High School Football
Shipwrecked
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The BHS Pirates were destroyed by Richmond Hill in the first region game of the season 41-7 at home in front of a sparse crowd at Glynn County Stadium.
The loss dropped the Pirates to 3-4 on the season and 0-1 in region play.
Nothing went right for BHS all night as they were only able to muster a 16 play 80-yard TD drive for the only score of the night on the first play of the second quarter.
Richmond Hill’s offense dominated the Pirate defense all night long which led to a running clock in the 4th quarter of a home region football game.
The Pirates travel to Effingham next Friday to try and regroup against the Rebels from Springfield.
This performance was very disappointing coming off back to back wins against New Hampstead and Monroe.
Pirate Report Card.
Offense: F. Other than one drive the offense didn’t do much on the evening.
QB KJ Lee was ineffective and the offensive line got beat consistently by the Wildcat front 7. Wide Receivers had too many drops. It was just an overall bad effort by BHS on the offensive side.
Defense: F. This was the worst defensive effort I have witnessed watching BHS football in recent memory.
There were penalties, missed tackles, physically whipped up front, couldn’t get off blocks, blown assignments in the secondary, and the list goes on.
F is the lowest grade on the grading scale, but if a Y or Z could be issued it would have been earned in this contest. The effort was lacking and this unit just looked bad.
Special Teams: C. Mitchell Richburg punted all night from inside his own 20-yard line. Translation that’s not good. The punt coverage was good. It may have been the only bright spot of the night.
Coaching: D. The game plan if executed would have been good enough to win, but this one is one the players not the coaches. However, when you get beat 41-7 at home the grade can’t be much higher than this on the coaching scale.
Overall: F. The players mailed it in at the half. That pretty much sums it up. You can’t sugarcoat lack of effort. This team never showed up in this contest. Very disappointing effort by the football team in this contest.
Next up Effingham on the road in what looks like a must win for Brunswick’s playoff hopes.
Frederica Academy Knights Trot To Win
By: Rich Bontrager
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
For the second consecutive week the Frederica Knights enjoyed “running clock” the entire second half of their game and claimed a 48-2 victory of Westfield School.
With the atmosphere extra charged up for Homecoming ceremonies, the Frederica Knights Football squad came extra prepared to make sure the crowd enjoyed a complete celebration.
Frederica would once again receive the coin flip and elect to start on defense.
Westfield’s first possession only lasted four plays before he had to punt to the Knights.
Frederica would respond by scoring the first of 2 first-quarter touchdowns. First running back, Denver Anthony, scored from 22 yards out and a few moments later, Jaylin Simpson (QB) to Josh Meadows (WR) 24-yard pass reception.
William Brock made both of his point-after kicks making it 14-0 after one-quarter of play.
The Knight’s defense would effectively shut down the Hornets offense all night long, while Frederica’s offense worked at sizzling pace and scored almost at will.
By the end of the first half, Frederica controlled all aspects of the game and found themselves up 41-3.
One exciting play was when Jaylin Simpson stepped forward and intercepted Christin Corbett’s pass attempt. Simpson would run it back 56 yards for yet another Frederica touchdown.
In the first half, Simpson connected on a 55-yard TD pass to senior receiver, Jashawn Sheffield.
Coach Brandon Derrick not only celebrated his team’s 5th consecutive win, but he also stood by as his daughter was crowned homecoming Queen for 2018.
“In all, this was a great night for everyone,” Coach Derrick stated after the game.
With a running clock the entire second half, Frederica was once again able to rest many of their starters and allow many underclassmen to gain more real game time experience.
The ability to groom the younger players at this stage of the season only adds to the strength and depth of an already powerhouse Knights team, as the Knights advanced to 5-2 in the season, only three regular season games remain.
Fans and coaches are beginning to look ahead to the much anticipated final game against Bulloch Academy. The Gators suffered their first loss of the season, 29-15, to John Milledge Academy.
