High School Football
Terror Town
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Let me start off by making this statement. Glynn Academy football has never been better than it is currently.
The program is riding high and is the elite football program in Region 2-AAAAAA. Why is it elite? Here is your answer Rocky Hidalgo.
Since Coach Rock arrived in 2014, Glynn has won 49 football games in five seasons. That averages out to almost 10 wins per season.
When you want to establish a program you have to make a statement in your community and the easiest way to make a statement is to beat your number one rival.
Prior to Hidalgo’s arrival at Glynn the Red Terrors had lost six of its last seven games to Brunswick High School and the Pirates had controlled the City Championship series for two decades. Hidalgo is 5-0 against Glynn Academy’s number one rival, and Glynn firmly controls the series.
Prior to 2014, Glynn Academy had not won a region football championship since 1972. In 2015, Hidalgo led the Red Terrors to the region title. The first in 43 years and a berth in the State Championship game. That had not happened in Glynn County since 1999 when BHS advanced to the title game.
Hidalgo has led Glynn Academy to 4 straight region championships. That is an amazing accomplishment and Glynn will be the favorite in 2019 to capture a fifth straight region title.
Coach Rock has turned Glynn into a state brand since 2014. In that timeframe the Red Terrors have won 12 state playoff games and made it into the third round in four of his five seasons.
Translation is Hidalgo has made Glynn very well respected around the state of Georgia, which is very hard when the power structure and population center is based in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
What is the recipe for Hidalgo’s success at Glynn?
- The man can motivate kids. He makes kids believe in him and his system by being consistent but demanding. The Glynn kids know he will go to bat for them and they respond and give him their best effort.
- Hidalgo can develop talent. He gets every ounce of talent out of his program, and his teams put the word team first and it shows on Friday nights.
- The man can find and develop coaches. Glynn has the best coaching staff around because Hidalgo can locate them and he lets them coach. Kind of like a CEO approach.
The great football coaches today have to be able to delegate and hold their assistants accountable and none in these parts are better at that than Hidalgo.
When you are very successful bigger programs come calling. To ensure against that systems have to be set up to keep Glynn County coaches in the county.
The County of Glynn needs to get on a level playing field when it comes to coaches supplements. Did you know that AAA program Pierce County and AAAAA Ware County have a higher football head coach supplement than both AAAAAA high schools in Glynn County? That is disgraceful.
We have great head coaches in Glynn County and we need to have incentives in place to keep them in place.
Back to Coach Hidalgo the big dogs are knocking on his door and I would hate to see him leave one day.
It’s time to lock down the greatest head football coach in Glynn Academy history, and a man who is a valuable asset to our community.
He has put Glynn Academy in the spotlight in the State of Georgia, not only because he wins football games, but more importantly because he develops young men.
Gator Call
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Franklin Stephens left Ware County and headed to the Cobb County school system last week. By doing so he left Ware looking for a football coach pretty late in the game.
While everyone else in the state is getting ready for spring football practice, Ware County has to hire a new football coach.
When a job like Ware opens up the rumor mill starts churning. Rumors fly left and right about who has applied and who might apply.
Another rumor is Ware has had 60 people apply for the opening in the past week. The internet is buzzing with big name coach sightings in Waycross.
What is special about the Ware County job? I had a retired school administrator tell me that the Ware job is the best job in southeast Georgia. Let’s take a look at the reasons why:
1.Talent: Ware County is loaded with talented athletes. Football is king in the County and Ware for the last 20 years has been a consistent winner making it to the state title game twice, many deep playoff runs, and is always a region title contender.
A new coach comes into a stacked roster with a generational player at QB, who is a rising sophomore. The Gators have speed and size everywhere. Not many jobs have the talent pool of Ware.
2.Pay: The Ware job is one of the top paying jobs in this area. The assistants are paid above scale, and football is a priority. Football pays the bills and it is invested in heavily.
3.Support: The Gators have a dedicated fan base, a renovation taking place in a historic 10,000 seat stadium and an active booster club that raises a lot of funds that support the football program.
4.Location: Ware County is within one hour of the beach, major airport and metropolitan center in Jacksonville. The Gators are in a region alignment that sets them up to win big every season.
