Twin brothers Banks and Briggs Eady may have recently graduated from John Milledge Academy, however, they have left a mark on the Trojans’ athletic program that will last a long time.
Between the Eady brothers, they helped John Milledge Academy win seven state championships across three different sports, with the most recent being the Trojans’ second-straight baseball title.
“I can’t ask for much more, man. I’ve been with every single one of these guys since I was younger,” Banks told The Baldwin Bulletin last week. “It’s been awesome to experience all of this.”
JMA has won four consecutive football state championships and the 2023 senior class, which the Eadys are a part of, never lost a game in the span. The pair were also on the Trojans’ basketball team that won the GIAA Class AAA state championship during the 2020-21 season. Plus, recently, they both helped the baseball team win back-to-back titles for the first time in program history.
“You can’t ask for much more,” Banks said. “Winning these [seven] state titles with my brother, everything we worked for was all for this. It’s just amazing. Not a lot of words can describe this feeling.”
The Eady’s success in athletics comes from hard work, dedication and always striving to come out on top. They will also do anything to win, even if it means helping out their teams in any way possible.
“[Their impact], not just on the field, but them just being winners. They’re also leaders off the field,” JMA head baseball coach Chad Starley said. “Everyone gravitates towards them. They’re great kids [and] they work hard. Other kids see what hard work does for them. No matter what, they compete, and it’s in them. It’s either in you or not, and it’s in them. Plus, they’re just fun to be around.”
The Eady brothers’ competitiveness extends from the gridiron, hardwood and diamond. They never take a day off and are always working to make themselves and those around them better athletes.
“They bring a competitive edge. They are second to none. They love to compete and love to win,” John Milledge Academy head football coach J.T. Wall said back in August. “They’re just great leaders and they do things the right way. They’ve grown up in this program and have been here the whole time. I am just so proud of the young men they’ve become. They’ve done a great job leading this team. I’m looking for great things from not only them but this whole senior class.”
Banks and Briggs played different parts on each team they compete on, but they cheered each other on.
For example, for the past few seasons, Briggs has been one of the main stars on the gridiron for JMA; however, Banks cheers him on and wants his brother to succeed at the highest level on the field.
“That’s just what we do for each other,” Banks said. “I know he does the same for me and our friends.”
Briggs waited his turn to be the starting quarterback at JMA, but he shined in his two seasons as the starter. He passed for 3,257 yards and 34 touchdowns with only three interceptions the past two years.
The 2022 GIAA Football Player of the Year also rushed for 2,341 yards and 31 scores as a junior and senior in 2021 and 2022. He also led the Trojans in rushing yards during each of the past two years.
Briggs was also JMA basketball’s leading scorer as a senior, while he led baseball in batting average.
“I look back on my career and there would be no better way to draw it up,” Briggs said. “Doing it with my brother and teammates by my side makes it even better. We’re always pulling for each other.”
Banks has been a role player in football and basketball. In 2021, he totaled 71 tackles on the gridiron, which tied for fourth on the Trojans’ defensive unit. Banks also racked up 4.5 tackles for loss. He was also a role player in JMA’s offensive system as he caught passes and ran the ball as a junior.
As a senior, Banks only got to play in seven football games as he was battling a nagging shoulder injury.
However, he was able to make the most of his limited time as he totaled 47 tackles and 9.0 stops for loss as one of the Trojans’ most impactful players on defense. Banks also got to score his only touchdown of 2022 in the state title game during a 49-0 rout of Deerfield-Windsor this past December.
“Banks had to overcome a lot this past year, especially at the start of football season when he was hurt,” Briggs said after the football state-title win. “I knew he wanted to get back out there, but he ended it on good terms tonight by getting into the end zone. I am proud of him go out with a bang.”
The legacy the Eady brothers left on the football field that night at Mercer’s Five Star Stadium carried over to the baseball field last week at Edmund Burke Academy, which is where they played their final game as athletes at John Milledge Academy. And of course, they went out on top.
Banks led the Trojans’ offense at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a home run and a team-high five RBIs.
On the other hand, Briggs’ bat might have been silent, but he made several key defensive plays, including the game’s final out as the opposing batter hit a deep fly ball out to the left field, where he was.
“It’s always a give-and-take, especially between ourselves and our friends. But for our careers, as a senior class, winning seven state championships is legendary,” Briggs said. “No one in John Milledge's history can probably ever say they won that many state titles. We’ve been there for our entire lives. Our friends we’ve won with have, too. It’s just the best thing. Winning never gets old.”
Banks and Briggs won’t play any sports at the next level, but both plan to attend Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, where they will also live together as roommates in a freshmen dorm.