By: Jeff Doke

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Although it heartbreakingly ended one week from the goal, the 2025 season for the Frederica Knights was one of legend.

As with seemingly every Brandon Derrick-coached squad, the 15th edition of football under the oaks had to do more with less.

Entering the season with around 30 players on the roster, the goal was the same as always; win the region and complete the March to Mercer and a trip to the State Championship game.

The season kicked off with a trip to Savannah and a lightning-delayed matchup with the Savannah Blue Jackets. Junior QB Stanton Beverly threw for three touchdowns, Jaylen Baldwin and Jayden Gibson added two scores on the ground, and the Knights defense took a shutout late into the fourth quarter and left Chatham County with a season opening 34-7 win.

Problems with the weather continue into week two, when lightning in the area once again impacted play, this time delaying and eventually canceling the game against West Nassau with minutes left in the first quarter and a 14-7 deficit on the scoreboard. The controversial loss would impact the Knights and their playoff seeding later in the season.

A pair of familiar foes were on tap for weeks three and four. The Valwood Valiants would stretch their win streak against the Knights to 5 games in the form of a painful 33-14 home loss, while the Tiftarea Panthers would fall to Frederica a week later in a complete team effort 24-21 come-from-behind 4th quarter victory.

Week Five came in the form of a painful road loss to Stratford Academy. A pair of red zone INTs cost the Knights a comeback attempt as they fell to the Eagles 28-13. The game was a catalyst for Frederica, however, as they went on to finish the regular season on a five-game win streak.

After a 42-13 dismantling of Brookwood, the Knights traveled to Lyons, GA to give Robert Toombs a 28-12 defeat, as well as give Coach Brandon Derrick his 100th career win as a head coach.

Region play started with a highly satisfying 35-20 home win against the hated Bulloch Academy Gators and continued with wins against the Pinewood Patriots to the tune of 28-14 and the annual shellacking of St Andrews: the 49-16 victory being the second largest win margin in the history of the rivalry.

With the regular season wrapped up, region honors were handout and the Knights were very well represented. All in all, eight Frederica players were given All Region honors – Fuller Wimberly, Gavin Grantham, Jaylen Baldwin, Eli Middleton, Jayden Gibson, JC Wessel, Eric Alford, and Hudson Carter. Stanton Beverly was unanimously selected as Region Player of the Year.

Once the playoffs were set, the Knights drew the 5th seed, which meant a first round bye and a second-round matchup on the road, again Valwood. This was a tough draw, considering the Valiants had knocked Frederica out of the playoffs the previous two seasons, but the Knights responded with a game for the ages.

With the game tied 14-14 at the half, Beverly and Gibson led the Knights to a 28-21 win in front of possibly the loudest and largest road crowd the Frederica Faithful has ever produced.

Making it to the Final Four for the 6th time under Coach Derrick, the Knights’ March to Mercer would once again end at the hands of GIAA powerhouse John Milledge Academy with a 35-7 final score.

While it’s always heartbreaking for the seniors that won’t get another chance at a title, the fact that the majority of the offensive skill players and defensive playmakers are juniors and sophomores gives the Frederica family well-founded hope that the 16th season of football under the oaks will wind up with the hoisting of a third state championship trophy