While a win is a win, some are certainly prettier than others. Malcolm’s 23-7 home victory over Milford on Sept. 29 fits in the ugly category.
“Credit Milford for showing up ready to battle,” Malcolm head coach Scott Amen said. “I know they only have one win this year, but that’s not a 1-5 kind of team. They’re young and improving each week. They play hard.”
Milford Coach Ryan Voelker said the Eagles’ defense had a good night.
“Our defense played responsibility football and tackled fairly well,” he said.
The No. 6 Clippers opened the game by chewing up four-and-a-half minutes on a 10-play, 63-yard drive that culminated in a Maddox Meyer to Cole Tiedeman 12-yard connection to put Malcolm up 7-0.
Then, it got sloppy. After a defensive stop, Malcolm took over at its own 35-yard line and stalled out on a possession in which it was penalized four times, resulting in a third-and-30 situation.
“I think we had close to 75 penalty yards that quarter,” Amen said. “We were in a funk and couldn’t get out of it. We lacked mental toughness.”
While the offense spun its wheels, the Malcolm defense continued to make plays. The Clippers’ second touchdown came on a second quarter interception which Josh Fox returned 12 yards to the end zone.
“For most of the game, our defense played extremely well,” Amen said. “They did a good job of flying to the ball.”
The one hiccup for the Clippers defense came midway through the third quarter. After recovering a fumble at the Malcolm 20-yard line, Milford put together a seven-play scoring drive that resulted in a Landon Roth to Isaac Roth 11-yard scoring strike.
“We had some breakdowns on their scoring drive,” Amen said. “We missed way too many tackles.”
Malcolm responded by going 78 yards in five plays. Dalton Amen accounted for 68 out those yards on two back-to-back carries, including a 33-yard touchdown run.
“After the way we messed around in the first half, we wanted to go right at them in the second half,” Coach Amen said. “We needed to play some big boy football. Our line and our receivers blocked extremely well on those two runs. Dalton ran in a lot of open space.”
The Malcolm defense was able to hold Milford’s rushing game in check. Keenan Troyer was the team’s leading rusher with 11 yards.
“The running game is always a focus, and we need to continue to try to improve blocking up front,” Voelker said. “It is a tough job, but the linemen keep working hard and our team appreciates it.”
He said Milford’s defense continues to improve, as have the offense and special teams. Milford needs to be more consistent, however, he said.
Amen led the Clippers with 120 rushing yards on 13 carries while Meyer was 10-for-21 through the air for 106 yards. Malcolm had 373 total yards compared to 65 for Milford.
“I’ll shoulder the blame for us not playing a more complete game,” Amen said. “As I look back over the week, we didn’t prepare well. That won’t happen again this year.”
The next challenge for Malcolm (5-1) is this Friday, Oct. 6, at Lincoln Pius X’s Aldrich Field against Lincoln Lutheran. Officially 2-4, the Warriors have three wins on the field. One victory was vacated due to an eligibility issue.
“They’ll come out quick,” Amen said. “They like to start fast. We need to be ready. We don’t want to get behind early.”
Milford (1-5) will host Tri County Friday, Oct. 6, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Voelker said the Trojans will be a good match-up.
“Tri County is an improved football team and will bring a battle to us that we need to be prepared for,” he said. “We want to do what we do, better.”
