Despite a come-frombehind attempt that fell 11 points shy of the Tattnall Square Academy (TSA) last Friday night in Macon, John Milledge Academy (JMA) put together one of its best games of the season. The hometown Trojans held on to a 28-17 victory over the visitors with the same team name.
The Trojans from Milledgeville were able to keep the game close thanks to an outstanding effort from a defense that forced four turnovers, two in each half. Bradyn Harrison forced the first turnover, intercepting a pass from TSA quarterback Caden Faulk. The interception set up JMA on its opponent’s 35-yard line and led to an Asa Wall five-yard rushing touchdown.
The JMA defense again stepped up when free safety Bryce McDonel intercepted another TSA pass and returned it to JMA’s own nine-yard line. JMA eventually punted before forcing another turnover.
This one was recovered by Ryan Murphy on a muffed punt return by the TSA return man and set up an eventual 35-yard field goal for John Milledge. JMA’s Jacob Noles nailed the kick to put the visiting Trojans up 10-0 and put the TSA Trojans on upset alert nearing halftime.
Faulk responded with a great throw to receiver Ty Hunnicut for a 45-yard touchdown pass, cutting JMA’s lead to 10-7 for halftime with the extra point.
To start the second half, neither team had much offensive success, exchanging several possessions. Eventually, however, a JMA punt led to a TSA touchdown drive that ended with a fouryard rushing score and point-after kick.
Now trailing 14-10, JMA rallied and successfully drove 55 yards for a responding touchdown.
The drive ended on freshman Wall’s second score of the night with an eight-yard run to give the visiting Trojans a 17-14 lead.
The advantage was short-lived, however, lasting only one minute before the TSA Trojans’ dynamic duo of Faulk and Hunnicut again connected on a 66-yard touchdown pass to reclaim the lead at 21-17. They connected once more before the final buzzer to cement the 28-17 victory for the home Trojans.
With the loss, JMA moves to 1-8 on the season and 0-2 in region play. The Trojans currently are ranked eighth in GIAA class AAA rankings, which remains high enough to get them into the playoffs.
JMA hopes to get some insurance in its final push to the playoffs Friday night at home when they host Mount de Sales (3-6, 0-3), with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Senior Night.