Milton remained No. 4 in Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Class 6A football rankings after rallying to beat Gainesville 49-46 on Friday, Oct. 23.
The Eagles improved to 7-1 overall and 4-0 in Region 7, taking sole possession of first place. Gainesville remained No. 6 in the GPB poll released Oct. 25.
The Roundabout reported that Milton scored 32 second-half points after entering halftime down 30-17 at City Park in Gainesville.
Running back Sheldon Atchison opened the second half with a long run that set up quarterback Derrick Baker’s 7-yard touchdown. Atchison later scored on a 33-yard run to give Milton a 31-30 lead.
A blocked Gainesville punt created another scoring opportunity. Baker found Jordan Carrasquillo for a 9-yard touchdown, extending the Eagles’ advantage to 38-30, according to the High School On SI recap carried by Yahoo Sports.
Gainesville answered with two touchdowns to regain the lead before Baker connected with Grant Haviland for a fourth-quarter score. A successful two-point conversion put Milton ahead 46-43.
After Gainesville tied the game with a field goal, Ryan Jung delivered the decisive kick: a 47-yarder with 58 seconds remaining. Milton recovered a fumble on Gainesville’s final possession to secure the victory.
Baker, a senior Tennessee commit, finished with three touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns. Gainesville played much of the game without starting quarterback Kharim Hughley, a Clemson commit who left with an injury in the second quarter. Sophomore Cooper Papka replaced him.
The Roundabout reported that Jung also made a 50-yard field goal just before halftime, giving him his two longest successful kicks of the season.
Thomas County Central, Creekside and Lee County occupy the three spots ahead of Milton in GPB’s Class 6A rankings.
The Eagles lead Region 7 ahead of Gainesville and Roswell, both 4-1 in league play. Milton visits Riverwood on Friday, Oct. 30, then hosts Roswell on Friday, Nov. 6. Both games are scheduled for 7:30 p.m., according to MaxPreps.
