Trojans escape Westfield with 14-10 win

Published 11:29 pm Friday, September 21, 2018

PERRY — The John Milledge Academy football team had its mettle tested Friday, but was able to remain undefeated (5-0) after doing just enough to win its road matchup at former region foe Westfield.

The Trojans scored the go-ahead touchdown with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to earn the 14-10 victory over the Hornets.

“They had a great defensive game plan, and offensively, especially in the second half, they were just grinding and pounding to keep the ball away from us,” JMA head coach J.T. Wall said in summarizing Westfield’s performance. “We took some shots that we didn’t hit on, and if we would have it’s a lot different ballgame. Hats off to them because they played a great game, but to our guys’ credit they found a way. We always tell them as bad as it is or as good as it is you’ve got to find a way to win. We saw a lot of young kids grow up tonight, and a lot of senior leadership staring adversity in the face.”

John Milledge struck first and held a 7-0 lead for much of the first half, but the Hornets were able to get on the board late in the second to bring the game to a 7-7 tie. A second-half Westfield field goal put the home team ahead, but the Trojan offense answered the call in crunch time. JMA senior quarterback Brandon Bellflower found Taylor Dixon for a big gain to put the Trojans in position for a short touchdown pass to Jared Prestwood to put the team up 14-10 with less than two minutes to play. 

Westfield got the ball back with time to go ahead, and things looked dire for John Milledge after a long quarterback scramble put the Hornets deep in Trojan territory. Wall’s defense stood tall and forced the Hornets backwards into an eventual fourth-and-long situation with only 15 seconds to go. The ball was knocked from the Westfield quarterback’s hand and called an incomplete pass before the Trojans were able to kneel out the victory and earn their fifth consecutive win to open the season. 

The John Milledge football team is off next week before welcoming Bulloch Academy to town for an Oct. 5 matchup.