PREVIEW
When King Philip and Milford met during the regular season, it turned out to be a classic. The Warriors snapped Milford’s unbeaten start to the season thanks to a last-second, game-winning kick by Matthew Kelley. Now, these teams will meet at Brockton’s Marciano Stadium with even higher stakes – a trip to Gillette Stadium and a chance to play for the state title.
Both teams have relied on their defenses to get to this point. The teams have allowed a combined 21 points in four playoff games and both tossed shutouts in the opening round before holding off the challenge of a rematch in the second round. These are two of the most dynamic secondaries in the league with Grant Scudo, Nicholas Araujo, and Jayden Archeval on the Milford side and Nick Viscusi, Crawford Cantave, and Jonathan Joseph making plays for KP. While both teams like to run the ball, stopping big plays in the passing game will be critical. The front sevens are big, strong, and athletic. Both teams force you to grind out first downs and make it difficult to sustain drives. Alex McColl had a big game on the line against Natick, Tyler Lane always seems to be around the ball, and Angelo Romero is playing himself back to his top form at the right time of the season. Christopher Sesay, Drew Danson, and William Astorino give the Warriors versatility and toughness up front, on the edge, and at linebacker.
This isn’t just about defense. Both teams have offenses that are more than capable of putting up points in bunches. The ground game is going to be the primary focus for the Warriors, who can call on Rudy Gately and Cantave as a strong one-two punch running behind a big, experienced offensive line highlighted by Hunter Hastings. Charlie Grant has played in a lot of big games and can make plays with either his arm or his legs, as he showed in both wins over Mansfield. One of the top targets in the passing game is Danny Clancy. Milford likes to spread things out and throw the ball a little more but showed in the second half that they can run the ball as well as anyone. Evan Cornelius has had a strong debut season at quarterback (and still a factor at defensive end too) and has a lot of weapons to throw to, including Isaiah Pantalone, Jayden Agnew, and Nick Schuler. The Hawks also have a good running back combo with Lane leading the way but Scudo stepping in with little drop-off. Marco Monteiro headlines the Milford offensive line.
Two strong defenses, two high-performing offenses, two good kickers (Kelley for KP and Araujo for Milford), but only one team can make it to Gillette. The first game came down to the wire and it is a rematch that both teams are looking forward to, so there is a strong possibility of another classic on Friday night.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
October 15, 2021 – Milford, 14 @ King Philip, 17 – Final – King Philip junior Matthew Kelley booted the game-winning field goal with two seconds left to lift the Warriors to a win, snapping Milford’s five-game unbeaten streak to start the season. KP scored both of its touchdowns in the first half with quarterback Charlie Grant running one in from four yards out, and then hitting Rudy Gately for a 2-yard touchdown just before halftime. Nick Aruajo kicked a pair of field goals and Evan Cornelius scored on a keeper — plus a two-point conversion pass — to tie it.
March 27, 2021 – King Philip, 0 @ Milford, 12 – Final – In their first meeting as division foes, Milford scored a shutout over visiting KP. It marked the first time a division opponent held the Warriors off the scoreboard in over a decade. Milford had a pair of interceptions and a goal line stand in the first half to preserve its lead. Brady Olson threw a 60-yard touchdown to Carter Scudo and then connected with Max Martin for the second touchdown.
POLL
Predictions
#2 Milford vs. #3 King Philip
Ryan Lanigan: 
Milford
Josh Perry: 
King Philip
#1 Franklin vs. #5 Springfield Central
Ryan Lanigan: 
Franklin
Josh Perry: Franklin
#3 North Attleboro vs. #2 Billerica
Ryan Lanigan: 
North Attleboro
Josh Perry: North Attleboro
#3 Foxboro vs. #2 Duxbury
Ryan Lanigan: 
Foxboro
Josh Perry: Foxboro
Records
Ryan Lanigan: 50-22
Josh Perry: 50-22