Experiencing Senior Night as a part of the graduating class was filled with emotion, nostalgia, and excitement. The ceremony occurred before the game against Walled Lake Northern on Sept. 27. About 30 football, cheer, and pom seniors were honored beside their parents, providing a rose for mom and taking a family photo. Each senior’s plans and sports memories were shared with the crowd as they walked the field. Moms and families shed tears, and the seniors in the student section were just as emotional. The game started with the football team running through the senior sign made by the cheerleaders and Ike Stufft leading the pack holding the Maverick flag.
The national anthem was sung by the senior cheerleader Evia Marszalek and from then on, Milford was on fire. Senior Landon Murray led the team with 146 yards receiving and two touchdowns. “Milfordtron,” the nickname which sparked from Calvin Johnson on the Detroit Lions known as Megatron, was given to Murray is well known for his impressive catches and insane yardage. He would not be able to do it without Senior quarterback Brady Heggemeyer, who led the team with 102 yards passing. “Next year I will miss the game and playing it with his best friends,” Murray said. The connection and friendships throughout the team are evident through their seamless plays and communication on the field.
On defense, Owen Stark, Kaden Johnston, and Ike Stufft led the team in tackles. Johnston has three tackles for a loss, including a sack. Stufft led the group with nine assisted tackles (three solo). “Next year, I will miss playing with Kaden the most because he brings humor to the team and we work well together on defense while playing the same position,” Stufft stated.
Stufft and Johnston are known as the “Bash Brothers” for playing linebacker on opposite sides and closing in on plays together. Jack Stine is a leader on both offense and defense. “The team prays before every game,” he said. “ Everyone being there for one another and supporting each other for the past four years has been awesome.” The Milford team is like no other and the bond between the seniors is inseparable.
Senior AJ Skolnik played on both sides of the ball against Northern with great success on each side. “It is very hard to say goodbye to such great teammates that have been playing together since elementary school,” Skolnik said. Seniors Shayla Tokar, Emma Giese, Ella Hendry, Addison Brill, Kiara Polizin, and Alexandra Adams brought the energy with a jaw-dropping dance performance during half-time.
Lastly, the senior cheerleaders Evia Marszalek, Grace Wolff, and Angelina Filloon kept the student section going while cheering in front of their class. Senior Night was one for the books, and the senior class led the team to a dominating win against Northern leaving them with zero points on the scoreboard and Milford with five touchdowns.
