Trojans set to start region play vs. Stratford
Oct. 10—It may seem strange to say the season has been tough sledding for a 6-0 team, but that's what it feels like for John Milledge Academy football.
The Trojans have been hit by their fair share of injuries and maybe even more, especially considering that their roster sat at 35 players pre-injuries. Multiple guys are facing multiple-week maladies — some season-long — so the second open week was definitely a welcomed sight to give those players with hopes of returning time to get healthy.
"We had an open week; we needed an open month," Wall said. "Still need some more time for some of these guys to heal up, but all in all the off week was good. The guys are locked in and ready for the region schedule."
Having been down a starting quarterback in Kolt McMichael, a linebacker/tight end in David Todd, and more, resilience may be this 2023 team's defining characteristic if it finishes this season the way the last four did.
"They know there's a huge game of fruit basket turnover where if one guy goes down then this guy has got to know that position," said Wall. "Most of these guys have got to know multiple spots now. They're finally understanding what we call the essence of the play and why it's run."
Their knowledge will be put to the test this week when the Trojans host the Stratford Academy Eagles (0-1 region, 4-3 overall) in the region opener. In its first year back in the Georgia Independent Athletic Association last year, Stratford finished as the 4A state runner-up behind St. Anne-Pacelli. Before that, during the regular season, John Milledge edged the Eagles 21-7 in Macon. Leading 14-7 late, the Trojan defense got a clutch defensive play when a backwards pass was batted down, scooped up, and returned for a touchdown to bring the game to its final score. It was only John Milledge's second win in six tries against Stratford and kicked off a four-game sweep of the Macon private schools.
This year, the Eagles came out of the gate hot with a three-game winning streak, but they have since dropped three of their last four. That's including last week's 34-7 home loss at the hands of Tattnall Square Academy. Stratford was down 14-0 at the half and never regained that lost ground.
"They're solid," the JMA head coach said of Stratford. "I don't think the score versus Tattnall is indicative of who they are. It kind of got away from them there in the second half, but they're coached up really well. They can keep the ball away from you in that wing T offense they run. They're using a bunch of different guys, so it makes it hard to key in on one guy. Defensively, they like to pack the box and send heat, so we've got to see what's coming and make the right adjustments."
Wall's team will try to clip the Eagles' wing T attack when they come to Milledgeville later this week. Kickoff between John Milledge and Stratford is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday.
