Milford football comes back late to beat Pelham in overtime

MILFORD - The Milford High School football held on to defeat Pelham in overtime by the score of 14-13. The victory extends the Spartans' win streak to three, as they remain a perfect on the season.

Although Milford was awarded the victory, it wasn’t pretty and didn’t come easy. The Spartans were plagued by penalties for the majority of the contest. Each time the Spartans pulled off a big gain, it was quickly called back with holding penalties. The game’s first score would be a crucial one, as both teams would not score again until the action-packed fourth quarter.

The Spartans opened with the ball and looked to establish their run-heavy offense early and often in the game to wear down the Pythons' defense. However, during a routine exchange, Milford’s Gavin Urda lost the ball with fullback Junior Ughu and Pelham (1-2) quickly recovered the fumble, and quickly made the Spartans pay for their crucial mistake.

Just a few plays later, Pelham quarterback Ian Hoey, pushed his way through the Spartans' defense for the 1-yard touchdown. Pelham took the 7-0 lead, and quickly silenced the home crowd. This score would end up having a massive impact as it would remain 7-0 until deep into the fourth quarter.

For the remainder of the first half, and into the second, both teams would trade promising possessions, but each drive would go on to end in either a punt or failed fourth-down conversion. It wasn’t until a time-consuming drive by the Spartans that this game turned. It seemed as though whenever the Spartans need a play, Urda stepped up and delivered for his team.

Urda drew the game level when he pounded his way in for a tough 5-yard touchdown. The extra point deflected off the inside of the post and through to even the score at 7-7. The score was a sigh of relief for the struggling Milford offense, and on the very next series, the Milford defense would step up as well.

Just two plays into their ensuing drive, the Pythons turned the ball over on a costly fumble. Milford would set up its offense on the Pelham 30-yard line with just over eight minutes remaining. The Spartans would drive down to the 10-yard line, only to be intercepted by Charlie Katin and the Pelham defense on an errant pass by Urda.

The game would eventually go into overtime, with the Spartans starting the overtime period on offense at the Pelham 10-yard line. Three tough plays later, Milford would take its first lead on a Sean Hanrahan touchdown. The Spartans took the 14-7 lead, and needed just one defensive hold to win the game.

Knowing what was needed, and what was on the line, the Pelham offense took the field down seven. The Pythons' offense answered the call on a Hoey touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone to Colby Travis. The Pelham supporters jumped from their seats and cheered for their squad, but instead of going for the PAT, the Pythons' offense strolled out onto the field to attempt to steal the win in overtime.

Hoey dropped back to pass on the conversion and Pelham appeared to have a receiver open, but Milford’s Logan Barnhill, from his linebacker spot, read the play extremely well, jumped in front of the pass and sealed the victory with the overtime interception.