MILLEDGEVILLE, GA – Friday night may not have gone as well as the John Milledge Trojans (2-0) wanted, but their 2017 home opener still resulted in a 24-0 win over Trinity Christian.

The win marks the program’s 16th in a row and third consecutive shutout dating back to last season. The JMA offense scored all of its 24 points in the first half punctuated by a 65-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Bellflower to Caleb Rogers with about 30 seconds remaining in the second quarter. The Trojans would not need any more points, but head coach J.T. Wall still would liked to have seen more from his offense in the second half. Wall admitted some of that blame should be placed on the coaching staff and not just the players alone. 

“The second half was a combination of mistakes on our part both players and coaches and a great defensive game plan by Coach [Jimmy] Fields and his staff,” he said. “We never got in a rhythm, and I think it really started in the second quarter and we let it carry over into the second half.”

The defense continued its stout play from Week 1 led by twins Jacob and Jared Prestwood (18 and nine tackles, respectively) as well as senior defensive back Brandon Hunnicutt, who added seven tackles and an interception. Wall said he’s happy to lean on his so-far outstanding defense while he works out the kinks with the offense in practice this week.

“As a team we are definitely playing some great defense right now and we are going to have to lean on that defense until our offense turns it around,” said Wall. “But we are making some corrections on offense and learning from our mistakes both as players and coaches.”

John Milledge welcomes the Piedmont Academy Cougars (0-2) from Monticello this week as the Trojans look to remain undefeated while the visitors try to get in the win column for the first time in 2017. The Cougars fell to Bethlehem Christian Academy 27-0 in Week 1 and lost to Loganville Christian 13-6 after holding the lead for much of last week’s contest. Wall said his team needs to focus this week on defending the connection between Cougar quarterback Tate Marks and tight end J.T. Webb. Last season’s meeting in Monticello between John Milledge and Piedmont ended 42-6 in the Trojans’ favor.    

“Coach Wes Tanner has always played JMA tough in the past and he has a way of getting his players jacked up to play us,” Wall said. “They have some playmakers in their tight end and quarterback on offense that we have to be aware of. On the defensive side of the ball he gives multiple looks and loves to bring pressure.”

Pressure should be something the Trojans are prepared for after the Trinity defense routinely lined eight or more guys up on the line of scrimmage last Friday night. Bellflower was kept clean for the most part, but some botched exchanges between him and the center added to the second-half offensive woes.

JMA sustained a few injuries last Friday night in running back Tyrese Jackson and defensive back Hunter Moody. Wall called them “game-time decisions” when asked about their status for Friday night. 

Kickoff between the Trojans and the Cougars is set for 8 p.m. at John Milledge Academy.