Ross Couch
The John Milledge Academy varsity football team earned a playoff spot on the last day of the regular season Friday, dominating Central Fellowship 54-0 on Senior Night.
The Trojans scored early, often and seemingly at will in the first half, putting up 48 points before the break. JMA rushed for more than 400 yards on the night, led by Danny White’s nine carries for 127 yards.
JMA’s opening drive set the tone for the rest of the game, as the Trojans ran the ball four times for 59 yards on the drive. Danny White capped off the series with a 7-yard touchdown run.
Jase Stubbs put the Trojans up 14-0 on JMA’s second possession, ending a 34-yard drive with a score. Landon NeSmith capped off a 48-yard, six-play drive on the Trojans’ next possession for the 21-0 JMA lead.
Central Fellowship’s offense never got going in the first half, but the defense had at least one bright spot. With the Trojans driving deep into Eagle Lancer territory, a Central defender picked off a Thomas Smith pass in the end zone for a touchback.
The stop was short-lived, however, as NeSmith picked off a Lancer pass to start a 95-yard, six-play drive that ended in a 45-yard touchdown run by White to make it 28-0.
Central tried to get a bit of offense going on their next possession, but the Trojan defense had other plans, stripping the ball from the quarterback. JMA proceeded to drive 29 yards on three plays with Cord Grimes running it in from 10 yards out for the 35-0 lead.
Ben Prestwood recovered another Lancer fumble and returned it 50 yards for the score with 34 seconds left in the half. The second quarter ended with JMA up 48-0.
JMA head coach Ken Johnson pulled his starters after the break. John Giovanetti started the half by returning the kickoff out to JMA 49. From there, the Trojans drove 51 yards and scored on a Cole Breiner 12-yard run.
Neither team scored for the remainder of the contest, and John Milledge is headed to the playoffs. The opening game of the GISA state tournament begins Nov. 16. An opponent has not been announced.
Sports Editor Ross Couch can be reached at (478) 453-1465 or sports@unionrecorder.com
