Friday's non-conference season-opener between Princeton and Milford high schools was as much about missed opportunities – most of them by Milford – as it was about winners and losers.
For the record, senior Darrion Henry scored on a one-yard run, Princeton opened the second half with a bit of trickery that produced another touchdown and the visiting Greater Miami Conference (GMC) Vikings pulled away from the Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC) Eagles for a 38-7 win at Eagle Stadium.
The Eagles committed six turnovers, including four interceptions, and the Vikings scored 17 points off of them
"We're young," third-year Milford Head Coach Tom Grippa said. "We started six sophomores, but no excuses. They were better than us tonight, but in two years here, we've been better in Week 10 than in Week 1. We'll get better. We'll keep coaching them."
Princeton Head Coach Mike Daniels was more concerned about his team's 18 penalties for 139 yards than he was happy about the six turnovers forced by the relentless Vikings defense.
"Penalties get you beat," Daniels said. "That's an alarming rate. We have to get better."
He credited defensive coordinator Chris Gillam for implementing Princeton's pressure defense.
"They've done a good job," Daniels said. "We're an attacking defense. We live and die by being aggressive. That's who we'll always be."
Relentless Princeton pressure led by senior linebacker Jaheim Thomas and junior safety Leroy Bowers had Milford senior quarterback Hunter Johnson on his heels for most of the game. Johnson, who threw for 2,618 yards and 25 touchdowns last season, finished 10-of-34 for 85 yards and one touchdown on a three-yard slant to junior tight end Bryson Chambers on the first play of the fourth quarter.
"We just wanted to put pressure on them," said Bowers, whose fumble recovery and interception gave him two turnovers in one game for the first time in his career. "We're happy, but it's not over. We still need a lot of work."
The Vikings are scheduled to play their home-opener against Withrow next Friday at 7 p.m. The Eagles are due to play Dayton Dunbar in the second of three consecutive season-opening home games. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
FOR THE COMPLETE AND ORIGINAL ARTICLE, CLICK HERE.