The table is being set for an exciting finish to the season, as the March to Mercer heats up.
Next week, the Knights remain at home and welcome, Trinity Christian to the island.
Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. on the Frederica Academy Campus
Frederica Blast Patriots
By: Rich Bontrager
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Frederica Academy Knights kicked off the second half of the season with a bang as they entered region play.
Friday night the Knights traveled to Bellville, GA to play the Pinewood Christian Patriots.
For the first time all season, the Knights would receive the opening kickoff and start on offense.
Jaylin Simpson (Sr) would start at QB for the first time since his injury in the second game of the season.
Denver Anthony (QB) reportedly had a minor injury to his throwing arm and was used primarily as a running back and receiver throughout the game.
With the Knights coming off a bye week, the team was back at full strength with several other injured players back in the line up as well.
Frederica’s offense would go “no-huddle” and uptempo most of the night and frustrated Pinewood to no end.
The Knights would score twice in the first quarter, three times in the second and lead 32-0 at halftime.
Scoring highlights in the first-half included an impressive 33-yard rushing touchdown by Isaiah Jackson (RB), and Denver Anthony running in both a 7 yard and 22 yard TD.
“I think our offense really ran things well most of the night,” said Coach Brandon Derrick. “I was very pleased that we kept our pace all night.”
By half-time, the Patriots had only gained close to 50-yards in total offense, as the Knights defense swarmed to the ball and made it tough for Mic Wasson (Fr, QB) to have any time to set up well in the pocket and throw the ball.
It was a rough Homecoming game for the Patriot fans to watch as the offense fumbled the ball, threw an interception and had no offense until the second half.
The second half was on a running clock and saw many line up changes for the Frederica Knights.
JT Elliot and Thomas Veal both saw action at QB before Simpson was put back in to seal the victory.
With the change in lineup, the Knights defense gave up two TD’s to Pinewood and to two 2-point conversions to avoid a shutout.
The Knights would tack on one more score when Avery Cobb rushed down the near side of the field and scored on a 52-yard rushing play.
The score was made possible by a big surge of the Knight’s offensive line. A line produced big holes and great passing protection all night long.
“The kids played extremely well, and yet we gave two scores that cost us the shutout,” commented Coach Derrick. “Right now, it’s just the small details that we need to focus in on and tighten up on. But overall we are looking great for a big finish.”
The Knights now stand at 4-2 after getting the 39-16 win and spoiling another team’s Homecoming celebration.
Next week, Frederica will celebrate their Homecoming and host Westfield School on Saint Simons Island.
Sailing Pirates
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
One a hot muggy night at Glynn County Stadium the Brunswick High Pirates beat Monroe 42-6 on Homecoming.
Taylor Zachry was crowned the 2018 Homecoming Queen and KJ Lee passed for 3 TD’s and close to 300 yards.
Jaylen Trimmings rushed for two TD’s as the Pirate offense clicked on all cylinders and the Pirate defense continued to improve.
The Pirates now enter region play with a 3-3 record on the season as Richmond Hill comes to Glynn County Stadium for the region opener next Friday.
Pirate Report Card:
Offense: A+. The offense clicked all night long.
KJ Lee had another great game for the second week in a row. Lee tossed 3 TD’s to three different receivers.
Che Foy had another solid game with a TD catch. Amarrion Whitfield had a nice TD catch in traffic. Xavier “The Touchdown Machine” Bean caught his fifth touchdown on the season.
Jaylen Trimmings had TD runs of 49 and 2 yards and finished the game with right at 100 yards rushing.
The Pirate offensive line dominated the front seven of Monroe all night long. This was the best offensive performance of the year just in time for region play. This unit gets better week by week.
Defense: B+. The unit gave up some yards in the first half, but it set the tone after the half with a key sack by Octavius Butler on Monroe’s first possession and AJ Wilson added a 33- yard scoop and score to put the Pirates up 35-6.
