There was no confusion about what challenge the MX 11 would be facing this week as they headed over to take on senior-laden and undefeated Milton Academy. 

The Mustangs quickly jumped out to a 7-0 first- quarter lead, catching the Zebras back on their heels.  A fumble deep in Middlesex territory set up Milton's second score and they added another in the second quarter for a 21-0 halftime lead. 
The tempo of the game, however, seemed to change late in the second quarter as the MX offense put together a 60-yard drive that came up just short of a score but seemed to change the momentum in the game.  The third quarter belonged to Middlesex as they took the second- half kickoff and drove the ball, on a well-executed combination of passes from QB Austin Dorsey '16 to receivers Drew Coash '14, Hamza Usman '15 and Jack Lyne '16. Solid runs were made by George Morris '15 and Hasani Figueroa '14 that took up most of the period, and ended with a Morris two yard touchdown run. Sam Carlin '15 added the kick to cut the Milton lead to 21-7.  The MX defense led by linemen Steve Zawada '15, Ben Canniff '15, Will Baxter '15, Guy Kato '15, Abdul Sanogo '14 and Kai Long '16, backed up by linebackers Charlie Owen '14, James Burr '15, Ben Marchand '15, George Morris '15, and Sam Carlin '15 then took their turn stepping up their performance by not allowing Milton to score another touchdown in the third or fourth quarters. 
 
The MX offense mounted another drive in the early part of the fourth quarter this time on the legs of fullback Morris and halfback Sam Carlin (who was filling in for an injured Hasani Figueroa '14).  The drive covered 46 yards and culminated in another Morris five yard touchdown run and with the Carlin's kick cut the Milton lead to 21-14 with over six minutes left in the fourth quarter.  Milton took the ensuing kickoff and moved the ball into Middlesex territory but was again stopped on third down but their outstanding kicker added a long 46 yard field goal to stretch the lead to 24-14.  With little time and behind two scores the MX offense moved the ball into Milton territory but a long pass was intercepted and Milton ran out the remaining time for a 24-14 win.  

Tremendous credit has to go to the MX offensive line, Conor Sloan '15, Steve Zawada '15, Walker Griggs '15, Ben Canniff '15 and Will Baxter '15 whose inspired play all afternoon was the main reason for the second half comeback.   The MX 11 will host St. George's next week in our traditional 110 year rivalry.