Frederica Academy Knights Destroys Bethesda
By: Alex Mathis
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Frederica Knights traveled to Savannah to take on Bethesda Day School and brought a lot of the rain they had on St. Simons this week with them.
Frederica got off the bus and only had the pleasure of staying dry for about 10 minutes. The rest of the night they would be saturated with water.
The Knights started off very fast. The first play of the game saw Jaylin Simpson sprinting up the sideline on a quarterback zone read.
The next play was not as positive. Jaylin Simpson tried connected with Santana Clark in the end zone for a long pass but was intercepted by the Bethesda defender. The ensuing defensive play the Knights registered a safety by defensive tackle Cole Hinson. This would be the last play for 45 minutes due to a lighting delay.
When play resumed the Knights’ offense dominated. The Knights scored quickly out of the break with Jaylin Simpson connecting with Santana Clark on a screen pass. The rain did not seem to slow the Knights down on the night.
Jaylin Simpson scored on an 80-yard touchdown run to keep the scoring going. Trace Dorminy got in on the quarterback rushing touchdowns as well by scoring on a quarterback keeper. Trace also found sophomore, Avery Cobb for a touchdown.
Isaiah Jackson did a great job running the ball is well. His field vision allows him to make every run an opportunity for 6. Jackson found pay dirt as well on the night.
Senior Rett Thompson ran the ball hard viscously on the night. Thompson found the end zone twice on the night. He had a rushing touchdown and also a kick return for a touchdown as well. The Knights went on to score 49 straight points. There were a lot of freshmen that got to see action on the night. This will pay off as the season progresses.
The Frederica defense was lights out. Led by Harry Veal, the Knights forced several turnovers on the night.
Harry Veal is may be one of the best linebackers in Glynn County this year. He could be one of those guys we watch on Saturdays.
There were a few highlights plays on defense. Hard hits by Deke Jernigan, Tyler Pierce, Josh Meadows, Matthew Hagstrom, and others and also an interception and big return by Santana Clark.
The biggest play on defense came from junior defensive back, Jackson Wetzler. Wetzler broke on a bubble screen from his cornerback position and intercepted the ball and returned it 50 yards for the pick 6. This was indeed the defensive play of the night.
Frederica’s youngsters did a great job as well. William Brock, Eli Fritchman, Kyle Perez, Josh Elliot, and Will Counts all made excellent defensive plays on the night.
The Knights finished off Bethesda 62-12. Head Coach Brandon Derrick addressed his team at the end of the game. He praised his team for coming in, battling the conditions and dominating the game the way they did.
Frederica has a huge game next week. This week will be a GISA versus GHSA battle in Atlanta against Wesleyan. FA will face a very talented and disciplined team that has a few division 1 players.
This is will be a test but Coach Derrick knew that when Wesleyan was scheduled. Coach Derrick’s favorite message to his team is, “In the words of Ric Flair, if you want to be the man you have to beat the man.”
The Knights will step into the ring next week to take on the man and they hope to make some noise in Atlanta.
Glynn Academy Beats Ware….Again
By: Christian Goeckel
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
What a difference a week can make. Glynn’s 31- 7 victory over Ware County was a huge momentum boost after the week one loss to Benedictine.
This time last week some were wondering if the success of Glynn’s past three seasons was behind them. Now those same people are wondering just how far the Terrors can go.
The Gators of Ware County came into this game under the impression that they were facing a down team. Instead, they ran into a meat grinder of a team that was looking to take it’s frustrations out on someone.
Offensively, Glynn was finally able to get the ball moving down hill. Coach Hidalgo stressed all week the importance of getting the dive game going. Well they did, and a whole lot more.
Like Denzel Washington’s Coach Boone said in “Remember the Titans”, the option offense is like novocaine, “Just give it time, always works.”, and work it did. Glynn rushed to the tune of 303 yards and were a couple shoestring tackles away from a lot more. Caine Crews was the bell cow, rushing 21 times for 139 yards.
The offensive line, which Coach Rock credited with a good performance last week, was borderline dominant in this one. Glynn running backs consistently found huge holes to run through.
Passing the ball wasn’t necessary much of the game, but when they did Jernigan looked more comfortable. Jernigan completed 2 of 3 attempts, but it was the noticeably different pace on the ball that has to be encouraging for Glynn as his injured right shoulder continues to heal.
Defensively, it was very much a bend but don’t break mindset in the first half. Gator’s quarterback Jeremiah O’hara was able to move his team up and down the field, but Glynn always came away with a 3rd down stop or turnover. Diandrez Wilcox was a huge part of that, forcing two fumbles and recovering one.
The return of linebacker Cameron McClellan can’t be overstated. His play was sorely missed, but his presence was missed even more. The defense looked much more comfortable behind his direction, along with that of Hunter Hall.
Once Glynn’s offense got going, the Terror’s defense was able to pin its ears back and attack as Ware had to pass more. E.J. Thomas constantly harassed the Ware County backs behind the line of scrimmage.
