The Bucs were right where they wanted to be at the halftime break.
After falling behind quickly in the first quarter, including four straight goals from Caesar Rodney High in the first few minutes and a 6-2 deficit heading into the second quarter, Milford High fought back and stayed in the game.
The Bucs outscored Henlopen Conference Northern Division boys lacrosse foe Caesar Rodney, 3-2, in the second quarter and trailed just 8-5 at the break.
Unfortunately, the Riders’ offensive attack proved too much in the second half as Caesar Rodney pulled away with the 17-8 division win Thursday, May 6. The loss dropped the Bucs to 3-10, while improving CR’s record to 8-4 and snapping a three-game losing streak.
In a wrestling season that many people thought wouldn’t happen, Milford not only had a solid season, but also faired quite well in the just completed Delaware State Wrestling Tournament. The Buccaneers had four wrestlers qualify for the finals, with junior Jack Thode and senior Trent Grant gaining individual tiles. This year with the team championships also being scored in the individual tournament, Milford would finish third in Division I, behind Cape Henlopen and Salesianum. “I was very happy with how we did this year considering all the obstacles we faced as a team. It took a great deal of hard work on the part of everyone in the Delaware wrestling community to pull this off. At the end of the day, it would have been nice to finish higher but considering we really didn’t have any depth in the upper weights, I think we exceeded our expectations,” coach Don Parsley said.
Justin Haggerty, MHS 2021 Homecoming king
On Feb. 17, at a virtual ceremony recognizing the 2020-21 Homecoming Court, Justin Haggerty was selected as Homecoming King. Haggerty was the 2016 Delaware Foundation Reaching Citizens (DFRC) All Star Buddy for the Blue Gold Game. Justin represented Chorus on the Homecoming Court.
“I was very happy to be honored with the title of Homecoming King,” Haggerty said. “I appreciate the support of my classmates who came together and voted for me, honoring me with the title. It is an honor I will cherish forever.”
Haggerty majors in agriculture at Milford High School and is a veteran showman of sheep at the Delaware State Fair. He enjoys raising and caring for animals on the family farm. After graduation, Justin plans to own his own business. He enjoys running lawnmowers and doing yardwork, but has a passion for food and cooking. He would one day like to own a food truck.
This past Friday night, the Milford wrestling team completed its regular season as it hosted Sussex Tech. After dropping the meet’s first match at 106 pounds, the Buccaneers began to roll, as has been the case most of the season. 8th grader Trevor Copes of Milford would win by forfeit at 113, then the parade of pins would begin.
It would start with senior Corey Messick at 120, then junior Jack Thode at 126, junior Trent Grant at 132 would all win by fall. At 138, 8th grader Aaron Briscoe would win by forfeit, sophomore Ryan Mejia would win by fall at 145, followed by sophomore Avery Copes who would win by forfeit at 152. Sophomore Tim O’Hara would win by fall at 160, before the Milford pin streak would come to an end. Buccaneer sophomore Dwayne Wiltbank would win a 5-1 decision at 170. Milford would finally lose at 182 pounds, with Tech getting its first win by fall at 182 pounds.
A split second, that’s all it was between Milford winning the D-I State title and losing it. In wrestling that split second can seem like an eternity. Unfortunately for Milford last season, it was on the wrong end of that split second and would eventually fall to Smyrna, having to settle for second place. “That is just one of those moments where the call can go either way and it just didn’t go ours. It was so close, but I had no problem with the call,” Milford coach Don Parsley said.
Nothing is given in high school sports, so to expect Milford to enter the State finals or tournament for that matter, is nothing to be taken for granted. In today’s climate what most coaches are hoping for across all winter sports is to just be able to compete. While Milford sets a high bar for itself when it comes to wrestling, this year may be a little bit different. There will be no special tournaments, no invitationals, just 12 dual meets against mainly Henlopen Conference competition. “