Now let’s have some fun with speculating who would be a good candidate for this job from our area. Keep in mind I am SPECULATING here folks.
Brandon Derrick/Frederica Academy: Fresh off of a state title, Derrick can’t do much more on St. Simons Island.
The challenge at Frederica is bringing in football players to keep the numbers up.
Derrick would have JaShawn Sheffield and Jaylin Simpson type talent, or better coming through the Ware program every year. He is a good coach, who needs to land a big job like Ware. Thomas County Central hired their head man from Valwood. The precedent is there. He needs his shot.
Sean Pender/Brunswick High: The Air Raid offense in Waycross is scary to think about. The Gators put up record numbers, that still stand today, from his stint as offensive coordinator in the late 1990’s.
Ware is a one-school county and you don’t have to worry about the talent in the county being divided between three schools.
Pender knows how Ware County operates better than anyone. Mrs. Pender loves the Golden Isles however.
Rocky Hidalgo/Glynn Academy: If you can’t beat them hire them, right? The Rock is 4-2 against Ware and physically beat up the Gators in those 4 wins.
The man can coach and hires assistants better than anyone. Ware could match the money or give him a pay raise.
He would have elite talent at his disposal annually. Could he be lured away from the coast? If so, in 15 years he could have a statue of him outside of Memorial Stadium.
Jason Strickland/Pierce County: It is only a 10-mile drive to Waycross from Blackshear. The job would be a step up in classification and money for Strickland. He would be a great hire.
Pierce plays in the worst AAA region in the state, so the third-round trip in the playoffs last season could be the high-water mark there.
Tucker Pruitt/Fitzgerald: Pruitt is a good coach who could step in and win big right away at Ware. There is better talent and more money in Waycross than Fitzgerald. This could be a dream job for someone like Pruitt.
The Ware County job outside of Camden County may be the best job in South Georgia. Ware has the applicants to prove it.
Frederica Gets Knighted
By: Rich Bontrager
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Frederica Academy Knights had one goal all season; to finish what they started last season and actually make it to Mercer University for the State Championship.
Six years to the day that the Knights earned their first Championship in the GISA, they did so again but this time in the AAA Class.
The match up was built as a potential grudge match with John Milledge Academy. The Knights had lost to the Trojan’s only a month ago on a questionable call that cost them a 1-point loss.
However, in this rematch for the GISA title, there would be no doubt! The Knights dominated in all aspects of the game as they shut out John Milledge 48-0.
Frederica would score the only points in the first quarter on an explosive 7-yard TD run by Patrick Brunson (Sr). After that score, it looked like the two may be ready for an intense
defensive battle. Instead, the Knights would tack on another 21 points before half-time and show that they clearly were in control of the game.
Second quarter scores were all rushing touchdowns. Simpson, Veal, and Jackson all found their way to the end zone, as each point after the kick was successful. Frederica went into the locker room at the half stunning most of the fans with a 28-0 lead.
Much of the scoring in the first half was made possible by exceptional defensive plays and stops that forced the Trojans to punt or turn the ball over on downs.
The first half defense featured outstanding plays by Deke Jernigan (Jr), Patrick Brunson, and Cameron Gardner (Sr). The only bright spot for John Milledge was the 46 yards rushing by sophomore running back Amaad Foston.
The second half exploded with a trick play on the very first play from the line of scrimmage, as the Knights ran a double reverse flee-flicker route and scored. Patrick Brunson was left wide open down the middle of the field, as the double reverse unfolded, and caught a 52 yard pass from Jaylin Simpson.
After the game Coach Brandon Derrick said, “We have practiced this play a lot, but never really completed it well enough. Tonight, we did it just perfect.” Simpson completed the game executing 14 of 15 pass attempts.
In the third quarter the Knights would add on another 13 points to extend their lead. John Milledge threatened briefly as they got the to the 5-yard line, but once again the Knights defense held. The Trojan’s would miss the field goal attempt and the Knights would again get the ball on a turnover of downs.
Overall this game was a total team effort that showcased how unselfish play can make a great team even greater. The defense got an interception, sack, and kept Brandon Bellflower (QB) of John Milledge on the run all night long.
