MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — John Milledge Academy boys soccer scoring records are in the process of being shattered.

And the culprit is only a junior.

Striker Jackson Roberts broke both the school’s single season and career scoring records with his five-goal performance against region opponent Westfield Friday. Roberts currently sits at 26 goals for his career (the record was 21 set by Riley Denton last year) and 19 in this season alone (the previous record was 15 set by Brandon Panfil in 2014). Soccer records have been kept at John Milledge since the Georgia Independent Schools Association moved the sport from the fall to the spring in 2013.

“It’s crazy,” Roberts told The Union-Recorder at practice Monday. “I didn’t think I’d ever get there, and it’s pretty unbelievable that I did. … It’s been a matter of having good teammates and not having what I had before. More of the scoring burden falls on my shoulders than with the teammates I used to have, but it’s also because of my teammates for getting me the ball every time.”

The junior said he doesn’t feel any added pressure from carrying the scoring burden, he’s just having a great time on the field with his teammates playing the game he loves. Like most standouts, Roberts’ increased scoring output is due to the amount of extra hard work he puts in, according to fifth-year JMA boys soccer coach Cody Mahler. 

“To see Jackson break the record as a junior is awesome because I’ve known him since he was in sixth or seventh grade,” the head coach said. “It couldn’t have happened to a better kid. He works really hard and takes it extremely personal. He’s early to practice and stays late afterward working on his game. He’s done everything he’s needed to do to get to this point.”

Mahler also believes a greater commitment to the game of soccer has played a big role in his playmaker achieving this recent milestone.

“I think what’s been different about this year for him specifically was that he made the commitment and sacrifice to start playing travel ball down in Warner Robins,” Mahler said. “I’ve seen his game develop so tremendously. He’s developed a left foot, he’s become more aware of the field, and what really sets him apart is his ability to finish this year.”

Roberts’ five-goal performance in the Trojans’ 9-0 win over Westfield marked the third time in his career where he scored that many times in a single outing. He has without a doubt been the go-to guy whenever John Milledge needs a goal. Whenever his teammates are able to get him the ball from the defensive end Roberts is able to zip down the other side and become an immediate scoring threat.

“He’s been able to utilize his speed — he’s either the second or third fastest guy we’ve got in the school and he can use that speed on the ball,” said Mahler. “He doesn’t slow down at all. I think the biggest thing this year is him being able to drop the ball back and trust in Jaskaran [Brar] and Hunter Noles and guys like that to distribute and find the channels for him to get in to find the back of the net.”

The Trojans currently carry a 4-0 record in region play with a pair of tough region contests remaining. They will travel to Augusta Prep tomorrow and Westminster Tuesday to try and lock down a high playoff seed. JMA will close out the regular season April 30 at home against Trinity Christian-Dublin, leaving three games plus the state playoffs for Roberts to do plenty more scoring damage this season. His main objective for the remainder of the year has nothing to do with himself though, and everything to do with the team achieving something none of the current members have accomplished in their varsity careers.

“We really want to get into the second round of the state playoffs,” Roberts said. “Any further would be great, but that’s the goal.”