Butler also recovered a fumble in the third quarter. Freddy Towns is the best defensive back in the region with another solid performance. The Pirate defense has only given up 12 points in the last 7 quarters and continues to improve.
Special Teams: A. Demetrius Hardee set up a TD late in the first half with a nice punt return and the Pirates made all 6- PAT’s. Kick coverage was pretty good most of the night. Best special teams’ effort of the season by BHS.
Coaching: A. BHS was well prepared in this contest. The offensive game-plan was excellent.
The up-tempo style kept Monroe off balance all night long. Adjustments were made at the half on defense and pressure was dialed up in the second half and forced Monroe into some turnovers.
The coaching staff has done a good job getting these kids ready for region play next week.
The Pirates were dealing with some injuries to key defensive starters in the contest, but the coaches plugged the holes and had the team ready to play at a high level.
Overall: A. The Homecoming win was the most complete effort of the year by this football team.
The team clicked on offense, the defense scored a TD and a special teams punt return set up a TD to put Brunswick up 21-6 right before the half.
The team is starting to peak as region play starts next Friday.
Next up Is Richmond Hill. The Wildcats travel to Brunswick next for the region opener. Brunswick has never lost to Richmond Hill in football.
The Pirates now stand 3-3 on the season. The next 4 games will determine the fate of the 2018 Brunswick High Pirates.
Get ready for a fun ride Pirate fans in the month of October.
Statesboro Blues
By: Josh Aubrey
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
For the third straight week the Statesboro Blue Devils had three or more turnovers and once again it proved costly. Despite trailing by only seven in the fourth quarter the Blue Devils were unable to convert when they had to and dropped a 22-6 decision at West Laurens.
“For whatever reason in some areas we are not being very coachable,” said Statesboro coach Jeff Kaiser. “We work on ball security daily. We get into the heat of the battle and panic. We need to get mentally tougher.”
The Blue Devils had the lead cut to seven and were driving early in the fourth quarter.
The offense was able to get inside the Raiders eight-yard line, but a sack on third and eight pushed them back to the 12. Kaiser elected to go for a 29-yard field goal but Cody Parker’s attempt sailed wide left and the Raiders took over.
The Blue Devil defense forced a punt but the Raiders pinned the Blue Devils at their own 10-yard line. A holding penalty moved the ball back to the five-yard line and then Statesboro quarterback Drake Horton was called for intentional grounding in the end zone, resulting in a safety and a 15-6 West Laurens lead.
The Raiders then took the free kick and marched 60 yards for their final points of the game. Dorian Edmond capped off the drive with a three-yard touchdown for a final score of 22-6.
“I thought once again our defense played well,” Kaiser said. “We just kept putting them on the field a lot and in bad situations.”
After Statesboro went three and out the Raiders took their opening drive and got down to the Statesboro five-yard line. Consecutive holding calls moved them back and they had to settle for a 46-yard Cam Coup field goal for a 3-0 lead.
West Laurens converted on a fake punt on their next offensive series. That was followed by a 35-yard pass from R.J. Mathis to Brent Carr. Capping the scoring Mathis rolled left and found E.J. Holmes for a five-yard score and a 10-0 Raider lead.
Late in the first Statesboro’s offense looked like it was finally getting on track. Jaylen Roberson (174 yards rushing) busted free on a 55-yard run to the West Laurens 19. Two plays later the Blue Devils fumbled and the Raiders took over.
In the second the Statesboro defense came through with a big play. Corey McCullough stripped the ball right out of the hands of Dorian Edmonds and Statesboro took over at the West Laurens 12-yard line. Two plays later McCullough got rewarded as he busted free up the middle for an 8-yard touchdown. The extra point failed, leaving the score 10-6.
Statesboro outgained West Laurens in total offense 243 to 228, marking the second straight game the Blue Devils have outgained their opponent in a loss.
The three turnover brings the Blue Devil total to 10 turnovers in their last three losses.