The defense made stop after stop. Five different Knights would score on offense and eight different players would rush for yardage. Frederica wraps the 2018 season with a 10-3 record and Championship trophy coming home to Saint Simons Island.
Congratulations to Coach Brandon Derrick, his coaching staff, players and entire team for overcoming early season adversity to make the “March To Mercer” and achieve the goal of winning the GISA title. This will be a season to remember.
Jousting For Title
By: Rich Bontrager
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
For the third straight week in a row, the Frederica Knights football squad blew out their opponent.
With the win, the Knights have earned the chance to be GISA Champs.
In spite a game time starting temperature of 41 degrees, with windy and damp conditions, the Knights hit the field red hot.
Frederica received the opening kickoff and marched right down the field. The drive was capped off with a score as Jaylin Simpson (QB) threw a 25-yard TD pass to Denver Anthony. The extra point was no good as the Knights enjoyed a 6-0 lead.
The Heritage Hawks would respond with a quick score off their first play from the line of scrimmage. Henry Arnall (QB) threw a 55-yard TD pass as a receiver found an open lane on the visitor’s side of the field. Heritage would take the lead with the extra point, making it 6-7.
The quick TD had everyone in attendance wondering if this was a sign of an epic battle in the making.
The fact is the Knight’s defense would shut Heritage down cold the rest of the evening. With the outstanding defensive play, the Knight’s offense would find themselves with great field position and score at will. Frederica would post 39 points in the first half alone.
First half scoring included 2 TD runs by Isaiah Jackson (RB), plus other rushing touchdowns by Jashawn Sheffield (WR), Denver Anthony (RB), Harry Veal (RB).
Much of the reason the Knights could score so well was due to the offensive line pushing down field, while creating massive run holes and lanes for the running backs.
As Frederica went into half-time with a 39-7 lead, the question hung in the cold air, would the Knight’s come out cold and lose another semi-final game? Frederica would silence all doubters as series after series, the Hawks would be sacked, fumble, lose yardage and never have a sustained drive in the second half.
Meanwhile, the Knights would add 14 more points on to the scoreboard.
Senior (LB) Harry Veal had an exceptional night on both offense and defense. Veal would sack Henry Arnall, get an interception, and almost score.
Veal was an example of the entire Frederica Knights football teams focus and determination to advance to the Championship game next week.
Before the Knight’s left the field, they knew they would be playing John Milledge Academy for the second time this season, and have a shot at claiming their second GISA title.
The Knights will travel to Mercer University next Friday night for a special 8 pm start time.
Frederica Gallops Past Valwood
By: Rich Bontrager
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The last time Valwood and Frederica met it was game two of the 2018 football season.
The game was a defensive battle and had to go to overtime to be decided. Eventually, Valwood would defeat the Knights 7-6.
However, that was not the case this week, as the Valiants returned to Frederica Academy in the second round of the GISA football playoffs.
Frederica received the opening kickoff, a rare occurrence this season. Several plays later, Frederica would score on a 5-yard TD pass from Jaylin Simpson (QB) to Harry Veal, who lined up as a secondary receiver. With the extra point made, the Knights led 7-0.
The rest of the first quarter settled into a seesaw battle of defensive stops by both teams, as well as many penalties.
Then in the second quarter, the Knights game plan seemed to emerge and they would score another 20 unanswered points. Many of the points came as Frederica’s defense continued to stop Valwood’s offense and force them to punt.
The offense exploded as Jaylin Simpson connected twice with fellow Auburn commit, Jashawn Sheffield, once on a 33-yard pass completion and then another on a 55-yard pass.
Senior RB Isaiah Jackson would add two other short yard TD scores, one for 2 yards and another for 6 yards.
Most of the offensive production was due to the offensive line producing massive holes for the running backs and exceptional blocking for Simpson to find open receivers.
Head Coach Brandon Derrick had said prior to the game, “For the Knight’s to win, we must get up on Valwood early and not let them find their rhythm”. It was evident that Frederica was doing just that in the first half.
As the Knights kicked off to Valwood to start the second half, they were hoping to build on their 33-0 lead and make a historical statement to one of their most heated rivals. Two costly turnovers early in the 3rd quarter gave the Valiants a fresh blast of energy as they scored off a short TD pass making it 33-7.
