By: Kipp Branch

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

After a 16 day lay off due to Hurricane Irma the Brunswick High Pirates got back into action on a hot steamy afternoon at Chris Gilman Stadium in Kingsland and beat the Camden County Wildcats 43-27.

The game was therapeutic for the Pirate nation and Glynn County as playing football again meant a return to normalcy regardless of the outcome of the football game.

The Pirates basically had one full day of practice since the state of emergency was declared for Glynn County and many players did not get home until Friday once Glynn County reopened its borders.

All in all despite of all the issues the county has been dealing with the performance was better than expected.

Report Card:

Special Teams: B. The kickoff coverage was pretty good. Dalton Thrift boomed a kickoff into the end zone. When was the last time that happened Pirate nation?

Jaylen Jackson had a nice punt. Not many team’s punter is also your punt returner. Sharrod Frazier almost took a kickoff to the house. Special teams tend to suffer during long layoffs, but this group performed well.

Defense: B-. This unit played very well in first half not giving up a single point and dominated the Camden offense. Sean Ward was knocking skill people around like they had been hit with a Mike Tyson left hook.

George Mincey had a huge sack that forced a missed FG. Sharrod Frazier and Kam Futch caused problem for the Wildcats all day. Futch had a huge interception in the 4th quarter off a deflection caused by Mincey.

This unit did not play well in the third quarter and gave up 21 points in the second half, but sucked it up late as the offense gave them some relief by scoring 3 TD’s in last 15 minutes of action. Pass rush was lacking in 3rd quarter and maybe it was due to layoff. George Mincey is turning into an all-region defensive linemen right before our eyes.

Offense: A. Other than a 99-yard pick six in first half this unit was fantastic.

Jamarius Stevens finished the game 16-of-23 for 229 yards and one interception and also had 54 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.

Jaylen Trimmings led the rushing attack with 118 yards and 2 touchdowns. Frazier added 78 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground in his first action of the season at running back. The one-two punch with Trimmings and Frazier was a thing of beauty to watch as the Pirate offense dominated the Camden defensive front all day long.

If not for penalties this unit may have hung 60 points on the Wildcats. 500 yards of total offense in 90 degree heat was awesome on one full day of practice.

Coaching: A+. The game plan was excellent. This team would have lost this game in 2016 when the adversity of the third quarter hit.

Sean Pender had this team ready to play and it showed when things got tight in second half. The 80-yard drive for a TD when Camden cut it to 29-27 was a sign of the culture shift at BHS. Two TD’s called back on the drive on penalties and this team came through when it felt like the entire world was against BHS was testimony that a new day has come to BHS.

Overall B+. Great win over a team we haven’t beat since the Clinton years; 1999. This team has a chance to be special in 2017

Next up: South Effingham. Will the Pirates play a game on Friday night soon?