By: Alex Mathis

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

The Knights season ended in the semi-finals in heartbreaking fashion.

Many are wondering what is next for the Frederica Academy Knights in the 2017-2018 season?

There will be high expectations for the Frederica again next season. At the last Southern Sports Edition Coaches Show, Brandon Derrick quoted Ric Flair, “If you want to be the man you have to beat the man.” Then he decided to add his own ending, “And we are the man!.”

Coach Derrick is fired up already for next season, and he expects to win it all next season.

The Knights will have to replace some talented seniors who  finished their final season last week. FA will lose 3 offensive linemen, 1 wide receiver, 1 fullback/tightend,  1 defensive lineman, and 2 outside linebackers.

Each of these seniors played a vital role in Frederica’s success this last season. With that being said, the Knights will return some very talented players and return 2 who missed the entire season due to injury.

The Knights’ offense will be just as explosive, if not more, than last season.

Rising seniors Jashawn Sheffield, Isaiah Jackson, and Jaylin Simpson hope to put up more numbers than they did this past season.

Jaylin Simpson was able to rush for over 800 yards and threw for over 800 and Isaiah Jackson rushed for over 600.

These two put up these astonishing numbers while missing 2 games due to the hurricane evacuations.

Jashawn Sheffield will also be ready to put up more numbers than he did last year. He missed 4 games this season due to injury and the hurricane.

He was able to lead the team and catches and receiving yards. Avery Cobb also hopes to make an impact in the Knights offense. Frederica used the tight end position a lot this year.

Trace Dorminy will return for his senior season and hope to make a difference catching and blocking from the tight end position.

The offensive line was led by rising senior senior Michael Tindle. Tindle dominated the entire season.  He will have help front from rising senior Mason Neubauer and junior standout Josh Elliot.

FA will also have Gaven Williams and Patrick Brunson back in the fold.

The quarterback position will have several different packages. Opposing coaches will have their hands full when it comes to game planning against the Knights offense.

Having Patrick Brunson on the field will make the Knights offense better. Patrick is explosive and a threat to score at anytime.

Frederica’s defense will look to start where they left off this season. Everything seemed to be clicking for Ben Burkett’s defense at the end of the season.

Led by Harry Veal, the Knights defense will have a pretty good unit next year. Veal and Deke Jernigan will lead the Knights linebacker group.

FA will have the most talented linebacker group in GISA.

Upfront, Cameron Gardner and Cole Hinson will look to dominate in their senior seasons.

The Knights’ secondary hopes to have a major spark with the return rising senior safety, Patrick Brunson.

Brunson is one of the most talented safeties in South Georgia.

Jaylin Simpson, Jashawn Sheffield, JT Elliott, Isaiah Jackson, and Avery Cobb hope to hinder opposing offenses from beating the Knights through the air.

The Knights have one goal next year, and that is a state championship. FA will have a challenging schedule once again, but Coach Derrick believes his team can handle it and be successful.

This time next year, Brandon Derrick and his Knights expect to be in Mercer hoisting the GISA State Championship Trophy. They expect to be “The Man!”