It’s been a busy time for the Milton (Ga.) High School Eagles football team.

The No. 7 team in the country was forced to play two games in less than a week due to Hurricane Helene, defeating Seckinger and Lanier a combined 93-14, according to SBLive. And now they visit Gainesville against one of the best teams in Georgia (6-1), which is 32-3 since 2022.

At least the game features 15 top college recruitsled by Gainesville junior linebacker Xavier Griffin, the No. 1 recruit in the state for the 2026 class according to 247Sports.

This is the first time these powerhouses have met – at least since 2004 – but what a long history they all have.

NATIONAL HS FOOTBALL ADVERT | GEORGIA HS FOOTBALL ADVERT

Since 2022, the Red Elephants have a combined record of 32-3, with a loss in the 2022 6A title game to Langston Hughes (35-28).

Gainesville is led by Georgia native Griffin, offensive tackle Alex Payne (North Carolina), defensive lineman Julius Columbus (Duke), tight end Shane King (Troy) and sophomore quarterback Kharim Hughley.

Since 2017, Milton is 84-18, including 13-2 seasons in 2018, 2021 and 2023, with state championships in 2018 and 2023.

The Eagles are loaded with talent with 19 starters from a reigning state championship. It starts with Miami-bound quarterback Luke Nickel (1,556 passing yards, 16 touchdowns) and senior running back TJ Lester, who has rushed for 678 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Their top two candidates are Clemson-committed offensive tackle Brayden Jacobs (6-7, 310) and tight end Ethan Barbour, another Georgia player.

(Updates will be placed here as the game begins, with the latest updates at the top.)

FOURTH TOUCHDOWN

TOUCHDOWN GAINESVILLE! Carmelo Byrd 1 run. Like Lester’s determination, Byrd somehow got into the end zone when he was stopped three yards short. Milton 35, Gainesville 24. 9:25 4Q.

THIRD QUARTER

TOUCHDOWN MILTON! TJ Lester with an incredible 25-yard touchdown run only because he appeared to be absolutely stopped at the 15-yard mark and then was carried across the goal line by his teammates. This used to be illegal. Milton 35, Gainesville 17. 3:01 3Q.

TOUCHDOWN MILTON! Thanks to a second fake punt run for the first down, TJ Lester sprints around the left side and scores a 42-yard touchdown. Milton 28, Gainesville 17. 9:13 3Q.

SECOND QUARTER

FIELD GOAL MISSED! After recovering a fumble on the Gainesville side of the 50, Milton drives to the red zone. But after a penalty, Alex Nover missed a 35-yard field goal at the horn. HALFTIME: Milton 21, Gainesville 17.

KHARIM HUGHLEY AGAIN! This time, the lightning-fast sophomore QB sprinted 39 yards for a touchdown. Gainesville is closing in on No. 4. Lots of great athletes, but the 10th grader was key. Milton 21, Gainesville 17. 2:01 2Q.

GAINESVILLE HOLDS! Milton drove to the Gainesville 29, aided by a fake punt conversion, but the Red Elephants held on on downs. 3:07 2Q. Milton still leads 21-10.

MILTON TOUCHDOWN! Luke Nickel again with a 60-yard touchdown strike, second to Ethan Barbour. Great answer for Eagles. QB Luke Nickel, who is moving to Miami, has now thrown three touchdown passes. Milton 21, Gainesville 10. 6:25 2Q.

GAINESVILLE TOUCHDOWN! Sophomore QB Kharim Hughley rolls to his right and throws a beautiful 71-yard TD pass to Jeremiah Ware. Gainesville will be right back at it. Milton 14, Gainesville 10. 10:33 2Q.

FIRST QUARTER

GAINESVILLE FIELD GATE! Francisco Johnson 31-yard field goal. Milton 14, Gainesville 3. 1:02 1Q.

MILTON TOUCHDOWN! Nickel with his second touchdown pass, a 23-yard strike to Tristen Payne. Milton 14, Gainesville 0. 5:25 1Q.

MILTON TOUCHDOWN! The Eagles struck on the first possession after a TD pass from Luke Nickel to Georgia-bound tight end Ethan Barbour after he held off the Red Elephants on a three-and-out. Milton 7, Gainesville 0. 9:55.