Class 5A Blog: Milton football faces Alpharetta after two tough weeks

Milton looks to get back on track as the team heads to North Fulton rival Alpharetta for a Week 3 battle. After two tough opening games, the Eagles sit at 1-1, but are still one of the favorites in class 5A.

The biggest question is who will be under center. Star junior quarterback Derrick Baker has been out since the second half of the Week 1 loss to Buford. In his absence, freshman Trey Henderson has stepped in. Henderson’s play has been mixed as the coaching staff gradually increases his responsibilities. In his first career start against The First Academy, he completed 9 of 16 passes for 78 yards against a strong Royals defense.

Fortunately, Henderson has several weapons to ease the pressure. Rising star wide receiver Jordan Carrasquillo and 4-star tight end Grant Haviland give him reliable targets in the passing game, while a powerful ground attack provides balance. The Eagles feature two elite underclassman linemen, Josh Evans and freshman standout Landon Ghea, who are already among the best in their classes. Junior running back Sheldon Atchison has been the workhorse so far, rushing for 146 yards in the first two games, more than 70 yards ahead of the team’s next closest rusher. At 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, Atchison is a physical runner who can take pressure off his young quarterback.

On Friday, Milton faces an Alpharetta team led by first-year head coach Brian Landis, who served as defensive coordinator at West Georgia last season. Though the Raiders are 0-1, they already look improved from 2024, when they finished 1-9. Milton will have to contend with a physical Alpharetta squad featuring 3-star edge junior rusher Jaxon Holley. The Raiders will not be a pushover, and they could give the Eagles another real test, early in the season.

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