Undermanned Scarlet Hawks competing against top tier slate

By Chris Villani

Jack Buckley (1) and Jason Stokes (3) have been two of Milford's most explosive players this fall. Photo credit: Paige Brown Photography

The Milford High football team is in a tough position this fall as a team with barely 30 players going up against some of the biggest, most competitive programs in the area. But head coach Dale Olson’s team has responded, winning two of its first four games and nearly pulling off a win against a talented Leominster squad.

“We are battling,” Olson said. “We don’t have a ton of numbers and we’ve had a few injuries. We are getting a little worn down with a tough schedule.”

Even some of Milford’s strongest players have achieved success despite injuries. Olson praised the play of Jack Buckley, who is battling an injury. Andrew Rivera has a banged up shoulder, but that has not stopped him from picking off a pair of passes and returning a fumble for a touchdown through the first four games. “He is playing really well defensively,” Olson said.

Junior Jason Stokes might be the Hawks’ most “dynamic” player, according to his head coach. He has scored touchdowns both on the ground and through the air and is playing well on defense. Anthony Maietta is yet another playmaker for Milford on both sides of the ball.

“Four games in, I am getting what I thought I would out of all of those guys,” Olson said following a loss to Natick that sent Milford into its bye week. But he is looking for a little more success over the second half of the year.

“At Milford, we have an expectation to win every time we play,” Olson said. “We are hoping to get a little bit healthier and hopefully get some more experience for the guys up front so they get better game by game.”

Olson touted Milford’s speed and athleticism, but noted the team is young overall up front with several players on the offensive line who are in their first year as varsity starters. “They are searching for an identity,” he said.

The schedule does not get any easier now that Milford has begun Hockomock League play, and Olson noted that the league might be the strongest in the state. King Philip, which has played in six of the past eight Super Bowls, and Franklin figure to be two of the toughest tests on the schedule.

“We are playing a lot of D1 schools and playing big boy football with a roster of 32 kids,” Olson said. “We have our hands full. But, if we stay healthy, we will make a playoff run.”