The John Milledge Academy Trojans (1-2) dropped their second game of the season for the first time since 2017 last Friday night in Chula, falling 46-21 to Tiftarea Academy (3-0).
The loss also represents the Trojans’ worst start to a season since 2009 when that year’s team finished with a 0-10 record.
JMA’s struggles came on both sides of the ball against the Panthers.
Still, the score remained within reach for the Trojans until late in the second quarter when Tiftarea pulled away with a 28-yard touchdown pass to go up 32-14.
The Trojans began the night down 13-0 in the first quarter and then 19-0 early in the second quarter before JMA broke the scoring drought with a rushing score by quarterback Kolt McMichael from three yards out. Kicker Jacob Noles added the extra point to cut the Panthers lead to 19-7.
About four minutes later, McMichael connected with tight end David Todd on a nineyard pass to the endzone, bringing the Trojans within five points of the lead at 19-14 after Noles made the kick again.
However, within the final three minutes of the first half, Tiftarea scored twice with a rushing touchdown and a 28-yard passing touchdown to extend its lead to 32-14.
In the second half, the Panthers added two more scores before JMA managed one last drive that ended with a threeyard pass in the game’s final minute from McMichael to Noles in the endzone, followed by the extra point to reach the 46-21 final.
This Friday, the Trojans will face their toughest challenge of the season in hosting Athens Academy. The Spartans are 3-0 so far and began their season with an impressive 45-22 victory over Aquinas of Augusta.
The Spartans have outscored their opponents 128-41 so far this season and are currently averaging 42.7 points per game while allowing less than two touchdowns per game. In comparison, JMA has averaged 24.7 points per game so far in 2024.
The Spartans have a strong offense led by seniors Bryan McClendon with an impressive 164.7 receiving yards per game, and running back Jamari Welch, averaging 109.0 yards rushing per game.
Senior quarterback Hampton Johnson has nine touchdowns this season with 718 yards passing. He has a .750 completion percentage while averaging 239.3 yards passing per game.
The Spartans’ top tackler is Jeremiah Wingfield, another senior, averaging 11.5 tackles per game and one sack per game.
The Trojans and Spartans will meet at 7:30 p.m. Friday at JMA’s Trojan Field.