The Milton (GA) varsity football team will face Langston Hughes (Fairburn, GA) in a neutral playoff game today at 7 PM for the AAAAA State Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This matchup is part of the 2024 Georgia High School Football Playoff Brackets: GHSA – Class 5A tournament.
AAAAA State Championship Football Game Info:
What: Georgia High School Football Playoff
Who: Langston Hughes vs Milton
When: Saturday, December 14, 2024
Time: In Progress
Live stream: Watch here
Game preview: AAAAA State Championship
The 2024 Georgia High School Football AAAAA State Championship will feature a highly anticipated showdown between Langston Hughes and Milton. Both powerhouse programs have dominated their respective seasons and will clash for the ultimate prize in Georgia high school football.
Team Overview: Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes enters the championship with an impressive 13-1 record, finishing 7-0 in regional play and undefeated at home with a 9-0 record. Their lone defeat came on the road, but the Panthers have been nearly unstoppable with a scoring margin of 645-185 over their opponents. Ranked 6th in Georgia and 3rd in Class AAAAA, Langston Hughes has relied on a potent offense and a strong defensive presence to reach this stage.
- Team Stats:
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 230.5
- Passing Yards Per Game: 216.5
- Total Yards Per Game: 447.0
- Points Per Game: 41.7
- Tackles Per Game: 95.1
- Sacks Per Game: 2.1
- Key Players:
- Qwantavius Wiggins (#21): Leading the ground attack with 88.5 rushing yards per game.
- Christian Langford (#3): A versatile quarterback, averaging 216.5 passing yards and 256.1 total yards per game.
- Maurice Gleaton Jr. (#15): The team’s top receiver, averaging 68.7 receiving yards per game.
- Aji Griggs (#26): Defensive standout with 10.6 tackles per game.
Team Overview: Milton
Milton boasts a perfect 14-0 record and is ranked 2nd nationally, 1st in Georgia, and 1st in Class AAAAA. The Eagles have been dominant all season, outscoring opponents 604-162, and are riding a wave of momentum after sweeping their regional opponents and winning all four playoff games. Milton’s balanced offense and strong defensive front make them a formidable opponent in this matchup.
- Team Stats:
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 189.9
- Passing Yards Per Game: 243.7
- Total Yards Per Game: 433.6
- Points Per Game: 43.1
- Tackles Per Game: 77.2
- Sacks Per Game: 2.9
- Key Players:
- TJ Lester (#21): A dual-threat running back, averaging 117.6 rushing yards per game and 11.1 points per game.
- Luke Nickel (#5): The Eagles’ star quarterback, posting 238.2 passing yards and 257.5 total yards per game.
- CJ Wiley (#4): Top receiver with 76.0 receiving yards per game.
- Hayden Tumminia (#7): Defensive leader with 8.7 tackles per game.
- Caleb Bell (#15): A sack leader with 0.8 sacks per game.
Head-to-Head Comparison
While Langston Hughes and Milton have not faced each other directly this season, both teams share two common opponents: Dutchtown and Roswell. Both programs convincingly defeated these teams:
- Langston Hughes defeated Dutchtown 57-14 and Roswell 31-21.
- Milton defeated Dutchtown 41-3 and Roswell 35-20.
Offensive Matchup
Langston Hughes averages 447 total yards per game, with a balanced attack of 230.5 rushing yards and 216.5 passing yards. Christian Langford will be a crucial factor, as his ability to distribute the ball and extend plays with his legs poses a significant challenge for Milton’s defense.
On the other hand, Milton’s offense averages 433.6 total yards, led by Luke Nickel and the reliable receiving tandem, including CJ Wiley. While Milton leans slightly more on their passing game, their rushing attack, spearheaded by TJ Lester, adds a dynamic element that keeps defenses honest.
Defensive Matchup
Defensively, Langston Hughes has a slight edge in tackles, averaging 95.1 tackles per game compared to Milton’s 77.2. Aji Griggs and Tavaris Dice will play pivotal roles in stopping Milton’s high-powered offense. However, Milton’s defense excels at pressuring quarterbacks, averaging 2.9 sacks per game, which could disrupt Langston Hughes’ passing rhythm.
Scoring Averages by Quarter
Langston Hughes tends to start strong, averaging 14.8 points in the first quarter. Milton, however, shines in the second quarter with 18.5 points, which highlights their ability to adjust and dominate before halftime. The second quarter could prove decisive in determining the momentum of this game.
| Quarter | Langston Hughes | Milton |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 14.8 | 12.9 |
| Q2 | 6.0 | 18.5 |
| Q3 | 12.3 | 9.5 |
| Q4 | 7.3 | 4.6 |
| Final | 46.1 | 43.1 |
Prediction and Key Factors
This matchup will likely come down to which team can capitalize on their strengths while minimizing turnovers. Langston Hughes’ ground game and ability to control possession could be a key advantage. Meanwhile, Milton’s explosive second-quarter offense and passing attack give them the potential to pull ahead early.
Both teams are championship-caliber programs, and the outcome may come down to a single big play or a defensive stop. Fans can expect an intense, hard-fought battle as Langston Hughes and Milton vie for the coveted Georgia AAAAA State Championship.
Kickoff: Stay tuned as Georgia’s two premier teams meet to settle the score and determine the 2024 Class AAAAA State Champion!