Valwood would try an onside kick, but Frederica would recover it and had another series of downs on a short playing field. Isaiah Jackson would add his third TD score, as he rushed for 44 yards. That play was highlighted by a great downfield block Patrick Brunson (WR). Jackson would score a total of six times and help lead the way for the decisive 60 – 27 win.
With this win, Frederica advances to the third round of the GISA playoff and will travel to Heritage Hawks in Newman, GA next Friday night.
If the Knights can defeat the Hawks they will play in the Championship game on November, 30th
Glynn Pitch Forked Out Of Playoffs
By: Jason Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
In a second-round matchup in the GHSA playoffs, two 6A powerhouses squared off. The Glynn Academy Red Terrors and the Valdosta Wildcats went at it for a berth in the Elite Eight on the line.
Valdosta took an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter. The Red Terrors would respond with a touch down of their own to tie the game at 7-7.
The Red Terrors took their only lead on a field goal in the second, 10-7.
Valdosta would then score two touchdowns to take a 21-10 lead into the half.
The Wildcats would then score a third unanswered touch down on their first possession in the 3rd quarter for a 28-10 lead.
Glynn answered on a long, methodical TD drive to cut the lead to 28-17 with 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter.
Valdosta punched back with another TD to go ahead 35-17, just before the end of the 3rd quarter.
The Red Terrors would not go away, punching home another TD to stay in the game at 35-24.
The Terrors had an opportunity to pull within a TD with around 3 minutes to go with an attempted field goal. That field goal was blocked and for all intents and purposes that would be it for Glynn’s season.
Valdosta took over on offense and milked the clock away for the win.
Glynn Academy finishes their season with an 8-4 record. The four losses for the Terrors all came to powerhouses within the state; Camden, Wayne, Ware and Valdosta.
This is the first time in the Rocky Hidalgo era that the Red Terrors did not at least make the Elite 8.
Valdosta will take on Dacula in the Elite 8 of the playoffs.
All four teams from Glynn Academy’s region lost at the hands of a team from Region 1 in the second round.
The Red Terrors were a young football team in 2018, having lost 19 seniors from 2017. However, Glynn won their 5th consecutive City Championship and 4th consecutive region championship.
The future looks bright for the Red Terrors moving into 2019. Glynn will be in the mix for a state title in 2019.
All Buzz
By: Mike Anthony
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 1973 season holds a special place in the hearts of Southeast Bulloch fans as it was the second of consecutive state championships for the Yellow Jackets.
But in modern times, the year has become a spectre. While the Jackets walked of the field as the best in Georgia in 1973, that title game also marks the last time SEB won a state playoff contest.
Unfortunately, for Southeast Bulloch, that winless streak has now reached a full 45 years. The Yellow Jackets mounted an impressive 9-1 mark in the regular season and earned a No. 2 seed and a home game to begin the Class AAA playoffs, but Liberty County wrecked the party, managing a slim lead after one half of play and shutting out the Jackets in the second half en route to a 38-14 triumph.
The first half was a seesaw battle as the Jackets threw the first punch.
With leading running back Jamari Daniel hampered by an ankle injury, SEB was still able to drive down the field and C.J. Coney punched in a 3-yard run to give the Jackets an early lead.
Liberty answered with a 3-yard touchdown run of their own as Kris Coleman scored the first of his four touchdowns on his way to 15 carries for 143 yards on the evening.
In what became a running gag, Liberty missed the ensuing extra point and SEB still led. But the Panthers answered with another touchdown on a 26-yard Coleman run and another missed conversion gave Liberty County a 12-7 advantage.
The teams traded scores over the final minutes of the half to send the Panthers into the locker room with an 18-14 lead.
On the first drive of the second half, SEB appeared to stop Liberty, only to have Coleman strike again. The Panthers’ star running back took a short snap on a fake punt and danced through a pair of tackles on his way to a 44-yard touchdown to extend the Liberty lead.
The Jackets couldn’t answer on their next offensive possession and, following a punt, Liberty began to sink the knife into the Jackets.
Liberty County quarterback Dionte Bowens led his offense on a 12-play, 79-yard drive and Bowens capped off the long trek with a 5-yard touchdown plunge.
