The John Milledge Academy varsity football team may have locked up a spot in the GISA state playoffs Friday, downing Mount de Sales 28-26 at home.

The Trojans started the scoring early, and they scored often. JMA put together a seven-play, 57-yard drive on its opening possession. Landon NeSmith punched it in from seven yards out for the 7-0 lead.

Danny White capped off an 80-yard, eight-play drive with a two-yard run on JMA’s second possession, but the PAT was no good giving the Trojans a 12-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Trojans started the second quarter just as the ended the first. Thomas Smith led a 40-yard, six-play drive, with the Trojans scoring on a nine-yard touchdown pass to Ben Archer. The 2-point conversion was good on a pass to White, giving JMA the 20-0 lead.

Mount de Sales finally got on the board just before the end of the half. The Cavaliers returned a punt down into Trojan territory, setting up a 24-yard touchdown run.

On their next possession, the Cavaliers scored in just two plays, making it 20-13.

John Milledge’s offense came back to life after the MDS score, putting together a 68-yard, nine-play drive. White capped the drive off with his second touchdown of the night, and NeSmith scored on the 2-point conversion to make it 28-13 JMA.

The Cavaliers answered with a 60-plus-yard scoring drive of their own, scoring on the sixth play of the possession. After a JMA punt, MDS drove 90 yards and scored again, making it 28-26 in the fourth quarter.

The Trojans were forced to punt once again, and the Cavaliers started another drive. But that’s where Archer stepped up, picking off a pass and ending MDS’ hopes of a victory. A first down and two quarterback kneels later, and the Trojans put themselves right back into the GISA playoff picture.

John Milledge returns to action next week, hitting the road to take on George Walton. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.