John Milledge Returns to the Big Stage: Trojans Aim for First State Title Since 2022

John Milledge rides late-season surge into GIAA AAA State championship rematch with Deerfield-Windsor

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – Week 15 of the high school football season brings a loaded slate across Georgia, including a state championship showdown at Five Star Stadium – and John Milledge Academy is right back in the hunt for glory.

The Trojans, sitting at 11-1 and fresh off another region crown, have stormed their way back into the title picture just one year removed from a disappointing 2–9 campaign. Under longtime head coach J.T. Wall, the program has rebuilt quickly, returning to the stage it dominated from 2019–2022.

Now, they’re one win from reclaiming the trophy for the sixth time in school history.

JMA is playing its best football at the perfect time, averaging 36 points per game and scoring more than 90 across two playoff victories. Defensively, the Trojans have been just as dominant, allowing only 11 points per game this season, and just seven total points over the last two weeks.

Wall said the rapid turnaround and late-season surge have been fueled by strong senior leadership.

“You know, it’s kind of hard to describe it… when you have a season going the way we have one going this year… you blink and all of a sudden it’s our last game, state championship,” Wall said. “It’s been a really, really fast season. And just can’t say enough about the senior leadership we’ve had.”

Still, Wall believes there’s another gear his team can reach heading into Friday’s GIAA Class AAA championship against undefeated defending champion Deerfield-Windsor.

“We feel like we still haven’t played our best game… hopefully this week we can string four good ones together,” he said. “Deerfield’s undefeated, the defending champs. They know the drill. We’re not gonna surprise them with anything.”

One of those senior leaders, wideout and defensive standout Bryce McDonel, has been at the heart of the team’s resurgence. McDonel has totaled 550 receiving yards, eight touchdowns, a fumble recovery, an interception, and a punt block – production he says reflects the team’s renewed belief following last year’s struggles.

“Surprising. I mean, coming off a 2–9 record last year and then bouncing back to a 10–1 record… It’s incredible how much this team has developed,” McDonel said. “It’s satisfying to see everyone playing outstanding.”

The Trojans will need another complete effort Friday against a Deerfield-Windsor team seeking back-to-back state titles. The matchup marks the first meeting between the programs since the 2022 championship game, when JMA claimed the win.

With the title game set less than an hour from Milledgeville at Mercer University, Wall hopes a heavy hometown crowd provides one more boost.

“It’s a blessing to be practicing right now… hopefully we have a big crowd,” Wall said. “Every possession is going to be important – offense, defense, special teams. We can’t take anything for granted.”

McDonel echoed the urgency.

“It means a lot to be in the state championship… playing a really sound offensive and defensive team,” he said. “We’ve got to be locked in every single play. I want to play my best game ever.”

The Trojans lead the all-time series 4-1-1 entering the seventh meeting, and a win Friday would deliver their fifth victory in the matchup – and a long-awaited return to the top of GIAA football. Kickoff between the John Milledge Trojans and the Deerfield-Windsor Knights is scheduled for 7:30 p.m Friday at Five Star Stadium, on the campus of Mercer University. Catch highlights from this game, along with others from the night, on The Endzone during 41NBC News at 11 p.m. Tune into pregame coverage live from Anderson Field Friday during 41NBC News at 5, 5:30, and 6 p.m.