A last-gasp from the Jackets’ offense took them all the way to the Liberty County 1, but that’s where the Panther defense made its stand. To add insult to injury, the Panthers drove the length of the field to add on their final score of the night and put the game out of reach.
With the win, Liberty County moves on to the second round of the state playoffs for a fourth consecutive season. The Panthers will travel to Peach County next week.
Meanwhile, another year can be added onto the Jackets’ postseason victory drought.
Playoff Terrors
By: Jason Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The GHSA playoffs kicked off on Friday night.
The Glynn Academy Red Terrors were matched up with the #4 seed from the Augusta Region, the Evan Knights.
Glynn earned home field for at least the first two rounds of the playoffs and hosted Evans at Glynn County Stadium.
Glynn finished up the regular season with a 7-3 mark, region champs and a #1 seed in the playoffs.
Evans came in with a 3-7 record and earned the #4 seed from the Augusta Region.
Both teams got off to slow starts. However, Evans would put a TD on the board midway through the 1st quarter for a 7-0 lead. The touchdown came on 3 plays that covered 95 yards.
They would not score again. The Evans 7-0 lead would through the remainder of the 1st quarter.
The Red Terrors would respond with a touchdown early in the second quarter going 80 yards to tie the game at 7-7. The score coming on a Nolan Grant 6-yard TD run.
The Terrors would take the lead on a 51-yard TD run by Quany Bostick midway through the 2nd quarter, 14-7. Glynn would add another TD from TJ Lewis, scoring on a 1-yard TD run. That would be good for a 21-7 Red Terror lead in the 2nd quarter. Glynn scored on 11 plays for 78 yards. That score would hold to halftime.
The Terrors defense would stop Evan offense on their first drive of the second half to get the ball back. Glynn would march the ball downfield to put the game away, scoring another touchdown for a 28-7 lead.
With about 5 minutes left in the game the Red Terrors would pour it on, running the ball down the throat of Evans for another touchdown for a 35-7 lead. With a minute and change Caden Hutchinson would push the ball into the endzone for another TD. Glynn would now lead 42-7 and that would be the final. The Red Terrors scored the final 42 points of the game.
With the win the Terrors improve their record to 8-3 for 2018.
The Red Terrors will host the Valdosta Wildcats in the second round of the playoffs at Glynn County Stadium. The Wildcats, a first round winner over Lovejoy, 63-21.
Glynn played Valdosta in the preseason scrimmage in which the Wildcats beat the Terrors handily.
The Red Terrors have advanced to at least the Elite 8 in every year Coach Rocky Hidalgo has been at the helm.
The Pirates Next Voyage
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 2018 season ended for the Brunswick High Pirates before Halloween. No playoffs, and a final won loss record of 3-7.
The key factors for the disappointing season were youth and inexperience, and a defense that could stop opposing teams this fall.
Even the most optimistic Pirates like myself saw back before the season started that the season may be a struggle.
The Pirates opened with Coffee, Bartram Trail (Florida), and Camden in the first month of the season and got off to an expected 1-3 start after beating MCA 49-7 in Darien.
Brunswick then beat New Hampstead and Monroe in back to back weeks to even the slate at 3-3 going into region play. The Pirates hosted Richmond Hill in the region opener and got drilled 41-7. They never recovered from that loss and went on to drop region games to Effingham, Glynn, and Bradwell to finish out the season.
Pirate Season Report Card.
Offense: C-. The Pirates averaged 18.8 points a game in 2018 which was far below the record setting offense of the previous year.
This offense failed to score over 14 points in any region game and averaged right at 12 points a game against region rivals.
Jaylen Trimmings had a fine season running the football, but inconsistency at the QB position doomed the offense.
BHS turned the ball over too many times at key moments in contests to get any momentum in key region games down the stretch. Brunswick High loses only 4 starters on offense in 2019 so look for this unit to get back on track next season.
A lot of young skilled talent returns in 2019 most of which will be 10th and 11th graders next fall. BHS played a lot of youth at key positions in 2018.
Defense: D-. The Pirate defense gave up 36 points on average in region play and other than the city title game against Glynn, gave up over 40 points against to the rest of the region.