“I’m proud of our kids, they are playing hard,” Kaiser said. “Our goal is to get to game 11. Our goal is still attainable. We still have some good teams left on our schedule, but I feel we are a pretty good team ourselves. The trick now is to keep our kids spirits up and not let them get dragged down by some of the poison that can come from some people in this community.”
Pirate Rally
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Down 21-0 going into the second quarter, Head Coach Sean Pender inserted KJ Lee at QB. Lee turned in a memorable performance and rallied the Brunswick High Pirates to a dramatic 31-27 over New Hampstead at Glynn County Stadium.
Lee led the Pirates on an 88-yard game winning drive with 1:54 remaining in the contest as he connected with Che Foy on a spectacular 20-yard TD pass with 12 seconds left.
Foy caught a pass near the sideline faked a defender then leaped the final 3 yards into the end zone.
The Pirates outscored the Phoenix 31-6 over the last three quarters. Freddy Towns leaped up and knocked down a last second Hail Mary toss to secure the win.
The win improved the Pirates record to 2-3 on the season while New Hampstead dropped to 2-2 on the season.
The comeback win may be just what the doctor ordered to jump start a playoff run by Brunswick moving forward.
Pirate Report Card.
Offense: B+. The Pirates were held scoreless in the first quarter, then once Lee was inserted in the game the Pirates scored 13 points before the half.
After the half the Pirate offense completely dominated the second half by running the football right down New Hampstead’s throat and the Phoenix wore down as the game progressed.
KJ Lee was the player of the game. The BHS offensive line dominated the contest. Che Foy had his best game as a Pirate. Xavier Bean caught his 4th TD pass of the season and the backfield combo of Jaylen Trimmings and Chucolbe Hill chewed up yardage in chunks in the second half.
This unit wore New Hampstead down as the game entered the later stages. This unit now has confidence moving forward. The intensity and execution of game plan is a welcome sight as region play starts in two weeks.
Defense: C. The unit looked awful in the first quarter and gave up an 89-yard TD pass in third quarter but this unit hung in there and did enough to put BHS in position to win the football game late in the contest.
Yes, improvement needs to be made in all areas of defense. It starts with giving up too many big plays.
The defense was minus two key starters in the contest. The unit played with much more intensity from a week ago and it showed in the second half.
Special Teams: C. A missed PAT forced the offense into having to go for two three times in second half. The kick coverage was ok and kick return made a couple of nice returns.
Coaching: B+. The game plan worked as planned with the up-tempo style on offense. The Pirates had New Hampstead worn down with game on the line.
Play calling was great and despite some key starters missing for BHS the staff made the right adjustments at the half to slow down the New Hampstead offense.
Coach Pender stressed intensity and execution all week in practice and everything went as planned with game on the line. Nice rebound from the Camden game.
Overall: B-. This team needed a win badly and they got it. It wasn’t pretty at times but it was effective when it counted.
BHS may look back and on this win as the one that jump started the season. This was a big win for the program.
Terrors Get Chomped
By: Jason Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Glynn Academy Red Terrors got some good news before they ever even took the field Friday night against Ware County.
The Red Terrors were awarded with a forfeit win over Fort Dorchester. Glynn played Fort Dorchester in week one and took a 37-21 loss to the Patriots.
The governing body of athletics for the state of South Carolina deemed that Fort Dorchester had been playing with an ineligible player and would be required to forfeit all games the ineligible player had participated in.
Thus, the loss Glynn had to the Patriots became a 1-0 win due to the forfeit. The forfeit improved the Red Terrors’ record from 2-2 to 3-1 heading into the game with rival, Ware County.
Glynn Academy had won 5 straight against Ware and had not lost to their rival since 2014.
Ware County was coming off a bye week and was looking to regain control of the series; the Gators had owned the Red Terrors for over a decade before Glynn started its streak.
The Gators came into the Glynn game at 3-1, with their only loss to archrival Coffee County by a touchdown.
However, the first half would not be kind to the Red Terrors. Ware would punt on their first possession of the game and then score touchdowns on their next three possessions.
