Football picks: Stephen Decatur hosts Milford Mill in Class 2A state semifinal rematch
For the second year in a row, one of the spots in the Class 2A high school football state championship will come down to a matchup between Stephen Decatur and Milford Mill.
Last year, the Seahawks made the trip to Baltimore, with the undefeated Millers pulling out a 40-33 win, and they would go on to win the title a week later. This time, the 12-0 Seahawks are the unbeaten team looking to continue a perfect season, and they will play host to the defending state champions in Berlin.
It's only right that these two teams face off again deep in the 2A playoffs, and here is a preview for Friday's state semifinal game between Decatur and Milford Mill.
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Maryland Class 2A Football Semifinals: Milford Mill at Stephen Decatur
When: Friday, Nov. 24, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Stephen Decatur High School
Stephen Decatur has outscored its three playoff opponents 142-21, as the Seahawks have not just continued their regular-season dominance, but have improved on it in the postseason. Usually, the postseason means tougher games and closer scores for great teams. But Decatur has been so good that it hasn't been the case.
That could change Friday, as the Seahawks face the reigning state champions who ended their season last year. Like Decatur had to replace Luke Mergott, their best player from 2022, Milford Mill has also lost some of their top players, including Sean Williams and Daysen Shell, who each gave the Decatur defense headaches last year. But they do return quarterback Deshawn Purdie, who scored the game-winning touchdown in that matchup.
With more experience and confidence after back-to-back deep playoff runs, this Decatur defense feels more equipped to stop the Millers, as well as either opponent they would face in the championship game. With the Seahawks' passing game locked in like it was against Wilde Lake, it's hard to imagine someone beating this Seahawks team, even Milford Mill.
This will probably be the toughest game of the season for Decatur, and it wouldn't be a surprise if it is its first game decided by seven points or less, considering the opponent and history between the two. The Millers are the defending champs, but this feels like Stephen Decatur's season, with the Seahawks exacting revenge and moving one step closer to a state title.
Pick: Stephen Decatur
This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Maryland football playoffs: 2A prediction for Decatur-Milford Mill
