On Nov. 30, Frederica Academy destroyed John Milledge Academy (JMA) in the GISA 3A Football State Championship. The Knights routed the previously unbeaten Trojans 48-0. However, one fact went unmentioned in that opening sentence: The game was played in 2018. Remarkably, John Milledge Academy hasn’t lost since.
It’s hard to believe this relentless JMA program went 0-10 in 2009. The Trojans scored less than 50 points that entire season, and set several school records for ineptitude. That changed with the hiring of first-time head coach J.T. Wall, who immediately turned the Trojans into a competitive force, although not yet one that could finish in the playoffs. In fact, Wall’s Trojans lost in the semifinals four straight years.
2016 marked the first breakthrough, as John Milledge won its first state title with a 14-0 campaign that featured six shutouts. Only two opponents came within a score of the Trojans. This landmark season set the tone for the upcoming years, including a 2018 finals run that ended at the hands of the aforementioned Frederica Academy Knights.
In 2019, the streak of utter dominance began. The Trojans went 13-0 and demolished the Valwood School 62-19 in the state championship. Junior running back Amaad Foston rushed for a whopping 2,772 yards and 46 touchdowns, earning him recognition from several schools nationwide.
Even with Foston hurt for his senior campaign, the Trojans raked in 11 wins and a 49-0 state title blowout of Frederica, due in large part to a overwhelming defense that allowed only 27 points all year. JMA didn’t stop in 2021 either, adding 12 more wins, no losses, and another lopsided state championship victory, this time with a precision passing offense that only turned the ball over once.
Throughout this run, questions arose regarding JMA’s strength of schedule. Could they compete in the GHSA? Is their dominance solely due to play in an “inferior” association?
Admittedly, the Trojans have played only one GHSA opponent in the last four years. In 2020, 1A-Private’s Savannah Christian went 10-2 and lost in the quarterfinals to Wesleyan. Only one team managed to defeat the Raiders: John Milledge Academy. And they didn’t just defeat Savannah Christian; they outclassed the Raiders on every front and rolled to a 52-13 victory. JMA asserted its will once again this past season, defeating the Raiders 40-7 in the rematch.
Despite a small sample size, the Trojans appear to be more than capable of handling talented GHSA competition.
John Milledge Academy’s win streak currently sits at 36 games. They have outscored their opponents 1,530 to 174, scoring over 56 points for every touchdown they allow. So far, no team has been able to challenge the Trojans. No matter the setback, the Trojans have always found a way to push forward, through a star running back’s injury or the loss of a talented defensive senior class. It certainly will be interesting to see if John Milledge Academy can continue its dominant run in 2022.
