The John Milledge Academy (JMA) Trojans traveled to Columbus last Saturday to play in the SECIS Invitational hosted by Brookstone Academy. The Trojans also competed last season in the SECIS tournament and won 48-7 over Lamar High School from Meridian, Miss.
The Trojans have gotten out to a powerful start to this 2023 season with a pair of double-digit margins of victory over Brentwood in week one in Milledgeville and now a 58-12 win over Canton Academy from Canton, Miss.
“I’ve been impressed with the effort they have played with and the way they have been able to adapt to change,” JMA head coach J.T. Wall said of his team. “With this heat, we have had to change multiple practices to 6 a.m., and each player has been all in and present and ready to work and get better each day.”
JMA opened the scoring with a Justin England interception that led to a 3-0 lead after Jacob Noles kicked a 29-yard field goal.
After a short Canton possession, the Trojans got the ball back and scored on a touchdown pass from Kolt McMichael to Jalan Butts for a 28-yard score.
After another Canton punt, JMA scored again as McMichael threw to Bud Veal for a 43-yard touchdown. The Trojans got their third touchdown when McMichael reached tight end David Todd with a 23-yard pass to the end zone for a 24-0 lead.
Canton struggled against the Trojans' stout defense and made a turnover on downs, which set JMA up for another scoring drive. Javian Butts got his first touchdown of the year on a 16-yard rush after a long pass completion, followed by the extra point to make it a 31-0 lead.
JMA would score twice more before the end of the first half on a pair of passing plays from McMichael to Jalan Butts, giving the Trojans a 44-0 lead at halftime.
After the visitors kicked off to open the second half, JMA took over at its own 29-yard line, and on the first play from scrimmage, Veal made the 71-yard run for a touchdown. Noles tacked on the point after to make it 51-0.
Canton finally got on the scoreboard with about five minutes left in the third quarter with a 19-yard rushing touchdown, but the PAT was no good, making it 51-6 when the quarter ended.
With mostly reserve players on the field for JMA in the final quarter, the Trojans scored once more when McMichael connected with a 21-yard pass to Solomon Burney. Noles again made the extra point.
Canton did reach the end zone once more, too, scoring with about six minutes left on a 21-yard passing play. They then attempted a 2-point conversion, but the Trojans’ defense held fast to preserve the 58-12 final score.
JMA has a bye this week in its regular season schedule, but the Trojans will return to play next week when they travel to George-Walton Academy in Monroe. The Trojans’ next home game in Milledgeville is Sept. 22 versus Brookwood.