Hobbled Trojans to hit the road again

Published 8:34 am Wednesday, August 28, 2024

John Milledge football may have gotten its first win last week, but the 1-1 Trojans are looking at significant personnel losses heading into their week three matchup.

JMA head coach JT Wall wasn’t sure exactly how many players he’ll be down when his team heads to Chula to face Tiftarea later this week, but he did employ some imagery to get the point across.

“It’s the walking wounded over here,” Wall said. “We knew that depth was an issue going into this year, so we had to avoid injuries. We have not. It’s almost like it’s something else every day. That’s how this year is rolling. We’ve got to make the best of it. The next guy’s got to step up and find a way to win. Nobody we play is going to feel sorry for us.”

The Trojans won’t be receiving any sympathy cards because they have, for the most part, run roughshod over their entire league in recent history. Among the teams not offering condolences are this week’s opponent in the Tiftarea Panthers (2-0)

Every meeting between the programs has been in the state playoffs, and every meeting has gone John Milledge’s way, including semifinal stompings in 2019 and 2021 along with a quarterfinal quelling last season.

The Panthers on Friday will try to exact some revenge and secure their first 3-0 start to a season since 2019.

“They’re very well coached and very physical,” Wall said of head coach Erik Soliday’s Tiftarea team. “They were junior-heavy when we saw them in the playoffs last year. That mean’s they’re senior-heavy now and have added a few pieces.”

Offensively, senior QB John Robert Walker is what makes TA go. He’s a good thrower with six touchdowns and no interceptions through two games, and can run too as he has the team’s most rushing yards.

“If you don’t stop the quarterback he’ll run it 40 times a game, but you can’t sell the farm and load the box on him because he’s got a great arm and one of the best receivers we’ve seen all year,” added Wall.

Walker’s classmate John Jackson is the top target with 229 yards and three receiving touchdowns in wins over Central Fellowship (48-0) and Turner County (34-20).

Wall said success this week starts with guys stepping up quickly into the roles usually held by the injured players.

“We’ve got some guys playing new positions this week,” he said. “I think the quicker we can adapt to what’s going on and everybody settles into where they’re playing, the better we’ll be.”

The head coach/playcaller would also like to see his team get off to a faster start offensively. The Trojans, known for always receiving the opening kick when they win the coin toss and turning the first possession into points, have mustered only six points in the first half this season.

John Milledge will try to improve on that stat in Friday’s 7:30 p.m. kick at Tiftarea.