The Gators would miss 2 extra points and went into the locker room at the half up 19-0 over Rocky Hidalgo’s Red Terrors.
The Terrors would answer to start the second half. Glynn put together a solid drive and would punch the ball into the end zone on a 2-yard run by QB TJ Lewis. The Terrors would have the PAT blocked but would get to within 2 score 19-6.
The Gators would immediately answer. Ware would score a long TD on the very next play for a 26-6 lead.
Ware County would go into “clock kill” mode on offense and eventually salted away the clock.
Ware would come away with a 26-6 win. The loss is the 2nd in a row for the Red Terrors and their record falls to 3-2.
Glynn Academy will travel to Kingsland next week to take on the Camden County Wildcats. Camden is 3-1 on the season.
Knights Continue To Trot
By: Rich Bontrager
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
For the third consecutive week the Frederica Knights dominated their opponent, this time August Prep and came away with an easy win of 44-13.
The lop-sided victory began as the Knights defense forced the Cavaliers to punt after their opening drive stalled out.
Four plays later, Coach Brandon Derrick’s offensive would score on a Denver Anthony (QB) pass to Sophomore receiver Jaiden Rose-Scally. With 9:18 remaining in the first quarter, and the extra point was good Frederica was up 7-0.
Moments later, the Knights would force a turn over and the score on the very next play. The score highlighted the speed and agility of Jashawn Sheffield (Sr) as he rushed for 18 yards and helped his team to an early 14-0 advantage.
By half-time Frederica was controlling all aspects of the game and leading August Prep Day 41-7.
The Knights Special teams contributed to the victory in a big way as Junior Kicker William Brock connected on all but one of his point after kicks.
Plus, Isaiah Jackson would return yet another kick off for 75 yards.
Throughout the game, Augusta Day Prep struggled to make clean snaps between Quarterback and center, which caused several broken plays with sloppy hand offs and the inability to get any offensive flow to the game.
The Knights defense keyed off of these mistakes and would sack Justin Meddings three times and force an interception.
The second half was all running clock to help move the game along and not have the Cavaliers’ homecoming events totally ruined.
With start of the third quarter, Freshman QB Thomas Veal (Fr.) would lead the offensive squad. Such lengthy play time for younger players in real ball games is only strengthening the depth chart of a team that is showing great potential of being crowned state champion.
The Knights final score would come with 9:08 left to go in the third quarter. Frederica would have to settle for only 3 points as William Brock would kick a 35-yard field to seal the victory.
With the victory, Frederica improves to 3-2, while Augusta Prep Day continues to look for their first win of 2018.
The Knights will have the coming week off and then will return to action on Friday, Sept. 28th. The off week will allow for several players to get healed up and return to the line to help their teammates battle powerhouse Pinewood Christian Academy.
Pirates Sunk By Camden
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Camden County rolled into Glynn County Stadium and ruined the BHS home opener by blowing out the Brunswick High Pirates 37-0.
It was a total lackluster effort by the Pirates who suffered an embarrassing home loss.
Coming off a bye week the Pirates were just off all night on offense and as the game progressed the defense wore down and gave up some big plays.
Anthony Mountain came off the bench and led the offense on a couple of nice drives in the second half in relief of KJ Lee. Mountain’s performance may have created a QB battle moving forward.
Pirate Report Card:
Offense: F. The offense was offensive. The offensive line got manhandled. The QB play was not much better and forced a QB change in the third quarter.
Mountain came in and did some good things and maybe earned the opportunity to start next week. The wide receivers had key drops and the Pirates had two more turnovers. The Pirates were held to 58 yards rushing and 225 yards of total offense.
Defense: D. This grade would have been higher but I felt this group mailed it in during the 4th quarter of the contest.
You can’t beat anyone when you give 7.8 yards per play in a football game. BHS had talented defensive backs getting beaten too easily and the run defense was good in spots but just got worn down due to lack of production from the offense.
