The John Milledge Academy (JMA) Trojans are going back to the GIAA AAA state semi-finals for the seventh time in eight years following a dominant 56-0 performance against Piedmont Academy last Friday night in Milledgeville.
The Trojans’ offensive attack was led by running back Javaris “Duke” Hurt and tight end Asa Wall, who each scored two touchdowns in the first half, while wide receivers Bryce McDonel and Bradyn Harrison both caught touchdown passes from quarterback Lewis Cheney.
Fullback Cohen Brooks and freshman wide receiver Gus Cummings contributed as well with their first scores of the season.
By halftime, the Trojans led the Cougars 49-0 and only one touchdown was scored in the second half when Cummings received a pass from reserve quarterback Lane Rhodes.
Later, JMA head coach J.T. Wall acknowledged his team’s dominance but said he wants to see how it does in a “four quarter” game.
“It was good,” Wall allowed after the Trojans quarterfinal playoff win. “We know whoever we play next week is gonna be coming in here ready to go. “These guys did what they had to do to come in and get the win in a dominating fashion, but at the same time you know we’re coming off of a couple of these (dominating wins) and a bye week, so you’re kind of wondering where we are when a four-quarter game happens,” the coach continued.
“So that’s why we try to stay on these guys. That’s why we practice so hard and try to stay on them, and they’re doing a great job of responding so far.”
After the game, the Trojans awaited the final score from Valdosta to see who their opponent would be for this Friday’s state semifinal game.
It turned out to be Frederica Academy (8-3, 3-0), out of St. Simons Island, a team JMA faced most recently in 2023. Their last playoff meeting came in the Covid-19 shortened 2020 season when the Trojans shut out the Knights in the GISA AAA State Championship game.
Friday night’s GIAA AAA semifinal game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Trojan Field at JMA’s Ted Smith Stadium in Milledgeville.