains and it’s hard to overcome against a team like that.”
Both teams stay in county play next week with Milford Mill hosting New Town at 4 p.m. Thursday and Franklin traveling to Catonsville at 6 p.m. Friday.
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