JMA enters district play at home

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  • Sophomore Cohen Brooks (40) has been in on 25 tackles so far this season for JMA, including 10 solo takedowns. Meanwhile, Keontae Whipple (16) has been effective on both sides of the ball, and after just six games this year, Bud Veal (3) has already exceeded his total yards gained (645) and matched his touchdown total (9) from last season’s 13-game campaign.
    Sophomore Cohen Brooks (40) has been in on 25 tackles so far this season for JMA, including 10 solo takedowns. Meanwhile, Keontae Whipple (16) has been effective on both sides of the ball, and after just six games this year, Bud Veal (3) has already exceeded his total yards gained (645) and matched his touchdown total (9) from last season’s 13-game campaign.

    John Milledge Academy (6-0) begins district play this Friday at 7:30 p.m. as it hosts Stratford Academy (4-3, 0-1 District 6) at Trojan Field in Milledgeville.

    Stratford had a good start to its season, winning the first three games, but were defeated in three of their next four, including last Friday’s 34-7 loss to Tatnall Square Academy.

    The Eagles played well on offense in each of their four wins so far; however, they scored two or fewer touchdowns in each loss. Stratford relies heavily on its run game, averaging 5.4 yards per rush and 85.1 yards rushing per game through four of their six games.

    Stratford’s top rusher is Cope Smith, who has 251 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 32 carries through four of six games so far this year.

    Through the air over four games, the Eagles completed only 10 passes for 179 yards on 31 attempts.

    On defense, Stratford has played well but has struggled against some of its stronger opponents, including Tatnall Square and St. Anne Pacelli. Both are the only opponents to score more than three touchdowns against the Eagles and both left with victories this season.

    Heading into this game, undefeated JMA is coming off a bye week with an offense expected to rely on its run game more than the passing game, just as they have for most of this season.

    However, with Solomon Burney expected to be in for the injured Kolt McMichael at quarterback, the Trojans may look more toward passing the ball in this game. With limited playing time to this point, Burney has completed 9 of 15 passing attempts (60%), averaging 18.7 yards per toss.

    Regardless, senior running back Javian Butts can be expected to get a lot of carries against Stratford after going 307 yards rushing two weeks ago in a 49-33 win over Pinewood Christian. According to MaxPreps.com, Javian Butts is averaging 162.3 yards per game this season and should easily pass the 1,000-yard rushing mark this Friday against the Eagles.