>> JOHN MILLEDGE ACADEMY
With new quarterback Solomon Burney at the helm, the John Milledge Academy (JMA) Trojans captured their sixth straight win of the season last Friday, beating the Pinewood Patriots 49-33 on the road.
Trojans starting quarterback Kolt McMichael, who was having a stellar season to date, was injured early in the second quarter against Brookwood two weeks ago and was unable to return. After further evaluation of McMichael’s injury, it was revealed that he had torn his ACL and would be out for the remainder of the season.
Despite the devastating news for the Trojans and their star junior quarterback, veteran play-caller Burney, a transfer from Baldwin County, was able to lead JMA to victory and showed he is more than capable in the substitute role.
At Pinewood, in his first start as JMA’s quarterback, Burney completed 6-of-10 pass attempts for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Javian Butts took many of the Trojans’ offensive rushing plays and carried the ball 24 times for 262 yards while adding a pair of touchdowns against the Patriots.
Jalan Butts also had one reception for 10 yards and scored a touchdown on the ground.
The first drive of the night for JMA saw Javian Butts score his first touchdown from three yards out, giving JMA a 7-0 lead after a successful point-after kick by Jacob Noles.
Pinewood responded quickly with a scoring drive of its own to tie the score at seven, then made a 94-yard drive after JMA was forced to punt, marking the longest drive allowed by the Trojans this season, to take a 14-7 lead.
Midway through the second quarter, however, Burney connected on a 45-yard passing play with Javian Butts to put the Trojans back into the game at 14-14.
Pinewood responded quickly with a 40-yard touchdown pass and PAT of its own to go up 21-14, but again the lead didn’t last long as Javian Butts got his third score of the night, going 65-yards on the ground JMA took the lead back for good in the final minute of the half with Burney throwing 13 yards to Bud Veal in the end zone to give the Trojans a 28-21 halftime lead.
Pinewood struggled offensively to start the second half, but not JMA. The Trojans took a 35-21 lead with Jalan Butts carrying the ball 15 yards to give JMA a commanding lead that lasted through the third quarter.
Veal scored again with a 60-yard run in the opening minute of the final quarter, putting 41-21 on the board after Noles missed the extra point for the first time on the night.
Pinewood Christian responded two minutes later with a 25-yard passing play but also missed the PAT to make it 41-27. The Patriots added another touchdown to reach 41-33, but Javian Butts each scored on the ground again, plus Burney connected with Veal on a two-point conversion pass to reach the final 49-33 score.
With McMichael’s unfortunate injury, the Trojans’ longtime perfect record – now standing at 56 straight games – has certainly been put in jeopardy, but Burney has stepped up alongside the rest of the team.
“He’s handling it well,” JMA head coach J.T. Wall said of McMichael. “He’s been a team player from day one. He’s helped with coaching and has done a great job while he’s continued to recover.”
Wall also gave Burney a vote of confidence.
“He’s done a great job doing what we’ve asked him to do, and he played well last Friday,” Wall said later. “We’re confident in him and what he can do.”
The Trojans have a bye this Friday, but return to Trojan Field next week, where they will host the Stratford Academy Eagles to open region play.