High School Football
The Human Tackling Machine
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
I was sitting around in a hotel room in Haiti last week thinking about local high school football and in my 40 plus years of being a football fanatic in Glynn County you openly debate things in your mind, like who was better the better team the 1999 Pirates or the 2015 Terrors?
Who was better Darius Slay or Dee Jay Dallas? The list can go on and on, but then I asked myself ‘who is the most productive linebacker in all of your years watching football in this county’ and the name that comes immediately to mind is the heart and soul of the 2017 Glynn Academy Red Terror football team and his name is Hunter Hall.
Spring Game Report Card
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Several weeks ago Brunswick High School and Glynn Academy renewed an old tradition of having an annual spring football game as the Pirates beat the Terrors 21-12 in the varsity portion of the contest. Both squads had 9 days of practice to prepare for the contest.
Glynn Academy and Brunswick High Scrimmage
By: Jason Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Spring Scrimmage has come and gone for the Glynn Academy Red Terrors and the Brunswick High Pirates.
The two squads took advantage of a rule passed by the GHSA allowing a spring scrimmage to be played against another school if so desired.
The cross-town rivals took advantage and played one half of varsity football against one another to a pretty large crowd for a spring scrimmage.
Pirates Dynamic Duo
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
In comic books you have the dynamic duo Batman and Robin, in sports you had Jordan and Pippen, Shaq and Kobe, and the list goes on and on.
At Brunswick High you have the dynamic duo on the Pirate offensive line returning for their senior years John Cano and Ty Hinson.
Brunswick High Pirates 2017 Preview
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
On February 1st, 2017 the Sean Pender era started at Brunswick High School. Since that time, Pender has brought a new mind set to Altama Avenue.
Glynn Academy 2017 Preview
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The big dog in Glynn County sports currently is the Glynn Academy Red Terror football program. For three straight years the Terrors have advanced three rounds or higher in the playoffs with a state title game appearance in 2015.
I sat down to lunch this week with head football coach Rocky Hidalgo and discussed the upcoming Spring practice which begins on May 3rd and finishes with the Spring Game against Brunswick on May 19th at Glynn County Stadium.
McIntosh County Academy Hires New Coach
By: Jason Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Not even one year ago, the McIntosh County Buccaneers were in the third quarter of a state title game in Atlanta; poised to score the go-ahead touchdown.
However, that was not meant to be as a fumble derailed that opportunity and then the floodgates opened in the fourth. Macon County sent the Buccaneers home with the runner-up trophy.
Much has changed in the span of four months. The Bucs will go into the 2018 campaign with a new Head Coach and Athletic Director.
Pender’s Promises
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Earlier in the month new Brunswick High Football coach Sean Pender spoke to a packed house of Pirate supporters at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Glynn.
It was a meet and greet event where Pender got to meet the Pirate fan base for the first time since his hiring.
Glynn Academy Sends 16 To Next Level
By: Jason Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
National Signing Day has come and gone and the Glynn Academy Red Terrors had 16 kids sign to play at the next level…yes, 16.
Rocky Hidalgo has built a juggernaut in the short three years he has been at Glynn. When you have 16 kids sign to play college football there is no denying.
DeeJay Dallas-Dallas was a Georgia commit until the firing of Mark Richt. Kirby Smart and his coaching staff had other priorities than Dallas, thus driving the Glynn QB to follow Mark Richt to Miami. Georgia will regret not getting this ‘do-everything’ gifted athlete. Dallas has already enrolled at Mia
Zalon’tae Hillery-Hillery ended up being one of the most sought after offensive lineman in the country. Hillery was thought to be going to Miami all along, until some last-minute indecision. Hillery was strongly considering Kentucky until a phone conversation with Mark Richt eased his indecision and Hillery was back in the Canes fold.
Preston Joseph-Joseph was a Stallworth on the Glynn defense and despite being slightly undersized the Red Terror standout played his way to a Georgia Military College.
Devon Peacock-As the season went on for Glynn, Peacock got better and better. So much so that Georgia State decided to offer him a preferred walk on spot. With Peacock’s abilities he will garner a scholarship in Atlanta sooner rather than later.
Xavier McClinton-The one Terror that did not commit on signing day was Xavier McClinton. McClinton got offers from Georgia Tech, Stetson and FAMU.
