One-point setback, big-picture gains for Milford football

The Milford Football Cavaliers fall to Delaware Military Academy at Fusco Field in Wilmington Delaware 39-38. (photo courtesy of MaxPrep.com)

Beyond the scoreboard, Milstead’s stamp is showing in the program’s day-to-day habits: fewer pre-snap penalties, cleaner substitutions and a mentality that keeps Milford Football Team engaged in tight fourth quarters.

MILFORD, Del. — Milford High School’s football season has been a rollercoaster—equal parts nail-biters, hard lessons and flashes of real promise under first-year head coach Rod Milstead. And even after Friday night’s one-point heartbreaker, the Buccaneers are leaning into an upbeat finish.

Milford fell to Delaware Military Academy, 39–38, on Oct. 30 at Fusco Field in Wilmington, a game that swung wildly before the Buccaneers mounted a late surge. With under two minutes left, Rahlier Rankin scooped up a fumble and raced roughly 25 yards for a touchdown, and senior Gregory Lockett powered in a two-point conversion to pull Milford within one. DMA recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.

The loss encapsulated Milford’s year: big plays, momentum swings and a refusal to fold. Junior running back Andrew Sivels churned for 113 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries to pace the offense. Fellow juniors Tyjere Perry and Leynisky Olistin delivered timely gains and special-teams sparks, while seniors Lockett and Daniel Aladuge set the tone with physical play on both sides of the ball.

Milstead—an NFL veteran who took over the program this fall—has emphasized discipline, unity and community connection. Players and fans have responded with a visible #BucPride presence on Fridays, even as results have come down to a handful of snaps. Earlier this month, the Buccaneers dropped a 42–14 decision to Lake Forest but rebounded with a tighter effort against DMA, showing improved balance and tackling. Milford has mixed in competitive stretches against Red Lion Christian Academy and others, stacking reps for a young core that has grown each week.

If the offense has supplied the fireworks, the defense has supplied grit. Aladuge and company have forced key takeaways in recent weeks, including Rankin’s late fumble return Friday that nearly flipped the result. The Buccaneers have also found ways to generate points in all three phases—rushing scores behind an improving line, explosive edge plays to the perimeter, and opportunistic special teams.

Beyond the scoreboard, Milstead’s stamp is showing in the program’s day-to-day habits: fewer pre-snap penalties, cleaner substitutions and a mentality that keeps Milford engaged in tight fourth quarters. For a team seeking sustained traction after up-and-down seasons, those traits are building blocks.

There is still meaningful football ahead. Milford visits Polytech on Friday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m., a chance to convert hard-earned lessons into a road win and close strong. Expect the Buccaneers to lean on a physical ground game with Sivels, take calculated shots to Lockett outside, and continue rotating fresh legs on defense to finish drives.

No one in Milford is sugarcoating the bumps. But the arc is clear: a young roster gaining confidence, a new staff installing a standard and a community rallying behind a group that keeps playing to the whistle. For a program measuring progress week by week, that’s what momentum looks like.

Up next: Milford at Polytech, Friday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m.