REIGNING STATE CHAMPS COMPETE AGAINST STATE’S BIGGEST PROGRAMS
The John Milledge Academy (JMA) football team traveled to Statesboro and Athens June 10 for the Kirby Smart 7-on-7 football camp.
The Trojans competed against some of the biggest high school football programs in Georgia and went 2-3 in competition at UGA. Significantly, their two wins came against two larger programs in Winder-Barrow and Cambridge, but the team’s record in 7-on-7 play was not as important as being competitive, according to JMA head coach J.T. Wall.
“We got some good work against some good competition,” Wall said. “I loved the way our guys competed and showed great effort and tried to get better from the first 7-on-7 to the last.”
The biggest story for the Trojans over the past two weeks has been about the quarterback position. Last season, Wall knew his quarterback would be Lewis Cheney, who arrived for his senior year and did not disappoint. Cheney threw for 1,902 yards and 23 touchdowns in a season-long run to the Trojans’ sixth state title in program history.
This offseason, Wall and his coaching staff will decide between sophomore Lane Rhodes and junior Nathan Snow, taking over the all-important position. Neither has previous experience as a starting quarterback; however, both are receiving an equal shot over the course of the offseason.
“Both guys bring different things to the offense,” Wall said.
The quarterback position will be decided later this summer, but other positions on the field are solidified, especially at linebacker, tight end, and running back. Returning juniors Asa Wall and Abe Gainous will lead the linebacker room, with Wall also returning at tight end and junior Malek Dorsey looking to be the Trojans’ lockdown corner.
Javaris “Duke” Hurt, Jamel Cooper, and former GMC Prep Bulldog Cayden Wingfield will round out the running back room, with Wall contributing as a wildcat running back and Gainous also helping out at fullback.
The Trojans begin preseason practices in Milledgeville at the end of July.