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.

The first possession ended in a punt and the second possession ended in a fumble recovered in the endzone by Parklane.

The Knights battled back to tie the game at 14 but another turnover allowed Parklane to seize the momentum before the half. Parklane did not let up at the start of the second half.

They scored on 5 plays to start the 3rd. That drive took a total of 55 seconds. This did not stop the Knights from playing hard though. Strong play on offense from Rett Thompson, Jaylin Simpson, and Isaiah Jackson helped keep the Knights in the game.

This was very important because at one point if you looked up at the scoreboard it read 49-22.  Frederica’s defense played well on the day. Harry Veal, Deke Jernigan, Santana Clark, and Eric Tatum and Trace Dorminy did a great job making plays on the defensive side of the ball.

The offensive line for Parklane was a difficult task but the boys did the best they could against the mammoth line. The offense accounted for 336 yards and 36 points.

Jaylin Simpson (230 total yards, 141 rushing, 2 TDs) led the Knights in the stat box. Isaiah Jackson (86 yards rushing 1 TD) had a spectacular run to help cut the score deficit in the 4th.

Rett Thompson added a 39-yard touchdown reception in the 4th as well to help keep the Knights in it. Trace Dorminy did a great job coming in at quarterback and found the endzone as well. He had a key quarterback scramble for a touchdown in the 1st quarter. The game did not turn out the way Brandon Derrick would have liked but he is hoping this is the type of game that will motivate his Knights for the rest of the season.

Frederica was very excited to play at home and later in the afternoon for their second game. The Knights faced Holy Spirit Prep and this game got out of hand quickly.

The Knights scored on 4 of their 5 first offensive possessions to start the game. Frederica had scores from Jashawn Sheffield, Avery Cobb, Isaiah Jackson, Deke Jernigan and Santana Clark.

The Knights had two quarterbacks, Jaylin Simpson and Trace Dorminy, who threw for touchdowns.

Defensively, Frederica had a number of players to make plays. Harry Veal led the Knights once again this week. Harry Veal is starting to look like a division 1 backer. Tyler Pierce, Matthew Hagstrom, Josh Meadows, and Lachlan Wood all had amazing games.

The highlight of the night was the young guys getting some playing time. They played with a lot of aggression and gave the Knights some great minutes for 2 quarters. Hopefully these minutes played by the youngsters will give them confidence when their number is called during the season

Next week the Knights travel to Savannah to take on Bethesda. The Knights and Bethesda are 1-1 in the last two years, with the home team winning.

Bethesda always has athletes and size so you never know what type of team will take the field against Frederica. They look to add another notch in the win column.