>> JOHN MILLEDGE ACADEMY
John Milledge Academy head football coach J.T. Wall says Friday’s matchup with Heritage (Newnan) in the first round of the playoffs is “just another game” and he isn’t wrong.
However, if the Trojans defeat the Hawks this Friday they will make history in the state of Georgia. They are currently tied with GHSA powerhouse Buford High for the most consecutive wins (47). The Wolves did it over a four-year span in the early 2000s.
Heritage could represent magic win No. 48, but Wall doesn’t want his players to see it that way.
JMA is still on a mission, which is to take the playoffs “game-bygame” in its hunt for another state title. The Trojans are the reigning three-time GIAA Class AAA state champions.
Wall has a lot of respect for Heritage head coach Jake Copeland and what he has done in year two with the program. The Hawks were 0-11 last season, but he and his staff have them in great shape this year at 8-3 heading into the state playoffs.
“They’re a good program, good history,” Wall said. “They always have good athletes, just like this year. They also have a good triggerman in the quarterback. He’s a dual-threat guy and they have really good (wide) receivers.”
Heritage quarterback Dylan Barber is very dynamic and is only a freshman. He’s completed 130 of 192 passes for 1,819 yards with 20 TDs and five INTs. Barber is also the team’s second-leading rusher, totaling 510 yards and six scores.
The Hawks have a young wide receivers corps; however, they are very talented.
Junior Thomas Scoggins leads the team in receptions (35), receiving yards (672) and TDs (10). Dontae Smith, a sophomore, is also an effective pass-catcher. He’s hauled in 34 passes for 447 yards and four scores. Freshman Rocco Barbee is also a deep threat with 33 receptions for 436 yards and five TDs.
“They’re going to spread you out and try to throw it, but they’ve also got a dynamic running back,” Wall said. “They run some zone-read and power-I with him.”
Wall is talking about talented running back Juice Bolden, who averages 7.3 yards per rush. The junior tailback has racked up 1,080 yards on 148 carries with 20 TDs.
As stingy as JMA’s defense has been this season, its defensive backs and front seven will have to be ready, especially because Heritage likes to mix it up offensively.
Nevertheless, the Hawks’ defense, which gives up 15. 8 points per game, will need to stop the Trojans’ offensive attack. They are averaging 47.1 points per game.
“Defensively, they’re (Heritage) going to give you multiple looks and multiple pressures,” Wall said. “They like to bring pressure from everywhere, even way back in the back half (of the defense). We’ve got to be prepared for everything.”
JMA’s offense is led by quarterback Briggs Eady. He’s completed 63 of 95 passes for 1,251 with 12 TDs and one INT. Eady is also the team’s leading rusher with 1,102 total yards on 97 attempts (11.4 yards per carry) and 14 TDs.
The Trojans also have a plethora of other offensive weapons at Eady’s disposal. Javian Butts is their top running back with 849 yards and 12 scores in 2022. However, Carsyn Baker, a freshman, has come on strong late in the season. He’s rushed for 523 yards and 57 attempts with eight TDs in mop-up duty.
Jalan Butts, Bud Veal and Baylen Zielinksi all are Eady’s favorite targets. Butts has a team-high 394 receiving yards on 18 receptions with three TDs. Veal has hauled in 22 passes for 324 yards and five scores. Zielinksi is just as effective in the passing game, totaling 12 receptions for 307 yards and two TDs.
“We have some of the best playmakers around,” Eady told the Baldwin Bulletin after defeating Pinewood Christian. “I couldn’t do it with those guys.”
Heritage’s number one goal on defense will be to contain Eady and the run game. the Hawks will then need to put together long, methodical drives on offense.
JMA has a way of scoring fast and putting teams away early in the first half, though. The only two close games the Trojans have played this season have been victories over Stratford Academy (21-7) and Tattnall Square Academy (28-21).
“I would hope so,” Wall said when asked if the wins over Stratford and Tattnall Square helped better prepare the Trojans for a team like Heritage in the playoffs. “Playing teams of that caliber late in the season, if you come away healthy win or lose, you feel like it’s better prepared you for the playoffs. Just for the simple fact of the game’s speed and how fast they (Heritage) play the game. I think that is definitely going to benefit us down the road.”