John Milledge Academy (8-1, 3-0) trounced Tatnall Square Academy 52-7 last Friday night in Milledgeville to clinch its seventh region title in the last eight years.
The hometown Trojans dominated the first half, scoring five touchdowns in the opening quarter alone. By halftime, JMA led 42-0 over the visiting TSA Trojans.
Tatnall Square (0-9, 0-3) is in the midst of a rebuild while JMA is at the other end of its rebuilding phase with a region championship already locked up for a first-round bye in the state playoffs beginning next month.
“Just the way our guys competed week in and week out,” is how JMA head Coach J.T. Wall described his team’s progression this season. “We’ve just got to do that one more time this week versus Mount de Sales.”
Wall pointed out his players “executed very well, won the turnover battle early, and took advantage of mistakes by the opposing team,” last Friday night.
The stats back up Wall’s analysis, as JMA quarterback Lewis Cheney hit tight end Asa Wall for a 59-yard touchdown pass within the first minute of play. Running back Javaris “Duke” Hurt scored at the nine-minute mark on a 44-yard rush, followed by a pick-six score by defensive back Brayden Faulkner on TSA’s next possession.
Cheney also connected with Wall twice more for touchdowns of 54 and 55 yards before halftime.
Running back Jamel Cooper scored JMA’s only second quarter touchdown on a 25-yard run to give the Trojans a 42-0 halftime lead.
JMA kicker Allman Burrell drove a 23-yard kick through the uprights and reserve QB Lane Rhodes entered the game in relief of Cheney and connected with Wyatt Echols for an eight-yard passing score for the Trojans’ only second-half points.
Asa Wall led JMA with a career-high 168 yards receiving on just three catches that all went for touchdowns. Cheney had 182 yards passing on just four completions of eight attempts and three passing scores.
Hurt led the team in rushing with 48 yards on four touches with one touchdown, and Cooper had 31 yards on three touches with one touchdown as well.
This Friday, JMA faces its final regular season contest versus Mount de Sales Academy (2-7, 1-2). Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. at Cavalier Fields in Macon.