MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — This year’s roster may look different from the one that went undefeated and won state last year, but the reloaded 2017 John Milledge Academy Trojans (3-0) have yet to find an opponent to really challenge them this season. 

The program has won its last 17 contests and pitched a shutout through three games this season, outscoring opponents 117-0. Last week’s 56-0 shutout of Piedmont Academy made four in a row for the reigning state champs as the offense really picked up the pace from the week before, scoring all 56 points in the first half before letting the JV take the field in the second. Quarterback Brandon Bellflower threw for 142 yards and four touchdowns on 7-of-10 passing with Caleb Rogers as his main target. The senior wide receiver caught four balls for 104 yards three scores. Joining Rogers on the hat trick train was freshman running back Amaad Foston, who rushed for 136 yards on 16 carries (8.5 yards per carry) while filling in for Tyrese Jackson. Justin Aldridge led the way for the JMA defense with seven tackles while keeping the Cougars out of the end zone in the second half. 

“I really think they just went out there and did their job Friday night,” JMA head coach J.T. Wall said. “We had a lot to clean up from the previous week, and I thought they did a good job of addressing those issues. We still aren’t where we need to be but we are getting there.”

This week the Trojans will hit the road for the second time this season, albeit just a short trip to Sandersville to take on the Brentwood School War Eagles (0-2). The GISA AA school fell to Gatewood 34-0 in its opener and dropped its second game 39-7 against Trinity Christian (Dublin) at home. Coach Wall said Brentwood’s low scoring output is not indicative of a lackluster offense, as the unit has moved the ball but has been unable to cash in.

“Any given team can beat us on any given night,” Wall said. “Sure they’ve not scored many points this year, but they have had a lot of success moving the football and they just haven’t caught many breaks, whether it be penalties or turnovers stopping their drives.”

Brentwood is under the leadership of longtime head coach Bert Brown, who has his offense running the Wing-T. The Eagles will try to create holes and seams for its shifty quarterback in a Trojan defense that has been not-so-holey thus far in 2017. On defense Brentwood figures to play multiple fronts and bring pressure from all over the field, according to Wall. The Trojans’ head coach said his starting running back in Jackson will be a game-time decision for Friday night’s contest, so Foston may be the primary ball carrier once again. The senior starter Jackson had amassed almost 300 yards through less than two games before sustaining a minor leg injury against Trinity in Week 2.

Kickoff between John Milledge and Brentwood is set for 8 p.m., the last such start time for the Trojans this season, in Sandersville.