John Milledge Academy’s formula this season for winning games is to start out fast.
Well, that didn’t exactly happen in the first quarter against Brookwood; however, the second was the Trojans for the taking in Thomasville on Friday night against the Warriors.
JMA and Brookwood traded blows through the first quarter. The Trojans got a big defensive stop, but quarterback Briggs Eady threw an untimely INT a few plays later.
Eady rebounded in the second quarter with a long scramble down to the Warrior 26-yard line, which set up Jalan Butts for a 26-yard rushing TD on the next play. Jacob Noles then made the PAT and JMA led 7-0 with seven minutes left in the first half.
The Warriors didn’t back down, though. Quarterback Rodge Waldrop dropped back to pass, connecting with wide receiver Destin Moore downfield for a 70-yard TD. After the PAT, the score was tied up at 7-7 with 5:37 left in the second quarter.
On the ensuing possession, Trojans’ defensive lineman Hayden Hulett sacked Waldrop on fourth-down. JMA would take over on downs at the Brookwood 49-yard line, and a few plays later, Javian Butts crossed the goal from five yards out.
After Noles’ PAT, the Trojans led 14-7 with 2:40 left in the second quarter. John Milledge took the lead it would never give up, scoring two more TDs before halftime.
Jalan Butts scored a 20-yard TD following a Brookwood punt. The Trojans would go up three scores on a four-yard Javian Butts rushing score with a minute left in the half.
JMA led the Warriors 28-7 heading into the locker room at the intermission.
It was a rinse, watch and repeat situation for head coach J.T. Wall’s talented squad.
JMA won the second half, outscoring the Warriors 28-12, to reach the 56-19 final.
Javian rushed for 60 yards and two TDs, while Jalan totaled 53 yards on three carries with two scores. Javian led JMA in receiving by hauling in two passes for 90 yards.
Defensively, Jalan Butts had a 75-yard pick-six late in the fourth quarter. He also racked up seven tackles, tying for a third team-high with senior Tanner Humphrey. Javian had three total tackles, including a tackle for loss on Friday night.
Eady was 7-of-10 passing for 159 yards, one TD and an INT.
He also rushed for a team-high 154 yards and one TD. Eady racked up six total tackles on defense for the Trojans.
JMA is averaging 51.4 yards per game on offense through Week 5. The Trojans are giving up 9.2 points per contest through their first five games of the 2022 season.
In its five games this year, JMA has won by 35 points, 41 points, 48 points, 50 points and 37 points, respectively. The Trojans' current average margin of victory is 42.2 points per contest.
John Milledge (5-0) were set to play Pinewood Christian (3-2) on Thursday.