Just like last year, Glynn was able to steady itself against Ware after a week one loss, but this one seemed different. This game was a statement that the Terrors are not a team to be forgotten or looked over.
This team has studs all over the field and more coming back from injuries weekly. Glynn started to find it’s footing this week and everyone else in Southeast Georgia should be on notice.
Glynn Academy now goes on the road for the first time this year. Their opponent, Tift County, has outscored their opponents 76-7 in their first two games. The game will kick off at 7:30.
Sophomore running back Nolan Grant is getting more comfortable, rushing for 64 yards including a 20 yard touchdown.
Freshman Caden Hutchinson punched in his first career touchdown in the fourth.
Senior running back Tyler Grant returned from last year’s ACL injury. He played sparingly and left the field with what appeared to be a leg injury, but returned to the game.
Cameron McClellan returned to action nursing a foot injury. The injury isn’t expected to cost him anymore game time.
For the second year in a row, after allowing points in the first, Glynn was able to shut the Gators out in the final three quarters.
Miami Hurricanes Preview
By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The University of Miami has to be one of the greatest programs in recent history. Most traditional powerhouses like Notre Dame, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan or USC were dominant back in the 1930’s and 40’s. Miami won their first national championship in 1983 and won a total of five in 18 years (1983-2001).
The Hurricanes have also had their share of controversy, being placed on probation by the NCAA a few times. Most recently they were on probation for 3 years and that just ended October 2016.
The Canes defected from the Big East and joined the ACC in 2004 along with Boston College and Virginia Tech. Since joining the ACC they’ve never won a conference championship or even played in the ACC Championship game.
This could be the year for that to change. Long time Georgia head coach Mark Richt returned to his alma mater last season. He led them to a 9-4 record and a win in the Russell Athletic Bowl over No. 14 West Virginia (10-3).
They have to replace prolific quarterback Brad Kaaya, who left school early for the NFL. He wasn’t selected until the sixth round (215th overall) so he honestly should have stayed at U of M but that’s a discussion for another day.
Junior Malik Rosier is the only QB on the roster with any experience, throwing two touchdowns and three picks in 61 career pass attempts. The fan favorite is dual-threat freshman N’Kosi Perry.
The offensive line also needs to improve drastically. They struggled in pass protection last season. They are comprised of three seniors and two juniors so they have experience.
Junior running back Mark Walton should have another big year. He ran for 1,117 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2016. He finished second to Lamar Jackson in the number of votes for the All-ACC preseason team this year.
Ahmmon Richards was one of three Canes to be named a Freshman All-American. The speedy receiver led Miami last season in receiving yards and yards per catch.
Manny Diaz was hired as defensive coordinator in January after one year at Mississippi State. Miami has one of the best D-lines in the country, with a gifted front four of Chad Thomas (11 tackles for loss last season), Kendrick Norton (10 TFLs), RJ McIntosh (nine TFLs) and Joe Jackson (8.5 sacks as a freshman last year).
The defense only gave up 18.5 points per game last year, 12th-fewest in the country. A trio of freshman linebackers started last year. Two of them, Shaquille Quarterman and Michael Pinckney were named to the freshman All-American team. The secondary is where they might struggle. They were ranked 47th in passing defense.
Playing in the much weaker Coastal division means they have an easier chance at playing in the ACC Championship game. They don’t have Louisville or Clemson on the schedule.
The season opens with FCS Bethune-Cookman. The next week is at Arkansas State. This is basically the college version of preseason games, both easy blowout wins.
Things will get drastically harder week 3, which is in Tallahassee against No. 3 FSU. I think they’ll lose.
The only game after this that they may not be favored in is home against Notre Dame on November 11. The last out of conference game is against Toledo and the other Atlantic division opponent is Syracuse. Based on superior talent they should also run through Duke, Pitt, GA Tech, Virginia, VA Tech and North Carolina.
I think Miami can realistically win ten regular season games and finally compete to win the ACC.
North Carolina Tar Heels Preview
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
You’ll have to excuse North Carolina football fans if they’re simultaneously over-zealous, yet skeptical, about any decent football coach their school gets.
You see, after witnessing arguably the most successful ten year period in their program’s history during the Mack Brown era, they still vividly remember losing him to Texas after back to back 10 win seasons. It’s embedded in their psyche, really.
After the coaching carousel they went through after Brown’s departure- Carl Torbush (the Matt Doherty of Carolina football coaches); John Bunting (nice guy, bad coach); Butch Davis (NCAA investigation ring a bell)- you can understand their trepidation when it comes to current head coach, Larry Fedora.
Kennesaw State Owls Preview
By: TJ Hartnett
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Entering its third year of existence the Kennesaw State University football program, by playing well and providing some big wins for two years, has something it didn’t have before. It has something that, usually, no third-year program has any right to have. It has expectations.
Knights Early Journey
By: Alex Mathis
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
After two weeks, Brandon Derrick’s Knights are 1-1.
Their first game was in Montgomery, Alabama against Parklane Academy of Mississippi.