Special Teams: B. Mitchell Richburg had a good night punting the football and you know it is a long night when your punter is a candidate for player of the game. The opening kickoff was a touchback. A nice Improvement made in this area.
Coaching: D. This team did not play well. And late in the first half Camden ran the same play three straight times for a TD, Camden stoned the BHS offense.
The Pirates had nine penalties on the night and came out after the halftime break flat. Being on a running clock in the 4th quarter is never good.
Overall: D. Back to the drawing board for BHS.
This was just an awful performance and there is nowhere to go but up now. This team has the talent and potential to be a good football team but it needs to become mentally tougher.
There is no excuse to get beat 37-0 at home. This team will improve and get better when region play starts in October. Time to forget this one and move forward. This teams needs its talent to play up to its talent level.
Statesboro Killed By Turnovers Against Effingham
By: Josh Aubrey
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Last year it was a wild shootout between Statesboro and Effingham that saw the Rebels come from 20 points down to win in Springfield 38-34.
This time around instead of a shootout, the Blue Devils shot themselves in the foot, with three first half turnovers that proved too much to come back from, as Statesboro fell 20-15 to drop to 2-2 on the season.
“The last thing we told our kids was to protect the football,” said Statesboro coach Jeff Kaiser. “Three turnovers, with one going for a touchdown really killed us. We beat ourselves, they didn’t beat us.”
Statesboro actually outgained Effingham County with 312 yards of total offense to only 120 for the Rebels but it would be the three Statesboro turnovers that would prove to be the difference in this one.
The Blue Devil offense was in excellent field position on their first drive of the game. Jaylen Roberson broke a tackle and went 45 yards before being brought down at the Effingham seven-yard line. The offense stalled and then on third down a bobbled exchange resulted in the ball being loose. After both teams scrambled around the Rebels finally fell on it at their own 35-yard line.
With no score through one quarter of play Statesboro’s defense got them the ball back, as Flip Dixon picked off a Jerid Stokes pass, giving the Blue Devils the ball at the 35.
A few plays later Statesboro quarterback Drake Horton was intercepted himself and the Rebels took over at midfield.
It wouldn’t take the Rebels long to score as Stokes hooked up with tight end Necos Gadson on a crossing pattern and he would go the rest of the way untouched for a 37-yard touchdown and the Rebels had a 7-0 lead.
Coach Kaiser then put Sage Reese in at quarterback for the first time this year and things didn’t go well.
On the first play from scrimmage Reese was stood up and while fighting ahead the ball was stripped away and scooped up by the Rebels Joseph Solomon, who would go 35 yards for the touchdown. The two-point conversion failed and Effingham was on top 13-0.
On the ensuing kickoff the Blue Devils Will Yawn gave Statesboro a bit of a spark with a 38-yard kickoff return into Rebel territory.
The offense then proceeded to march downfield, with linebacker turned running back Corey McCullough doing a lot of the damage. McCullough would cap the drive with a 11-yard touchdown run.
McCullough would then punch in the two-point conversion, cutting the lead to 13-8, with 2:35 left in the half. That score would hold into halftime.
The Rebels came out of the third quarter and promptly went on a five-minute drive, capped off by a seven-yard Desmond House touchdown which extended the lead to 20-8.
The Blue Devil offense was unable to get going until late in the game as they went 70 yards on their final drive of the game, aided by a couple Effingham penalties.
The drive culminated in a seven-yard touchdown pass from Horton to Yawn to cut the lead to 20-15 with less than a minute to go.
The Blue Devil onside kick attempt was recovered by the Rebels, who were able to take a couple knees and run out the clock, as they improved to 4-1 on the season.
“Our kids played hard but I didn’t think we played too smart tonight,” Kaiser said. “We will tell our kids they can listen to the poison out there if they want to, or you can come back to work, and put your nose down and try to get better. It doesn’t get any easier.”
Up next Statesboro travels to West Laurens next Friday night for a non-region matchup.
