JMA upset attempt spoiled by two late Tattnall TDs
Published 11:14 pm Friday, October 18, 2024
MACON – The John Milledge Academy football team wound up on the wrong end of two fourth-quarter lead changes at Tattnall Square Friday.
JMA (0-3 region, 1-8 overall) got a touchdown run out of the wildcat from freshman Asa Wall to go up 17-14 with just under eight minutes remaining in the game. Playing without its top athlete in senior Antone Johnson, Tattnall Square (3-0, 7-1) posted a big answer with a 66-yard touchdown pass only a minute or so later. Following a John Milledge turnover on downs, the host Trojans tacked on another TD to cement the 28-17 victory.
John Milledge head coach JT Wall has been saying this season that the final scores in his team’s games have not always been indicative of the effort his players have given. That effort showed both on the field and on the scoreboard Friday night as his Trojans came within minutes of pulling off what would have been a major upset against the No. 4 team in 4A.
“We ran out of bullets, ran out of gas,” the head coach said. “We felt like last week versus FPD we played a good quarter and about two minutes. Tonight we felt like we played a good three and a half quarters. We squandered some opportunities in the first half. Could’ve been up more than we were with the way the defense was causing turnovers.”
That JMA defense was the star early, forcing four Tattnall Square turnovers in the first two quarters alone. Junior Bradyn Harrison snagged an interception midway through the opening period, and his return set up what would be the freshman Wall’s first touchdown of the night. Many heads around the GIAA likely turned quickly when they saw it was the John Milledge Trojans, not the Tattnall Square Trojans, leading 7-0 with three minutes left in the first quarter.
Things continued looking up for the visitors as junior defensive back Bryce McDonel posted his team’s second interception with Tattnall Square driving late in the first. That added possession didn’t immediately produce points as JMA was forced to punt, but the kick was muffed by the Tattnall Square return man and recovered by Ryan Murphey at the opposing 28. The drive resulted in a short field goal off the foot of Jacob Noles, making it 10-0 John Milledge with eight minutes left in the half.
The host team got on the board soon after. Quarterback Caden Faulk threw a short pass to senior wideout Ty Hunnicutt, who covered the remaining 45 yards from there to bring his team to within three following the extra point.
The contenders traded interceptions before the half was finished. McDonel grabbed hold of his second pick, and JMA drove down deep into Tattnall Square territory before tossing its own interception to hold the score at 10-7 in favor of the visiting Trojans at halftime.
Tattnall Square took a 14-10 lead late in the third before Asa Wall’s go-ahead rushing touchdown with about eight minutes left in the game. The Trojans of Macon got their quick answer to go back up 21-17 on another long catch and run by Hunnicutt. That was followed by one more six-pointer for insurance, and JMA could muster nothing else on offense as time slipped away.
“I’m still super proud of the way the guys played,” Wall said. “You could kind of see a little more bounce in their step when we scored early to go up. I’m proud they’re playing the way they’re playing.”
Asa Wall had both John Milledge touchdowns on the night while McDonel finished with his pair of picks.
Tattnall Square’s Hunnicutt totaled three touchdowns receiving to lead the TSA Trojans.
With the loss and just one regular season game remaining, John Milledge is hoping to hang on to its GIAA Class AAA No. 8 ranking that would be just enough to get into the state playoffs. The JMA Trojans’ regular season finale is next Friday at home against a 3-6 Mount de Sales squad.