On top of first game jitters, the Knights faced extreme heat and a very big and talented Parklane team. The Knights kicked off at 230 central time. The on field temperature had to be close to 110 degrees. The Knights started off very sloppy.
Glynn Academy’s Season Opener
By: Christian Goeckel
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The football season in Glynn County began with a resounding thud, as Glynn Academy fell to Benedictine 33-8.
What was expected to be a heavyweight fight became more of a “Who can put the ball on the ground more?”.
Mississippi State Bulldogs Preview
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Richmond Hill’s own Nick Fitzgerald is back for his junior season in Starkville, Mississippi as he leads his Mississippi State Bulldogs into SEC play.
When Fitzgerald played for Richmond Hill he ran the triple option system and dominated Coastal Georgia during his time as the Wildcats starting quarterback. He was rated a three star QB when he signed with the Bulldogs in 2014. Fitzgerald redshirted in 2014 and served as Dak Prescott’s back-up in 2015.
Fitzgerald got his chance in 2016 to be the face of Bulldog football and did not disappoint. Fitzgerald led the Bulldogs to an upset win over No. 4 Texas A&M, recording 391 yards of total offense and scoring 4 total touchdowns, including a 74-yard touchdown run on the Bulldogs’ first offensive play.
In the Egg Bowl, the Bulldogs’ annual season finale against in state rival Ole Miss, Fitzgerald led Mississippi State to a 55-20 victory and accounted for 5 total touchdowns (3 passing 2 rushing) while setting a Mississippi State single game rushing record with 258 yards.
Here is a mind blowing stat; Fitzgerald, who plays QB, was the second leading rusher in the SEC in 2016 with 1375 yards and a 7.1 YPC average.
Derrius Guice of LSU led the SEC with 1387 yards rushing. Fitzgerald had more rushing yards in 2016 than Leonard Fournette, Nick Chubb, and Kamryn Pettway. That is saying a lot folks.
Fitzgerald also passed for 2400 yards. He accounted for 37 TD’s in 2016 (21 passing and 16 rushing) and accounted for 3,800 yards of total offense. Fitzgerald has the perfect skill set to run Dan Mullen’s spread attack in Starkville. Fitzgerald is a developing passer who must improve on his completion percentage. It was 54.3% in 2016.
Offensive line is a huge question mark for the Bulldogs. Donald Gray and Keith Mixon lead the WR group. Farrod Green and Justin Johnson are good TE’s and could be good options as well in the passing game.
Aeris Williams is a solid RB who had 720 yards in 2016 and could take on a bigger role in running game and could take some of the rushing load off Fitzgerald.
Former UGA DC Todd Grantham takes over the MSU defense in 2017. Grantham is the 4th DC in 4 years in Starkville. Grantham has an attacking style and has some players in place to make a difference.
Defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, a former five-star recruit, and linebacker Leo Lewis are both top tier talents in the SEC. Chauncey Rivers road to Starkville was chronicled in Last Chance U and he will provide a spark on defense. Johnathan Abram a UGA transfer will help in the secondary.
The Schedule/Predicted win/loss: The Bulldogs will beat Charleston Southern, Louisiana Tech, UMass, BYU, and Ole Miss who will be beaten to a pulp by the NCAA. That is five sure wins I see.
Losses: I don’t see the Bulldogs beating UGA and Auburn on the road. They will not beat Alabama at home.
So the Bulldogs are sitting at 5-3. Let’s take a look at the toss-up games I see on the MSU schedule:
September 16th LSU in Starkville. I’m not sold on LSU in 2017 yet. Especially at the QB position. I think the Bulldogs get Davis Wade Stadium rocking and pull the upset.
October 21st: Kentucky comes to Starkville in an evenly matched game. Nick Fitzgerald will be the difference and MSU wins.
October 28th @ Texas A&M: MSU upset the Aggies in 2016. That won’t happen in 2017 in College Station.
November 18th @ Arkansas: Tough game for the Bulldogs. I think they find a way to beat Arkansas on the road.
Season Record: 8-4 and 4-4 in the SEC with a Liberty Bowl berth in Memphis.
Georgia State Panthers Preview
By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
As an Atlanta native I’m still getting used to Georgia State having a football program.
The Panthers began playing football in 2010. By comparison Georgia and Georgia Tech’s inaugural season was 1892. Georgia Southern started playing in 1924. So, it’s an understatement to say GA State lacks in tradition.
South Carolina Gamecocks Preview
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
As a college football fan what would you rather see: Your team struggle to a below .500 record and finish near the bottom of your division, but have your in-state rival go through those same pains; or would you want to have a successful season only to see those same rivals win a national title? Basically, is it more important to you that your favorite team wins, or that your least favorite loses?
When it comes the University of South Carolina and their fans, last year was the worst of both those scenarios.
Not only did the Gamecocks finish the season with a record of 6-7 and tied for fifth in the SEC East, but they had to sit and watch the one team they despise more than winning be crowned “Champions”.
