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Group spreads cheer to emergency workers ► PAGE 4
SPORTS Boys, girls basketball score wins against Lanier ► PAGES 8-9
Fulton district names schools taking transfers PHOTOS BY: ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
Eagles quarterback Luke Nickel confers with his running back TJ Lester at Milton High School Dec. 6. Milton went on to beat Lee County 56-28, punching their ticket to the 5A state championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Dec. 17 against Langston Hughes.
Milton shreds Lee County for shot at 5A football title By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga — After a tight beginning to the second quarter, Milton let loose on a 35-point scoring rampage against Lee County Dec. 6. The 56-28 semifinal win lifted the Eagles to 14-0 this season and earned them a spot in the 5A state championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Dec. 17. The game was tied 21-21 in the second quarter before Milton exploded to hand the Trojans their first loss this season.
Milton senior wide receiver CJ Wiley crossed 1,000 receiving yards on the season, leading the Eagles with three straight touchdowns — two for more than 60 yards — in just six minutes. The first two came within 30 seconds of each other after an interception by senior safety Ma’khi Jones. Eagles head coach Ben Reaves praised Wiley’s performance and spoke on what to expect in the championship match against Langston Hughes at MercedesBenz.
See FINALS, Page 21
Milton senior running back TJ Lester jukes out his defender at Milton High School Dec. 6. Lester rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns in the win against Lee County.
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Fulton County Schools has identified 80 schools that can accept transfer students for the 2025-26 school year under the Change of School Assignment process. The process, governed by School Board “Policy JBCD,” took effect in August. It allows student transfers for any reason. Previously, students had to file with a hardship or through options made available by state law. Only schools with available space, defined as 95-percent enrollment or below stated capacity over a threeyear projection, are COSA-eligible. The application deadline is Jan. 15 at 11:59 p.m. Acceptance or denial decisions for COSA applications are expected to be emailed in late January. If the application is approved, parents must respond by the stated deadline to have their child enrolled at the new school in 2025-26. For more information or to apply, visit https://www.fultonschools.org. — Amber Perry
Caroline Nalisnick C: 404.513.9226 | Caroline@HOMEgeorgia.com
Sam DiVito C: 404.803.5999 | Sam@HOMEgeorgia.com
Allison Kloster C: 404.784.5287 | Allison@HOMEgeorgia.com