When two highly-ranked programs filled with first-class Georgia high school football players face off in the playoffs, you can expect a titanic matchup. And when the Lee County Trojans travel to Milton to face the top-5 nationally-ranked Eagles in a semifinal matchup, it might as well be a state championship game.
You don’t get any better football than this.
The game will be broadcast live on the Peachtree Sports Network starting at 7:30 p.m., and digitally on Atlanta News First, ZEAM and the National Federation High School Network.
The game is between two of the final five undefeated teams in the state with the Trojans and the Eagles lining up across from one another for the first time in history. Both programs are looking to remain perfect as they both look to keep their first undefeated seasons in program history alive. The game will feature seven 4-star recruits and six 3-stars with a handful of future stars that have been showcasing their talents all season.
With the plethora of talent on the field, both programs are nationally ranked for their performances this season in the MaxPreps Top 25 High School Football Rankings. Milton has been ranked the entire season and currently sit at No. 2 in the country. Lee County just recently entered the top-25 at the final spot in national rankings. The Eagles are coming off a 42-point victory over Houston County where they took down the Bears 56-14 in the Class 5A quarterfinals and are facing a Lee County team coming off of a 64-0 shutout victory over Sprayberry.
Both programs are no strangers to the big stage.
The Milton Eagles are two-time state champions, winning in 2018 as well as being the reigning GHSA Class 7A state champions after defeating Walton 31-21 a year ago under head coach Ben Reaves. Lee County has won two state championships as the Trojans won back-to-back Class 6A state championships in 2017 and 2018 under head coach Dean Fabrizio who enters his 16th season in the program.
Lee County is as battle-tested as it gets and has remained perfect on the season even with a tough 2024 schedule. The Trojans have had five ranked matchups this season with games against programs such as Warner Robins, Hapeville Charter, Colquitt County, Thomas County Central and Coffee all resulting in victories. The Trojans outscored opponents 241-106 in those ranked matchups this season with the undefeated Eagles now looming in the semifinals with a state championship berth on the line.
“Well we are battle-tested for sure and I know Milton is too,” said Fabrizio. “ That’s why this is the matchup people have been talking about for a long time.”
The Trojans are entering their sixth ranked-matchup of the season when they kickoff against Milton and will be bringing down the an offense that is the highest scoring unit in the state, averaging over 55 points a game and has scored a whopping 717 points through 13 games on the season, totaling over 6,000 yards of offense.
The Trojans offense is powered by Georgia 4-star running back commit Ousmane Kromah who has continued to have a sensational senior season. The Bulldogs-commit has rushed for over 1,200 yards (8.9 ypc) and added over 600 yards through the air, reaching the endzone a total of 23. Kromah shows a great blend of size and speed that will translate seamlessly to SEC football next year.
Kromah has been on the Mr. Georgia Football Watchlist all-season long as he has continued to produce jaw-dropping highlights and stats that the Trojan-faithful have come to know and love. Stopping Kromah and this Lee County offense will be one of the toughest tasks the Milton defense will face this season.
“The thing about him is that he is a complete player,” said Fabrizio. He’s great at running the ball but also a terrific receiver for us and an underrated blocker. It’s so great having an all-around player like him that you can do so much with.”
Leading the Trojans high-powered offense is Georgia Southern-commit quarterback Weston Bryan who has commanded a terrific offensive unit for Lee County. Bryan has tallied over 2,300 yards through the air while adding another 1,200 yards on the ground while being responsible for 59 touchdowns on the season. Bryan and Kromah have been a huge part as to why this Lee County team has been playing at a high-level all season long.
The leading receiver for the Trojans, sophomore Jaden Upshaw has been tremendous on the outside for Lee County this season and has proved to become Bryan’s top target. Upshaw has totaled over 800 yards through the air on over 60 reception and has caught 11 touchdowns this season for the Trojans. Upshaw and Kromah have been big players in the pass game for Lee County as they both sit at the top two on the team in receiving yards this season.
