Milford Tops Cross Town Rival Lakeland 35-32

The Milford Mavericks topped cross town rival Lakeland 35-32 in a steady rain Friday night. The Mavericks scored first on a 5-yard run by quarterback Alex Larson capping an 80-yard drive. Milford’s defense held the Eagles on their opening drive and took over at their own 20 yard line after an Eagle punt. The Mavericks scored quickly as Larson hooked up with Jonathon Schwartz on a 75-yard touchdown pass as the visitors took a 14-0 lead. 

The Mavericks took a 14-0 lead into the second quarter as the rain continued. Lakeland got the offense going as quarterback Ross Heiman scored from 7-yards out to cut the lead to 14-6.  Milford came right back on a dazzling 50-yard scamper by Robert Ritchie giving the Mavericks a first down at the Lakeland 15 yard line. Three plays later, Ritchie scored from 4 yards out. Kyle Monagle converted on the extra point giving Milford a 21-6 lead.

The Eagles came right back as quarterback Ross Heiman tossed a 74-yard touchdown pass to Beau Whihelm with 5:17 remaining in the first half. Lakeland did not convert on the 2 point try giving Milford a 21-12 lead. Milford's offense answered with another long drive as Daniel Wallace plunged into the end zone from 3 yards out giving the Mavericks a 28-12 lead at the half.

The Eagles got the offense going in the third quarter lead by Dalton Christie’s touchdown run. Lakeland converted on the 2 point conversion on a pass from Ross Heiman to Beau Whihelm cutting the lead to 28-20.  On the ensuing kick off, Jonathon Schwartz grabbed the ball at the Maverick 3 yard line and went coast to coast on a 97-yard return for Milford. The special teams touchdown gave the visitors a 35-20 lead with what proved to be the winning play for Milford.

The Eagles offense scored again on a Christie 1-yard run with 1:19 left in the third quarter cutting the lead to 35-26. Heiman hooked up with Anthony Waite on a 45-yard touchdown pass midway through the 4th quarter narrowing the deficit to 35-32. 

The Maverick defense stiffened the rest of the way. Anthony Dawson came up with a big interception with 1.8 seconds left giving the Mavericks the exciting 35-32 win.

Milford wraps up the 2012 season with a 4-5 record, while Lakeland finishes at 5-4.