Quintavius Walker-Good offensive linemen are hard to find. Walker did a great job run blocking all year and protecting DeeJay Dallas at QB. Eastern Arizona took notice and got Walker to commit. This is a steal for Eastern Arizona.
Quandry Mosely-Speaking of steals for Eastern Arizona, here is another. Quandry Mosely is a ball hawking safety that can also play receiver. Mosely is 6’2 and 170 pounds and I think will become one of the better safeties to ever play at Eastern Arizona.
Amari Cross-It is a long-standing tradition at Glynn Academy; if your last name is Cross you are going to play football at Glynn. Amari Cross was no exception and was a pillar for the Terror running attack this season on the offensive line. Kennesaw State took notice and offered Amari Cross a preferred walk on spot. With Cross’s size and footwork he will have every opportunity to garner a scholarship for the Owls.
Devin Roberson-Roberson was one of the better pass rushers in the region. Ridgewater College got a huge commitment from Roberson, who has a motor that doesn’t stop.
Travis Harris-Harris came on strong as the season progressed and showed his abilities in the secondary. He committed to Ridgewater College.
Shakour Thomas-Thomas was one of DeeJay Dallas’s favorite targets at receiver and showed a lot of big play potential. He is one of seven Terrors to commit to Ridgewater College.
Vance Rowe-Rowe was a vastly underrated player for the Terrors. Ridgewater College will certainly look to develop Rowe in the secondary.
Tre Sailem-Sailem was one of the better corners for the Terrors. He has everything you could want in a DB. Another Ridgewater College steal.
Trashawn Bacon-Ridgewater College gets an underrated OL in Trashawn Bacon. Bacon did an amazing job for the Terrors all year.
Jeremiah Anderson-Anderson came back from a serious knee injury this season and was a key contributor running the ball for Glynn. He may be the most talented player that Ridgewater College signed.
Pirates Signing Day
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Coming off of a disappointing 5-5 last place region finish, the Brunswick High Pirates had 7 players sign Letter of Intents to further their education and football careers.
D’Ante Demery- University of Georgia: The 4-star recruit signed with the UGA’s top 5 class. The 320-pound offensive tackle is part of the best OL group ever assembled in UGA recruiting circles and whether Demery gets on the field as a freshman will be determined. This kid has a chance to be in the NFL in 3-4 years.
Shawn Smith- University of Virginia: Great pickup by UVA. Smith is fast and a great athlete and could be a good WR at the college level. I think Smith is a pretty good DB and could land there. Virginia has a great athlete in their program. Smith might possibly return some kicks as well. He will bulk up quickly in a college strength and conditioning program.
Danijah Gammage- Mercer University: Mercer got a great football player. Gammage is a hitter and has great ball skills. I think Gammage has the potential to develop into an NFL caliber player while he is in college. He reminds me a lot of Tracy Walker coming out of BHS. He will get bigger and stronger in Macon.
Deqwan Chapman- Albany State University: Chapman was a solid corner for BHS now he heads to a solid college football program and I think he will end up being at ASU. Good kid and a good player.
Wiley Golden- Tusculum College: Golden will take his talents to the prestigious private college in Greeneville, Tennessee. Golden is an excellent student and has great hands at the TE position. Golden’s academic accomplishments are stellar and he is a pretty good football player on top of it. I’m very proud of this young man.
Jabori Williams- Hutchinson Community College: You can’t teach size and at 6’4 330 pounds Williams is huge. I expect him to contribute right away and bigger things will happen for this young man in a couple of years. He is just learning how to play OL.
Brandon McMaster- University of Georgia (Preferred Walk-On): What if this young man did not battle injuries his entire senior year? He goes to UGA as a PWO because this kid has a 3.5 GPA and has already graduated and is the example of opportunities that come around to folks who get it done in the classroom. This kid is a great football player and it would no surprise me one bit if he does not end contributing in Athens. UGA got a steal here.
BHS has talent and has kids that get it done in the classroom. The future is bright for the Pirates as they could sign 10 or more players next February with the huge senior class returning.
But for the seven that signed on signing day, as a Pirate alum I just want to thank you for all of the blood, sweat, and tears you shed to lay the foundation for future Pirates. Thank you and as always Pirate Pride!