Bryan and Kromah lead an explosive Lee County offense that contains numerous playmakers ready to make their mark on the game at any moment. The offense is responsible for over 120 touchdowns on the season, showing a good blend of a ground and air attack that have made them so dangerous this season.
The Trojans defense is led by a Class of 2025 defensive lineman Florida-commit, Jeremiah McCloud who leads an impressive front for Lee County. The future Gator has totaled 45 total tackles as well as 11 tackles for loss on the season as well as adding a pick-six of his own. The senior’s 6-foot-3, 285-pound frame has become a force off the edge this season for Lee County as his play style should translate very well to SEC Football next season.
Leading the backend of the Trojan defense is a pair of defensive backs in junior Lasiah Jackson and senior free safety Jacori White have commanded the secondary. The two have combined for five interceptions and over 50 tackles, making it hard to throw on them at any point in the game.
The two leading tacklers for the Trojans are linebackers Greg Batson and Justyn Tanksley. Batson, a sophomore, leads the team with 85 total tackles to go along with six sacks and 24 tackles. Tanksley has added 38 total tackles and 10 tackles for loss on the season.
The reigning champion Milton Eagles are everything they are advertised to be. With an influx of talent all over the field, it’s hard to not look at this team as one of the best in the state, and they will look to prove that on Friday night at the Eagle’s Nest.
In his third year under center for the Eagles, Miami-commit, 4-star quarterback Luke Nickel has remained exceptional commanding the Eagles offense. Throwing for over 3,000 yards and over 30 touchdown passes on a 66% completion percentage. Having the playmakers around him that he does certainly helps, but the three-year starter has continued to lead one of the top offensive units in the country.
Leading the receiver room for Milton is a pair of Georgia-commits, C.J Wiley and Ethan Barbour. The two have combined for over 1,600 receiving yards, with Wiley leading the team with almost 900 yards through the air. With 21 touchdowns combined on the season, Wiley and Barbour have continued to show the country why they are one of the top wideout duos in high school football in the country. Along with the two Georgia-commits, Tristen Payne and Auburn-commit, tight end Ryan Ghea have been suitable receivers as well for the Eagles.
With 24 touchdowns on the season, recent West Georgia-commit, T.J. Lester leads the team in finding the endzone this season and like his teammates, continues to perform at a high-level, leading the Eagles rushing attack. Lester has added 100 receiving yards along with two receiving touchdowns on the season.
Up front, Brayden Jacobs leads an impressive Eagles offensive line that has only allowed five sacks on the season. The senior Clemson-commit leads a veteran group along with seniors Derek Scott II, JP Katzmark and Garrett Heinecke along with junior Madden Mones, the group has continued to show their progress and play as a cohesive unit.
As good as the Milton offense has played this season, the Eagles defense has shown just how talented they are as well. Milton’s defense has held its opponents to just 10 points per game, continuing to dominate on that side of the ball.
The Eagles have forced over 20 turnovers on the season, but face their toughest challenge yet when Lee County comes to town this week.
The leading tackler on the Milton defense, linebacker Hayden Tumminia, has flown under the radar from most college scouts as he has continued to have an impressive senior season. The senior has totaled 108 total tackles on the season to go along with 10 tackles for loss and four sacks. With as much talent that is on the Milton defense, Tumminia has continued to lead by example by doing his job every time he takes the field. The linebacking corps features plenty of experience with Tumminia along with senior linebacker, Campbell-commit A.J. Benton who has been exceptional. Benton has added 77 total tackles with a fumble recovery on the season.
Arkansas-commit Caleb Bell has commanded the defensive line for the Eagles, accumulating over 70 tackles with 11 sacks on the season. The starters on the Milton defensive line have experience playing in big games as they are all seniors including Caleb Ellis and Terrence Spencer Jr.
The backend for the Eagles is led by a pair of future Volunteers in Ty Redmond and Dylan Lewis who have been exceptional in the secondary for Milton. With 81 total tackles on the season and four combined interceptions, they will make things very difficult for a Lee County offense that has been on a tear this season.
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