>> JOHN MILLEDGE ACADEMY
John Milledge Academy rushed for over 300 yards in a 56-7 victory over First Presbyterian Day (2-6, 1-0) on Friday night in Macon.
The Trojans were led by the usual suspects - quarterback Briggs Eady and running back Javian Butts - as their rushing attack totaled 334 yards in the lop-sided win over the Vikings.
Butts carried the ball 13 times for a total of 113 yards and two TDs. Eady also racked up 105 yards on 10 attempts with three rushing scores. Baylen Zielinski reached the end zone twice as well and totaled 55 yards on five carries.
JMA imposed its will early, scoring 42 first-half points and shutting out FPD in the process.
The Trojans wasted no time and scored quickly. Butts broke off for a long run and Eady then scored from the 1-yard line a few plays later. They led 7-0 with 8:43 left in the first quarter.
JMA’s defense stood tall, as it has done a lot this season, on FPD’s first drive. Banks Eady came up with a fumble recovery, giving the sideline a jolt of excitement.
The Trojans got the ball back and struck again on the ensuing possession. Eady hit Zielinksi over the middle for a long passing gain and then scored on a 36-yard rush.
The Vikings’ offense stalled out on the next drive, giving the ball back to John Milledge. The Trojans then put together another scoring drive, but this time Butts reached the end zone on a seven-yard rush, which gave them a 21-0 lead after Jacob Noles’ PAT.
FPD never could find an offensive rhythm in the contest. The Vikings went for it on fourth down on the next possession, although they were stopped short by John Milledge.
Zielinksi finally got his chance to score on the Trojans’ next offensive series. His 18-yard rushing score gave JMA a 28-0 advantage with eight minutes left in the half.
Eady’s final rushing TD came later in the quarter on a 25-yard scamper. His effort gave the Trojans a 35-0 lead following Noles’ next PAT, but the offense wasn’t done yet.
A Jalan Butts’ INT gave JMA’s offense the ball back with under a minute left. He returned the pick to the FPD 29-yard line. The Trojans moved the ball fluidly and Zielinksi scored the final JMA TD of the first half a few plays later from the 1-yard line.
Trojans’ backup quarterback Kolt McMichael took over for Eady in the second half. He led the John Milledge offense to score twice more before the end of the game.
In the third quarter, McMichael stood tall in the pocket, delivering a ball to Zielinksi for a long passing connection, which set up Butts to score his final TD of the game a few plays later. He then hit Butts for a chunk gain in the final quarter of regulation. That led to freshman running back Carsyn Baker scoring from 32 yards out.
The Vikings’ lone TD came late in the contest with just under three minutes remaining. JMA’s defense was stout, holding FPD to just 201 yards of total offense.
Senior Tanner Humphrey totaled a team-high 10 tackles, followed by junior Blake Bellflower with nine stops. The Trojans’ defense was able to effectively get to the Vikings’ quarterback all night, racking up five sacks in the process.
John Milledge’s next game is this Friday at home against Mount de Sales Academy (2-6, 0-3). The Cavaliers are coming off a 41-14 non-region loss to Stratford Academy.