John Milledge Looks to Extend Home Winning Streak Against Brentwood on Senior Night

The 4-1 John Milledge Academy Trojans face the 5-0 Brentwood War Eagles in Milledgeville for the 52nd all-time matchup

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – Two GIAA championship-winning programs meet Friday night as the John Milledge Academy Trojans host the Brentwood War Eagles at Ted Smith Stadium in a matchup filled with history, rivalry, and friendship.

The Trojans, now 4-1 under 15th-year head coach J.T. Wall, are working to move past last season and regain the championship form that carried them to four state titles in six straight title game appearances earlier this decade.

So far this season, John Milledge has scored 186 points while allowing just 59. Despite graduating seven seniors, another senior group has stepped up, including defensive end Cohen Brooks, wide receiver and former quarterback Bryce McDonel, and newcomer quarterback Lewis Chaney.

The Trojans will also look to avenge last year’s 33-6 loss to Brentwood in Sandersville, their first defeat in the series since 2013. Friday’s matchup also marks their 13th straight home game and comes on Senior Night.

The game carries added significance for the two head coaches, Wall and Brentwood’s Adam Lord, best friends who are meeting for just the third time as leaders of their programs. Their connection runs deep: the last time John Milledge lost this game in Milledgeville was in 1997, when Wall was a senior fullback for the Trojans and Lord was the War Eagles’ quarterback.

“The number one thing right now is we’re kind of avoiding the injury bug that hit us right square in the mouth last year,” Wall said. “It forced us to play a bunch of young guys, and this is one of the benefits from it. These guys are responding well, and we hope this gets us ready for November.”

McDonel said the team’s chemistry has made the difference this fall. “We’re just trying to stay consistent. We’re trying to stay a chemistry-based team, like we’re all lifting each other up,” he said. “That’s the main thing we did not have last year.”

Brooks added that the team is eager to prove itself against its longtime rival. “It’s a big one. It’s always good to beat them. Last year didn’t go so good for us. I think the whole team’s hungry for a win against them.”

Wall knows the challenge ahead. “It don’t matter if I’m playing my mom, my dad, my sister, I’m gonna try to beat them,” he said. “Same thing with Adam. He does a great job over there. They always play us tough, and he’s got a really good squad this year.”

As the Trojans prepare for the 52nd all-time meeting between the schools, they will aim for their 35th win in the series and keep their home winning streak alive on a night dedicated to their seniors. Kickoff between Brentwood and John Milledge is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Ted Smith Stadium. Catch highlights from this game and more during Friday’s edition of The End Zone on 41NBC News at 11 p.m.