Today’s interviewee is Milton quarterback Luke Nickel, who led his team to a 56-28 victory over Lee County in the Class 5A semifinals last week. Nickel is an AJC Super 11 pick who signed last week with Miami. He was interviewed Sunday for GHSF Daily by Craig Sager during the Score Atlanta High School Football and Flag Awards.
1. Milton is in the finals for the second straight year. What makes this year’s team different or better than last year? “We have a lot of guys that returned from last year, so I feel like we are very experienced. We have that leadership within our team, and we also have established a winning culture. We are hungry this year and striving to go back-to-back for the first time in Milton’s history. In terms of our offense, I would just say that we are very explosive as a unit and can really control the game whenever we need to. I also feel like our defense is very underrated. They are athletic and play fast, and they are big up front.”
2. You had a big performance against Lee County with 302 passing yards, 92 rushing yards and six total touchdowns. Can you talk about the game plan and your skill set? “I think that was just the preparation we put in for the game during the week and just trusting our guys. It shows how hard we have worked this year and then the preparation that went into that game. I think my biggest skill set is to make plays and get the ball into our playmakers’ hands. Of course, our offensive line makes me look good, and so do all the guys around me. So getting the ball to our playmakers and being a leader and also having fun.”
3. You were committed to Miami since August of 2023 before making it official last week on early signing day. What excites you about playing for Hurricanes? “I feel like the future at Miami is bright, and I have a ton of faith in head coach Mario Cristobal and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, and I think that they will bring us to the promised land. I love the culture that Coach Cristobal has brought back to The U.”
4. Milton will take on Hughes in the Class 5A final in what will be the final game of your varsity career. What are you looking forward to in that matchup, and with all the top-10 national rankings, do you think this team is deserving of a shot at a national title? “The goal is to leave it all out on the field one last time for the guys I have been playing with my whole life. I love those guys. They have poured so much into me, and I trust them so much, and they trust me, and I can’t thank them enough for the type of teammates they are. Our coaching staff is great, and I think we are all just going to leave it all out on the field. I definitely think we are one of the best teams in the country. We can match up with anybody.”
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