A ground-first identity
After losing two of the most productive pass-catchers in program history, Milton has reshaped its offence around the running game. The Wildcats enter the playoffs at 6-2, with senior running backs Jayden Dubois and Peter Skutnik carrying much of the offensive responsibility.
The shift came after the departure of quarterback Patrick Collins and receiver Ronan Sammon. Collins left as the program’s all-time leader in touchdown passes, with 54. Sammon graduated as the record-holder for receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, finishing with 165 catches, 2,791 receiving yards and 34 touchdowns.
Those losses forced Milton to find a different way to move the ball. The team has not returned as frequently to the aerial attack that defined the first 11 seasons of head coach Steve Dembowski’s tenure, but its rushing production has remained strong despite limited returning experience along the offensive line. The Wildcats brought back only one starting offensive lineman, six-foot-six left tackle Matt Wagner, who is committed to Villanova.
“The deepest backfield we've ever had.”
That was Dembowski’s assessment during training camp in August. With the regular season complete, the coach’s prediction has been supported by the work of Dubois and Skutnik, whose contrasting roles have given Milton a reliable two-player rotation.
Two backs, complementary jobs
Dembowski said Skutnik generally opens drives, while Dubois is used more often to close them. The arrangement gives Milton a pair of experienced options without requiring either player to carry the entire workload. Dembowski also highlighted their ability to contribute beyond rushing, saying both backs can catch passes and block for one another.
“Pete starts most of the drives, and Jayden comes in and kind of finishes them,” Dembowski said after Milton’s 27-20 victory over Weymouth last week. “The two of them have been fantastic for us. (Dubois) is just so strong and relentless. They both have great hands; they catch the ball. They block for each other.”
Dubois delivered one of the defining performances of the win. He carried the ball 21 times for 131 yards and scored four touchdowns, producing his second four-touchdown game of the season. His scores came at several critical points: a one-yard run opened the scoring, a 10-yard carry brought Milton within one point in the second quarter, and a two-yard touchdown tied the game at 20-20 in the third. His eight-yard run then put the Wildcats ahead with less than six minutes remaining.
Skutnik added 23 carries for 107 yards. His longest contributions came at important moments, including a 19-yard run that helped set up the opening score and a 25-yard gain that helped Milton control the clock late in the game.
Playoff test against Hingham
The Wildcats now face a first-round Division 3 matchup against No. 9 Hingham. Milton is seeded No. 8, while Hingham enters with a 5-3 record. The game is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6, at 6:30 p.m.
Hingham’s preparation will centre on limiting a rushing attack that has become Milton’s clearest strength. The matchup also presents a test of whether the Wildcats’ relatively inexperienced offensive line can continue creating enough room for its senior backfield against a playoff opponent.
| Team | Seed | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Milton | No. 8 | 6-2 |
| Hingham | No. 9 | 5-3 |
What Milton brings into the postseason
Milton’s path to the playoffs has been built on a straightforward formula: establish the run, use two dependable senior backs and lean on their ability to contribute in multiple phases. Dubois supplies power and finishing ability, while Skutnik has provided volume and explosive gains. Together, they have allowed the Wildcats to remain productive even after the departure of their leading passing and receiving stars.
- Jayden Dubois: 131 rushing yards and four touchdowns against Weymouth.
- Peter Skutnik: 107 rushing yards on 23 carries in the same game.
- Milton: No. 8 seed entering the Division 3 playoffs with a 6-2 record.
For Milton, the opening playoff game will show whether its ground-based approach can carry the team deeper into the postseason. The Wildcats have already replaced record-setting production through the air with a backfield built on depth, physical running and complementary roles.