That won’t get it done on Altama Avenue. Look for some changes on that side of the ball for 2019. The good news is BHS returns 8-9 starters in 2019. Look for the unit to be much improved. BHS must find some size on the defensive line, but will be fine at LB and DB in 2019.
Special Teams: C. Special teams were about average in 2018. The unit did some good things and some not so good things. Consistent kicks into the end zone, which was a luxury every other team in the region had except BHS, are needed.
Coaching: C. With a 3-7 record you can’t give high marks, but game plans and schemes were solid, but execution was not all season.
BHS has a good coaching staff, but things did not go the programs way in 2018. Sean Pender and the BHS offense will be the most productive in Region 2 next fall, you heard it here first.
BHS will have a new attacking style scheme on defense and this season was just a blip on the radar screen.
Overall: D. Brunswick High went 3-7 and the program has not won more than 7 games in a season since 2010 which is also the last time BHS won a playoff game.
Final Thoughts: Sean Pender is building a football program and this was the season to pile it on BHS because roles will start reversing in 2019.
BHS started a freshman at RB, OL, and DB at various times in 2018. The Pirates also started a sophomore QB for most of the season.
The 2019 Pirates will bring back 15-17 kids that started a varsity football game in 2018.
And don’t think for one minute that this group will forget what the Effingham’s of the world did by throwing TD passes with under a minute left in the game up 38-14.
Effingham, Richmond Hill, and Bradwell coaches all know the young talent on the BHS roster, and they better not shed one tear when payback comes their way next fall.
Statesboro Buries Phoenix
By: Mike Anthony
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
A week ago, there were plenty of nerves at Womack Field as the Statesboro Blue Devils gutted out a win over South Effingham to punch their first ticket to the state playoffs since 2013.
On Friday night, the Devils were able to keep the momentum rolling. Statesboro found itself trailing New Hampstead by a count of 21-7 midway through the second quarter, but rallied to score the final four touchdowns of the contest to claim a 35-21 victory.
Statesboro took an early advantage when leading rusher Jaylen Roberson continued his suburb season with a 21-yard touchdown run.
As the second quarter began, the Phoenix answered with a bang. Deyandre Ruffin found open space for a 65-yard scoring run and Justin Mckithen topped that with a 90-yard touchdown run to put New Hampstead on top.
Things appeared to be heading for disaster when the Phoenix blocked and recovered an SHS punt for a touchdown and a 21-7 lead with just a minute remaining in the half, but the Devils got off the mat.
Statesboro responded with a stellar kick return by Will Yawn, another big run by Roberson and a pitch-and-catch from Drake Horton to Ryan Lindsey to reach the red zone.
Horton completed the textbook two-minute drill by finding Corey Gibson for a 10-yard touchdown strike to cut the Devils’ deficit to 21-14 at halftime.
From there on out, it was all Blue Devils.
Roberson found the end zone again midway through the third quarter and the ensuing extra point tied things up. It was Roberson doing the damage again early in the fourth quarter with a 4-yard run on the first play of the final period putting him in the end zone for the third time on the night.
The big plays that had spurred the Phoenix to their early lead were nowhere to be found in the second half as the SHS defense clamped down. And with 1:54 to play, Devardrion Lipsey plunged in from four yards out to wrap things up.
With the win, the Blue Devils improved to 4-6 on the season. More importantly, the Devils and Phoenix entered Friday’s game with identical 1-2 marks in Region 2-AAAAA competition.
The regular season finale turned into a de facto region playoff for seeding. The big win for Statesboro bumped them into the region’s No. 3 seed while New Hampstead was left with the No. 4 seed and will have to tangle with Region 3-AAAAA champion Starr’s Mill in next week’s first round action.
Statesboro will travel to face Griffin next Friday. Ironically, it was a loss at Griffin in the second round of the 2013 playoffs that marks the last time the Blue Devils made an appearance in a state playoff game.
The Blue Devils’ fourth win of the season equaled the total wins for the program over the last three seasons combined and is the most in a single year since a 9-3 mark in the 2013 playoff season.
The team will be a prohibitive underdog at Griffin next week, but now in the second year of the Jeff Kaiser coaching era and with a handful of junior playmakers who have keyed the improvement, Statesboro could be well on its way to reestablishing itself as a perennial playoff participant.
