John Milledge, Gatewood dominate their way to easy GISA state titles

GISA

Finals

Class AAA

John Milledge 62, Valwood 19

          Suspense? Not much, except how many points the Trojans would score and by how much would they win.
          The Trojans lost 48-0 in this game a year ago, to Frederica, and turned the tables on Valwood to win their second title in four seasons and complete their second perfect season in the same span.

          An almost humorous – for John Milledge – note is that the Trojans actually trailed, after a touchdown pass.

          Then Amaad Foston scored from a yard out, twice. And then from the 4. And then from the 5, and then from the 3, sprinkling in big plays along they.

          It was 27-6 at halftime and Foston had five touchdowns before Valwood scored again to pull within 35-13

          And then Foston scored from 26 yards out, and then 51. Justin Aldridge, one of the many players on defense who had stepped up throughout a season of injuries, returned a fumble for a score.

          And then Foston scored from a yard out.

          The junior standout scored eight times and ran for 423 yards on 41 carries, storming past 2,000 yards for the year.

          Marcus Prestwood picked off two passes for the Trojans, who helped force seven turnovers.

Photo: GISA

Class AA

Gatewood 49, Briarwood 7
          The Gators took the suspense out early – and often – and forced a running clock with a 49-0 halftime lead to defend their title by cracking 60 points for the fifth time this season and second time in the playoffs.

          Standout running back Walt Jarrett got the rout started early, taking the opening kickoff the distance. That started the Gators toward a 28-0 lead after one.

          Gatewood (12-2) defended its title, won 51-17 over Terrell last year, which followed a Class AAA semifinal loss in 2017, 38-21 to Trinity Christian.

          The Gators have two state titles, a runner-up, and a semifinal trip under Ratliff, who took over in 2013.