Milton runs it back, defeats Langston Hughes to claim GHSA 5A title
Day two of the Georgia High School Association football state championship came to an end with the Milton Eagles completing their quest to repeat as state champs with a 56-35 win over the Langston Hughes Panthers. And while the Eagles closed out the game winning by three scores, Langston Hughes made sure Milton earned their way to becoming back to back state champions.
As the first quarter got underway, the Milton would would score on their first two possessions, taking a 14-0 lead thanks to a rushing touchdown by senior and University of West Georgia signee TJ Lester, who finished with three touchdowns and 201 yards on the ground, and score through the air as senior and Miami signee, Luke Nickel would connect with sophomore wide receiver, Jordan Carrasquillo.
Later in the quarter, a 65-yard rushing touchdown by junior running back, Carsyn Baker, who finished with three rushing touchdowns, would give Langston Hughes their first score of the night, making it a 14-7 lead for Milton, who would respond on the ensuing possession as Nickel would toss his second touchdown of the night with senior and Georgia signee, Ethan Barbour on the receiving end as the Eagles would take a 21-7 lead.
As the ensuing Panthers' possession would close out the first quarter and kick off the second period of play, Langston Hughes would score on the first play of the quarter as senior quarterback, Christian Langford would connect with senior and Georgia track and field signee, Maurice Gleaton Jr., helping the Panthers cut into the Milton lead, as they trailed 21-14.
On the next Milton possession, the Langston Hughes defense would come up with a momentum swinging play as they would force Lester to fumble the ball, with the Panther recovering and marching down field to score on another Baker rushing touchdown, as the game would be tied 21-21 after the successful extra point by the Panthers.
As the quarter reached the two minute mark, the two teams would exchange touchdowns, scoring a combined 28 points in under two minutes, but Milton would take a 42-35 lead into the locker room at the half. However, the second half would belong to the Eagles as they would score 14 unanswered points in route to a 56-35 win and the GHSA 5A state title.
"It feels incredible. All out hard work paid off all year long, so I'm just very proud of my guys for pushing through, playing as one and we gave it everything we had and we came out on top," Lester said after Tuesday night's win, also praising the performance of the Milton offensive line for playing a role in his success in the Eagles run game.
"They blocked great all night. Without them, I'm nothing so I'm proud of them and coaches trusted me with the ball in my hands so I had to go make plays for them," Lester added.
