The John Milledge (JMA) Trojans season ended last Friday night in Chula with a disappointing 35-28 loss to Tiftarea.
JMA finished its 2024 season with just two wins and a 2-9 final record, its worst since 2009 when the Trojans went winless.
Still, head coach J.T. Wall remained positive, pointing out his team finished strong, and he remains proud of how his guys played throughout the season.
“I thought the guys competed all year no matter what,” Wall said. “Obviously we would have loved more wins, but the overall growth and development of the guys was something that we are proud of.”
JMA’s wins came in its second and 10th games of the season. The team dealt with injuries throughout the season to key players, forcing several young replacements to step up in big games. David Todd, Cole Vining, and Asa Wall were each called upon to temporarily fill in for three of JMA’s top players this past season.
For more than half the season, Todd served as the Trojans’ quarterback after starter Kolt McMichael was injured early in the 2024 campaign. Despite not earning a game win, Todd kept the Trojans competitive in many games while still playing defense, where he finished second on the team in tackles with 67 for the season.
When McMichael returned to action late in the season, fellow senior Todd resumed his natural offensive position of tight end and led the team at season’s end with 341 yards in receiving yards and five receiving TDs.
Junior running back Vining also stepped up and played great as JMA’s number-one back, gaining a team-best 838 yards rushing and three touchdowns on the ground. Vining also had three 100-yards-plus rushing games and 16 catches for 103 yards receiving.
Meanwhile, Asa Wall had an outstanding freshman campaign, leading the team in tackles with 94 total, which included 62 solo and 32 assisted tackles. He also had 11 TFLs, 229 yards rushing, and 20 catches for 304 yards receiving with eight total touchdowns.
Several unknowns remain for the Trojans’ future at certain positions, and despite posting a disappointing record this year, Coach Wall insisted he remains proud of the legacy this year’s senior class left at JMA.
“They have been a class act and I’m super proud of all they have accomplished,” he said.