ORLANDO, Florida, Aug. 22 — The No. 25 Milton [GA] Eagles were in desperate need of a win after last week's 20-13 loss at the No. 12 Buford [GA] Wolves.
They got one in a 24-17 victory over the stubborn First Academy [Orlando, FL] Royals.
Milton scored quickly on a blocked punt return for a touchdown to gain an early 7-0 advantage, and later added another touchdown via its punt block/return unit on a nearly 60-yard return to break a 7-7 tie. But The First Academy answered again, this time with a field goal, to stay within range at 14-10.
Colson Gill's 80-yard touchdown reception on a pass from Brian Dillard Jr. then appeared to turn the game in the Royals' favor giving The First Academy its first lead at 17-14. It proved to be short-lived as Milton marched back down the field to reclaim the lead at 21-17.
The visiting Eagles appeared to be on the verge of finally closing the door on The First Academy's fading hopes on a drive down to the Royals' 1-yard line in the fourth quarter. But the hosts' defense held firm there, and instead of going for seven and the sure win, the Eagles chose to kick a field goal and rely on their defense down the stretch with a 24-17 lead.
It turned out fine. The First Academy was unable to mount any serious challenge, and the game ended there with Milton heading back to Georgia with a hard-fought win.
Milton hasn't really looked like a Top 25 outfit, yet, but they may be able to work out some of the remaining kinks next week in their third straight road game to open the season. They'll visit the Alpharetta [GA] Raiders next, a 37-0 loser to the Kell [Marietta, GA] Longhorns Friday night.
The First Academy will host another tough out-of-state foe in the Central [Phenix City, AL] Red Devils that same evening.
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FINAL: MILTON 24, FIRST ACADEMY 17
|| FOURTH QUARTER ||
After an exchange of possessions, Milton's next drive stalls, and The First Academy is going to get one more shot to even things up on their own home field in Orlando. They've mostly hung with a talented Milton team, that obviously isn't all it was a year ago when it finished the season No. 2 in the country.
But there's still a lot of talent there, and First Academy has to feel pretty good about being able to line up with the current No. 25 team in the country and hang with them.
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Interesting decision. Leading 21-17, Milton's drive stalls at The First Academy's 1-yard line. Instead of going for it on 4th-and-goal from the one, they choose to put it on their defense, and they take the field goal. It's good, and they're up seven. A touchdown, however, would have likely ended it.
4th Qtr: MILTON 24, FIRST ACADEMY 17
|| THIRD QUARTER ||
With under a minute to play in the third quarter, Milton starts to show some urgency against The First Academy. They drive the field to retake the lead.
3rd Qtr: MILTON 21, FIRST ACADEMY 17
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First Academy strikes with an 80-yard touchdown pass and has taken the lead over Milton.
3rd Qtr: FIRST ACADEMY 17, MILTON 14
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First Academy has added a field goal and trails Milton by four.
3rd Qtr: MILTON 14, FIRST ACADEMY 10
|| HALFTIME ||
Halftime: MILTON 14, FIRST ACADEMY 7
|| SECOND QUARTER ||
The second quarter ends where the first quarter did.
|| FIRST QUARTER ||
Milton returns a punt for nearly 60 yards to regain the lead.
1st Qtr: MILTON 14, FIRST ACADEMY 7
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First Academy responds with a nice long drive to even things up.
1st Qtr: FIRST ACADEMY 7, MILTON 7
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Milton blocks a punt and returns it for a touchdown to strike first.
1st Qtr: MILTON 7, FIRST ACADEMY 0
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We're still awaiting word on when this game will get started. Three other Florida games we are liveblogging have started after weather delays so we remain hopeful this game will get going here pretty soon.
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We've had weather delays all across Florida tonight, and it's no exception here in Orlando, Florida. There does appear to be some sun breaking through on the live, but we're still awaiting word on when we'll get this game kicked off.
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TOP 25 AND THE GAME OF THE WEEK ...
While you're getting ready for tonight's big game, get yourself up to speed on the preseason edition of The Sporting News High School Football Top 25.
Then check out our TSN Game of the Week Recap featuring the No. 14 Milton (GA) Eagles at the No. 12 Buford (GA) Wolves on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
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OUR PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAMS ...
Finally, don't miss out on The Sporting News Preseason All-American Teams that just debuted today!
The Sporting News High School Preseason All-American Offense 2025
The Sporting News High School Preseason All-American Defense 2025
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We'll check back in here in a while with a look at some more storylines and an update on the weather in the greater Atlanta area.
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Here are the top 20 quarterbacks to watch in South Texas for '25 season