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.